“New Negro” Mixtape
Tamarra Robinson
Dr. Jaleesa Harris
African American Literature I
7 December 2025
“New Negro” Mixtape
The Harlem Renaissance was a time period that allowed blacks to express themselves without the impact from the whites. Alain Locke was a writer, philosopher, and educator. He wrote the “New Negro” in 1925 to show that had changed. The old negro was not seen to be as a human, but the new negro would be seen and heard and treated like human beings. “With this renewed self-respect and self-dependence, the life of the Negro community is bound to enter a new dynamic phase…” (Locke 1925). This mixtape will show the evolution from the old negro to the new negro, starting with the Harlem Renaissance.
“The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” by Gil Scott-Heron. This is a poem that has a musical background. The reason for choosing this is because it tells how individuals should change their mindset internally. In the text, Locke speaks on the new negros mindset being different as they do not want to be know as “mammies”. They want to be treated as equals.
“To Be Young, Gifted, and Black” by Nina Simone. This song talks about being young and black and to be empowered. The new negro sees that there is new tradition to be progressive and not remain in the same mindset as the people before them.
“I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free” by Nina Simone. Growing up blacks were not free, even after slavery. They were still used as maids and servants. The new negro wanted to be free from everything, while the old negro was content with how things were.
“Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday. Even with the Harlem Renaissance, there was still racial terror and segregation. There was no real unity between some blacks and many whites. The new negros wanted unity and new traditions instead of sitting and letting anything happen, especially lynchings like listed in the song.
“A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke. The title of this song speaks for itself. The new negros wanted change. They understood themselves enough to know that things needed to change and they needed to be treated better, and were not gonna sit around and continue being treated as unhuman.
“They Don’t Care About Us” by Michael Jackson. People did not care about each other, especially when it came to the whites not caring about the blacks. The new negro knows and understands this and are tired of being treated as such.
“Keep Your Head To The Sky” by Earth, Wind, & Fire. “For the younger generation is vibrant with new psychology; the new spirit is awake in the masses…” (Locke 1925). This song has a message of being hopeful and looking to a better and brighter future for themselves and the people they love.
“Man In The Mirror” by Michael Jackson. The text talks about the self-respect that the new negros find for themselves, and that is what this song represents. The new negro knew that something needed to be changed in themselves to then be able to change the things around them.
“Keep Your Head Up” by Tupac. Once the new negro can change the traditions and make more positive things happen, then they need to continue and stay strong. They are showing the old negros how to not give up and be resilient when it comes to racial injustice.
“What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye. This song is about war and social injustice for the soldiers who were fighting in the war. The old negros are set the ways of doing as they are told and that means fighting in the wars that do not benefit them.
“Black Parade” by Beyonce. This is a current song to show the power and resilience by Blacks, and that is what the new negros wanted. They wanted unity in the community of Blacks to stand against the whites and the way they were treated by them.
“Alright” by Kendrick Lamar. This is another song about resilience which is what the new negros have, and the old negros are afraid for the old traditions to change, because they are not sure what would happen if they became resilient.
“Freedom” by Beyonce ft. Kendrick Lamar. Everyone wanted to be free and to continue to be free. The old negros were content as they were free from being slaves during this time period, but they were not free from oppression and racial injustice. The new negros wanted freedom from the racial injustice, and wanted to be treated equally.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6NsyoAzFudNqGkOBvdWmcp?si=ab8a88645e9b4674
References
Kerry, John. “Alain Locke on the “New Negro” (1925).” The American Yawp, 1925, https://www.americanyawp.com/reader/22-the-new-era/alain-locke-on-the-new-negro-1925/. Accessed 7 December 2025.
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