Freed through Love- Mixtape

Freed through love

Zyria Babineaux

Zyria Babineaux

Dr. Harris

English 2017

5/1/2025

Freed Through Love: A Mixtape Inspired by bell hooks’ Salvation


In Salvation: Black People and Love, bell hooks argues that love is a radical, redemptive force, one that is vital for healing, transformation, and liberation in the lives of Black people. Love, according to hooks, is not simply an emotion, but a practice grounded in care, truth, commitment, and justice. It must begin with the self, extend to community, and be rooted in healing from both historical and personal pain. This mixtape, Freed Through Love, explores how music captures and expresses these aspects of love as a redemptive and liberating power. Each of the 13 selected tracks reflects different elements of hooks’s philosophy, creating a sonic journey that mirrors her call for love as a healing and revolutionary act.

The mixtape opens with Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright,” an anthem of survival and hope in the face of systemic violence. It centers love as a sustaining force during times of racial oppression. Erykah Badu’s “Bag Lady” follows with a message about letting go of emotional baggage, symbolizing the internal work required to be free enough to love and be loved.

India.Arie’s “I Am Light” provides a powerful affirmation of self-worth and spiritual identity. It speaks to the importance of self-love as a foundation for personal liberation. Andra Day’s “Rise Up” continues the theme of inner strength, portraying love as the motivation to persist despite pain and hardship.

Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” expresses sorrow, hope, and longing, all grounded in a deep love for community and justice. Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl” is a celebration of Black beauty and identity. It promotes self-love by affirming the value and dignity of Black women, countering the harmful messages often perpetuated in society.

Common and John Legend’s “Glory” connects love to social change, portraying it as the emotional foundation for activism and justice. Jill Scott’s “Golden” expands this idea through the lens of joy and self-expression. It presents living authentically and joyfully as an act of liberation.

Lizzo’s “Good as Hell” reinforces the importance of confidence and self-care, suggesting that loving oneself is essential for breaking cycles of dependency or emotional harm. Stevie Wonder’s “Love’s in Need of Love Today” speaks to the urgent need for compassion and connection in a world full of division and fear.

Queen Latifah’s “U.N.I.T.Y.” addresses gender-based violence and demands respect for women, showing how love also acts as protection, empowerment, and a call for justice. Floetry’s “Say Yes” emphasizes vulnerability, emotional presence, and the power of mutual consent in relationships, demonstrating the importance of intentional, caring love.

Finally, J. Cole’s “Be Free” closes the mixtape with a raw, emotional plea for liberation. It embodies grief and resistance, showing that love is not only tenderness, but also rage and the desire to protect Black life.

Together, these songs reflect the message of Salvation that love, in its many forms, is the foundation for healing and liberation. Freed Through Love uses music to express this transformative power and celebrate love as a revolutionary force.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Love of a Woman -Mixtape

  Terrolyn Woodridge   Professor Harris  ENGL 2017  29 April 2025  Love of a Woman  By the end of Salvation, bell hook stated that she still sees rap and R&B artists as people  who work against love ethics. However, I believe that many of those artists use music as a way  to either express issues in pursuing love ethic or their journey in achieving love ethic. In the  novel, hook explored how black women have been described to have many different roles in love  ethics and the search for liberation. I will use music to show different examples of songs that  show the different roles women play in love ethics and the search for liberation.  Mama Love   • "A Song for Mama" - Boyz II Men  • "Superwoman" - Alicia Keys  • “I’ll Be There” - Mac Miller, Phonte  Hook believed that we should look towards single mothers when looking for examples of  love ethic, though I don’t believe that single mothe...
Read more

Untitled Podcast

  Untitled= Podcast A’Shyria Montgomery African American Literature Professor Harris 5/6/2025 Major Project While reading the book Sula, many questions pondered my mind about mother/daughter relationships. By having my great-grandmother still in my life, it hit me to do a project about generational love being passed down throughout generations. Throughout the interview, we get different views of being loved differently. Sitting down for an interview with my great- grandmother, grandmother, and mother was more than just a conversation—it was a journey through generations of love, resilience, and wisdom. As each person spoke, their words wove a tapestry of care and strength, revealing how deeply love had shaped their lives and how intentionally they had passed it down. As a black teenage girl, receiving love within your family especially from your mother is very hard to receive. I wanted to get the point of view of them getting love from one another. Hearing each person's answer and ...
Read more

Untitled- Mixtape

  Victoria Jones ENGL2017 Dr. Harris May 1, 2025 Major Project The aspect of Love and Liberation that I will discuss is the practice of self-love and self-acceptance. bell hooks describe love ethics as a form of freedom and expression that all individuals should utilize in order to prosper, but it is always an option. To me, in order to achieve love ethics, people must first love themselves, find peace within, and accept life for what it is. Internal love is more than just self love because all love reveals itself externally. What happens on the inside is what’s displayed on the outside. Peoples’ principles, ideals, perspectives, and even love experiences change for the better when they truly love themselves first. It provides a sense of freedom and a form of relief. I have created a mixtape that pushes self-confidence, inner peace, loving what is given and even religious aspects of how one can properly grow in a space that is called life.   My first song is “...
Read more