I am a Black man who was born to a Black mother. As far as I know, Mama Young was Black (I don’t know about nor is this about Papa Speed), I got my name and most of my game from my mother. Yes, I had positive male influences in my life, such as my stepdad. However, I owe most of who I am today to Mama Young. I wouldn’t have two amazing sons had I not met their mother. Many of my closest friends are women, and most of them are Black women. Now, I’m not perfect. I’ve used pejoratives (and engaged in some toxic masculinity in my younger days). However, I’m always up for uplifting Black women even if I wasn’t always the uplifting force myself.

When I received KOTO?’s “StrongBlackHair,” I knew I had to give it both a listen and a spotlight to shine in. A jazz rap-like song featuring Soft Eyez, “SBH” pays homage to Black women as a whole. Its positivity oozes out of every lyric and every word. I really enjoyed the many aspects of Black womanhood that the artists touched on here. I also love how the production allows, like many pieces I post about do, listeners to hone in on what’s being said–not just what it’s being said over. Conceptually, it’s like a mix between Joey Bada$$ and Noname’s positive takes with a dash of “Keep Ya Head Up.” That mix makes this one palatable to both mainstream and underground/more conscious-leaning audiences. If you want your pro-Blackness to have a healthy dose of pro-Black women, this one’s for you. It’s beautifully done and still manages to be a bop.

Check out the track below and support dope music in all its forms. Also, and more importantly, uplift and protect women (especially Black women).