Alain Locke “New Negro” Mixtape

 Aaniyah Peace

Dr. Jaleesa Harris

African American Lit

3/1/2026

Alain Locke “New Negro” Mixtape

         Alain Locke was an educator, writer, and philosopher that played a big role in the Harlem Renaissance. The Harlem Renaissance was a movement that allowed black people to grow culturally, artistically, and intellectually. Starting in the 1920s, the Harlem Renaissance really was a period of change for black people. This inspired Alain Locke to write the “New Negro”. This passage was written to show the difference between past times and now. Locke felt like the “old negro” was a stereotype created by racism and oppression. The old negro wasn’t seen as human but more of a problem than a person. The “new negro” is representing a new coming of age where black people are growing. It meant independence, being able to become leaders, and expressing themselves by showing their true identity without being seen as what the world portrays them to be. This mixtape is made up of songs that represent the meaning behind the new negro, and it will show how music can be very meaningful and represent different time periods of the world even if it was created by different artists at different times.

Track 1: Respect – Aretha Franklin
 In this song she is demanding respect which also represents how Locke emphasizes self-respect and independence, by highlighting Black women’s voices.

Track 2: Formation – Beyoncé
 Beyoncé made this song to celebrate Southern Black culture. This song represents black identity and pride. For example she says “I dream it, I work hard, I grind till I own it”.

Track 3: We Shall Overcome – The freedom singers
 This anthem shows the shift from black people being looked at as a problem, and how they want to move forward. “We shall overcome” represents how they need to work together in order to move forward which represents the new negro.

Track 4: The story of O.J. – JAY-Z

Jay-Z’s song represents the old negro by expressing that no matter what color you are or what type of person you are, black people are still black regardless. It shows how white people looked at the old negro.

Track 5: Victory Lap – Nipsey Hussle

This song shows how Nipsey Hussle is doing what he can to make sure he gets bigger and that he makes it. This is similar to the “New Negro” because it shows how he is expressing himself. At the end of the song it says “we gotta make it” showing that they won’t be stuck in the same spot forever.

Track 6: Mississippi Goddam – Nina Simone
 Nina’s tone is bold and somewhat angry which reflects a how she felt about everything that was happening in that time. It shows how the New Negro is outspoken and aware of what is going on.

Track 7: We Are Here – Alicia Keys
 It says “we are here” many times which shows that black people are working together to achieve their goals. This song aligns with Locke’s idea that the “problem” has become a “task” and they will work together to achieve what they want.

Track 8: U.N.I.T.Y. – Queen Latifah
 This is another song that demands respect demands respect, reflecting self-definition and is uplifting for black people. It shows that even after time has passed the “new negro” is still thriving and won’t settle.

Track 9: All My Life -- Lil Durk feat. J.cole

This song represents the struggles black people have been through over time. The lyrics say “they couldn’t break me, they couldn’t take me” which shows how the New Negro fights for their equality because they are just as human.

Track 10: I Can’t Breathe – H.E.R.
 Shows how the old negro was looked at based on the color of their skin and it kind of portrays how people still look at black people based on the stereotypes from the past.

Track 11: Sky Walker – Miguel feat Travis Scott

The lyrics in this song show that there will be a better ending eventually, and I think that represents the new negro by how they decided to use the Harlem Renaissance to re build themselves for a change.

Track 12: Good as Hell – Lizzo
 It shows how you should love yourself and embrace you, which shows how the new negro was able to come out of what people thought about them and embrace who they really are.

Track 13: Black Effect – The Carters

Represents how black people are treated but it also talks about them being higher and better than that which represents exactly what the new negro is.

 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5gEnetjkysn1Whk52dfanP?si=LoOo2SZHTpiwMwbj8XWGFA

 

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