We Looked at Kamala Harris’ Black Music Month Playlist and Here’s What We Found

Kamala Harris, the junior Democratic U.S. senator from California, released a Spotify playlist in honor of Black Music Month on Tuesday, featuring 50 of her favorite tracks from black artists in the genres of rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, hip-hop, rap, soul, pop, reggae and funk, allowing us a peek into her personality and what gets her moving.

“Our nation has an indelible soundtrack, songs that have become anthems recognized across the world. Much of that soundtrack is inspired and informed by the vast contributions of African-American artists in jazz, R&B, rap, hip-hop and beyond,” Harris said. “No matter where you are from or what you look like, music is a bond that can bring us all together. To celebrate African-American music is to dance, sing and even march to the rhythms that have long served as vehicles for honesty, inspiration, struggle, success and joy.”

Looking at this playlist lets me know one thing: Harris never experienced the struggle of having her mama wake her up on a Saturday morning with old-school music playing in preparation for a day of scrubbing walls and mopping floors. She is, however, a Tribe lover and someone who has a favorite song for every mood. I want to know her.

Overall, the list is pretty solid, and I’m here for it:

Things get off to a good start with Tribe. I can see Kamala rocking to this with her bamboo earrings and her overalls with the airbrushed picture of herself on the front.

I imagine Kamala changes the lyrics of this to talk about her rise in American government.

Hmm. Is Kamala into tardiness and not showing up to events? Just kidding. I actually like this song by Lauryn, so I’ll let it slide.

People give Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino, a hard time, but he’s actually pretty solid, and this song is for the redbones, of whom Kamala is one.

Eh.

This is super old-school, and not a common pick on anyone’s list, so I’ll give her points for this one.

I got tired of this song the same year it was out because they played it so. damn. much. I don’t see how anyone else didn’t get tired of it, too, but Kamala has to play this in preparation for going to meet with anyone from the GOP. It keeps her from snapping.

Now we’re getting somewhere. This is a California rap classic. Every person from California should have this song on her or his playlist.

This tells us that Kamala is not here for your bullshit, and even if she has to tolerate it, she’s going to flick you off like so much dirt off her shoulder when she’s done.

Clearly, Kamala twerks in her mirror when no one is looking.

I’ll bet Kamala has this song on repeat in her car. With everything that’s happening in our country right now, this song sums up pretty much every black person’s feelings.

Queen. I see you.

This is what Kamala plays to get her happy on. Maybe while she’s sweeping the bathroom.

Hamilton is everything. Has Kamala seen it? She probably has. Lucky heffa.

I’m over Stevie and his Black Lives Matter comments, so nawl.

This is how you know Kamala is a little militant on the inside. Nina Simone is everything.

Remember that scene in Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts was singing this in the bathtub? I imagine Kamala singing this just as off-key while working on the elliptical, not caring that everyone in the gym is staring at her like she’s crazy.

Yessssssssssssss. “My life. My Life. MY LIFE.” Kamala sings this while she is on her way to Senate meetings. It’s her sphere of protection against the bullshit.

Clearly, Kamala for president and Chance for VP in 2020.

This is Kamala’s theme music as she walks through the halls of the Capitol.

This is a reggae classic. I bet Kamala knows all the words, too. She probably puts on her head wrap and sings it into her hairbrush microphone like we all do. Oh, we don’t all do that?

It’s Janelle, and that’s all that needs to be said. We see you, Kamala.

Kamala wants you all to humble yourselves. That much is clear.

This, too, is a twerk anthem. Even more so than the Nicki one from earlier. In fact, the first spoken line in this song is “You gotta shake yo’ ass.” We see you, Kamala. We see you.

I don’t know them and Kamala does, so obviously, I need to get my life together.

Yay, Area! Kamala is letting us know she represents the Bay in every way. Why else would she pick the God Earl Stevens out of all the available Bay Area rappers? Now we just need to see her get hyphy.

This is classic Cameo. Everyone should have this on their playlist. Kamala knows.

Not the best Aaliyah song, but still a classic.

Classic Badu from the first album.

I don’t know her.

In which Kamala reminds us that she went to Howard University. Get into it.

LOL.

This is a message to the old white men in Congress.

This is Kamala letting us know that she is just a regular degular girl doing big things in the Senate.

I’ve got nothing.

Still got nothing.

Kamala dances to this in her socks so she can slide across the floor.

Lady Day. This is classic. Kamala gets the blues, but she sings her way out of it.

Kamala hits the high notes when she sings this; you just know it.

Because clearly Kamala does that shoulder dance when it gets to that part.

Kamala sings this when she’s wrapped up in her feelings.

This is what Kamala sings when her hair is all wild before she combs it smoothly into place.

Jidenna is sexy and should be on all our playlists. Kamala knows this.

Clearly Kamala is a Tribe fan. Ayyyyyyyyyyy.

Kamala is choreographing a routine to this so she can sing it to Donald Trump when we finally get him the fuck up out of here.

John Legend to round it out. Because of course.