Last night (Dec. 5), the world was struck with the saddening news of Nelson Mandela’s passing. As we mourn his death and look back on his unbelievable achievements in helping break down apartheid and racism in South Africa, we can see how his unshakable faith in the ideal of peace helped shape not only the world around him, but the culture that came after.
We picked ten songs that Mandela would be proud of, whether it was for their specific message or their ideological thrust, because even though Mandela is gone, his dedication will ripple through generations for centuries to come.
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Tupac – Dear Mama
This might be Pac’s most touching and loving song in his entire catalog. Mandela was definitely an advocate for peace and family values. Why wouldn’t he had loved this track?
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Snoop Lion Feat. Drake and Cori B – No Guns Allowed
Snoop Lion had a spiritual epiphany and became a Rasta, and it led to “No Guns Allowed”, a plead for less violence and a more humanistic approach to our global problems. Mandela would have definitely been down with this song.
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Dead Prez – Walk Like A Warrior
Dead Prez vocalizes a lot of the frustration that helped fuel the disintegration of apartheid in South Africa, and this song conveys the feeling that Dead Prez constantly walk around with these problems plaguing their lives. Mandela always had a similar sadness to him, but he forged a path like a true leader for all the people that believed in him.
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Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie – Stop Racism
When the Golden Age godfathers came together for a movement to speak out against racism, it showed how important individual figures can be when they resist the status quo. It wouldn’t be surprising if Mandela heard of this track while he was alive.
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Dizzy Wright – World Peace
The Funk Volume member talks about struggle, having fans across the world, and representing bigger ideas in “World Peace.” A struggle that Mandela can certanly relate to.
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Sir Ibu – I’m The Peacemaker
The aesthetic might be explosive, but Sir Ibu was reaching out to all kinds of people in his rhymes to “open up your eyes and organize”. Mandela would have definitely gotten behind the raw truth of Sir Ibu’s powerful song.
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Ghostface Killah – All That I Got Iz You
Ghost says a lot of crazy stuff on his records but the most heartwarming moment is his ode to his mother. It’s easy to imagine Mandela sharing the same sentiment.
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Nas & Damian Marley – Patience
Mandela knew a thing or two about patience – he served a prison bid of 27 years, and when he released, he didn’t exhibit an ounce of bitterness. He was so resolute in his beliefs and decided to make peace with his enemies.
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Outkast Feat. Cee-Lo – In Due Time
It’s less about the specific lyrics of the song than the overall message – that in due time, everything will work out if you do the right thing. Mandela showed that kind of patient faith in prison, and it made him a worldwide icon.
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Tupac – Keep Your Head Up
No explanation needed!
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