Friday, May 8 was supposed to be Ahmaud Arbery’s26th birthday. On February 23 of this year, Arbery’s life was tragically cut short. Out for a jog near his home in Brunswick, Georgia, Arbery was senselessly killed by two white males who claimed they thought he was a burglary suspect. Over two months went by without any charges filed against Gregory and Travis McMichael in Arbery’s fatal shooting. Earlier this week, a video of the encounter went viral, provoking an uproar. People all over the world demanded justice from authorities for Arbery’s death. Finally, on Thursday, May 7, the father and son were charged with murder and aggravated assault.
As a tribute to Arbery on his birthday, many people across the globe ran 2.23 miles yesterday and documented their route on social media using the hashtag #IRunWithMaud. To learn more visit runwithmaud.com.
We want to encourage our readers to keep running; it doesn’t stop here. Our team compiled a playlist of 15 songs about peace, love and freedom for your next run. We hope these tracks motivate and inspire.
Check out the playlist below (Spotify-curated playlist at the bottom):
1. Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar – Freedom
‘Freedom’ was released in 2016 as part of Beyoncé’s groundbreaking visual album Lemonade. The powerful collaboration made a splash when it hit the airwaves.
2. Selena Gomez – Kill Em With Kindness
‘Kill Em With Kindness’ was the fourth single off Gomez’s second studio albumRevivalreleased in 2015.
3. The Black Eyed Peas – Where Is The Love?
‘Where Is The Love?’ marked Fergie’s debut with the group. The song became a movement, reaching number #1 on the Billboard charts as the lead single off 2003’s Elephunk.
4. Public Enemy – Fight The Power
‘Fight The Power’ was released as a single in 1989 and used for the theme of Spike Lee‘sDo the Right Thing. The revolutionary song became an anthem for its strong political statements.
5. Pharrell Williams – Freedom
‘Freedom’ came out as a single in 2015. The lively tune made an impact with its woke message and Grammy-nominated music video.
6. 2Pac feat. Talent – Changes
‘Changes’ appeared in 1998, two years after Tupac died. Sampling Bruce Hornsby, the song promoted positive changes for our society.
7. The Game feat. Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Diddy, Fabolous, Wale, DJ Khaled, Swizz Beatz, Yo Gotti, Curren$y, Problem, King Pharaoh & TGT – Don’t Shoot
‘Don’t Shoot’ debuted in 2014 as a direct response to the shooting of Michael Brown at Ferguson. Several hip-hop artists came together to make it happen.
8. BoDeans – Closer to Free
‘Closer to Free’ materialized in 1993 as a single off BoDeans’ fifth studio album. Many are familiar with the track as the theme song of the TV show Party of Five.
9. The Staple Singers – Freedom Highway
‘Freedom HIghway’ was released in 1965 as the title track off The Staple Singers’ album of the same name. The upbeat song references the murder of Emmett Till.
10. Tracy Chapman – Talkin’ Bout a Revolution
‘Talkin’ Bout a Revolution’ came out in 1988 as the second single off Chapman’s debut album. She was only sixteen when she wrote the socially-conscious tune.
11. Various Artists – Freedom (Theme from Panther)
‘Freedom’ emerged in 1995 as the theme for the film Panther. Two versions of the song were produced, one soul and one rap. The video above combines the two. The creation of the track was like a ‘We Are The World’ for the hip-hop & soul ladies of the 90s including Aaliyah, TLC, Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah and Salt-N-Pepa among many others.
12. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On
‘What’s Going on’ showed up in 1971 as the title track off Gaye’s concept album of the same name. The song was a sincere response to injustice.
13. The Youngbloods – Get Together
‘Get Together’ arrived as a single in 1967. The track was a compassionate call for peace.
14. Common & John Legend – Glory (From the Motion Picture Selma)
‘Glory’ transpired in 2014 as the theme song for the film Selma. The Collaboration touched on themes from theCivil Rights Movement that are still prevalent in society today.
15. Cast of RENT – Seasons Of Love
‘Seasons Of Love’ surfaced in 1996 as a track from the Broadway musical Rent. The song features the entire cast and reminds us that the best way to measure a year in life is to measure in love.
