"Don't hide your shine - yea, you got it- that black girl glow!" Throughout history, we see the strength, magic, power and brilliance of Black gxrls of all ages. Here's an anthem written, produced and led by Black gxrls across 3 generations.
THE STORY
In recording a segment called “Throw Shine on Black History,” we created a chant about that Black Girl Magic with then 9 and 10 year olds Lily & Maya. They went home and penned the first lyrics for this song in March 2018, asking us to create a song for the next album for them. Consider this just a few stars of the epic universe of powerful black womxn and gxrls from the Rockers community. Stars like choreographer Samara Atkins, choir director Rhonda Crane, our studio mate MADlines, up and coming producer Allie Howard, Oakland's famed RyanNicole, and superstar Honey Mahogany bring the delight to an anthem song of our time. Sing along with it - honor all the many black people whose brilliance, excellence and magic create the sparkle of powerful love.
lyrics
HOOK (Samara Atkins)
Don’t hide your shine, just let it flow Yea you got it—that black girl glow Now is the time to let them know That’s it right there—that black girl glow
VERSE
(Lillian Ellis and Maya Fleming) Straight and curls that’s my world Even if its short, I’m a beautiful girl That’s who I am, that’s who I’m gonna be Doing my hair with my family
(Samara Atkins)
Surround myself
With amazing black people
Can't Stop Won't Stop
til we're all equal
Bringing that rawness
Realness, focus
Staying on my grind to deliver that ---- dopeness
(MADlines)
Gotta thank my lucky stars
‘cause I’m so in tune
like a flower in Spring
all I do is bloom
MAGICAL
not too much
bright like moon
look don’t touch
(RyanNicole)
Gravity giving
Sanity bringing you back down
To earth the maternal
Reflections eternal
We back now
The magic is real from head to toe Facts
I’d let you feel (but) the fro too ill for that!
CHORUS
One for the magic
Two for the flow
Voila!
There she go!
One for the magic
Two for the flow
Voila!
There they go!
One for the magic
Two for the flow
Voila!
There we go with it
There we grow with it!
There we glow with it
Ha. We go!
HOOK
Black Girl Magic
Activate that black girl magic
VERSE
(Lillian Ellis and Maya Fleming):
You know people get judged for who they are
But just remember -- you’re a star
Yea - you got it - It’s not an illusion
(MADlines)
Big up yourself
If you feelin kinda low
Speak your truth
Go ‘head and let em know
(I love my reflection) I love my complexion x2
(RyanNicole)
Big small skinny thick
Light dark whatever it is
You lit cuz you the light
Don’t dim your glow
Shine, shine it bright
Get it girl, get it get girl
From the hills, the flats the city girl
It’s your world betta show em how to run it Stay True to your heart, never turn from it If you dance baby go Ailey
you ballin, shoot daily
Go hard cuz Your gift it go crazy
You can code it, Vogue it, presidential POTUS, do it all at once just own it
Imma look u eye 2 eye hold you to your greatness
U can guarantee w me no fakeness
Im proud already, see ya style already,
all my girls (who) leading the crowd y’all ready?
Wear ur crown nice (n) steady
Yeah yeah you got it
There’s no doubt about it
CHORUS
credits
from The Love (GRAMMY®-nominated),
released August 8, 2019
CREDITS
Featuring Samara Atkins, RyanNicole, MADlines, Honey Mahogany, Lillian Ellis & Maya Fleming. Written by Samara Atkins, Maddy Clifford, Lillian Ellis, Maya Fleming, Alexandra Howard, Ryan Nicole Austin (Ryan Nico LE Publishing, ASCAP), Honey Mahogany (BMI), administered by Letter Kay ASCAP
Produced by Alexandra Howard. Vocals produced and arranged by Jeff Kolhede. Vocals: Samara Atkins, MADlines, Lillian Ellis, Maya Fleming, RyanNicole, Honey Mahogany, Rhonda Crane. Programming: Alexandra Howard. Recorded at Zoo Labs, Oakland with engineer Jeff Kolhede.
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