Richardine Bartee
Last year, a new podcast called, #CareFreeBlackGirl produced by an upstart recording artist named Quanna and the Indie Creative Network founder Wize Grazette, invited me to their show. During my time on the podcast, we talked about current events, celebrities, the Recording Academy (before I became a member) and more. There have been opportunities to appear on other podcasts in the past and since then, but the angle wasn’t appealing. Personally, I saw something different in them as a union. The podcasters have changed since my interview, but still, there are a group of young women with different views on various topics. I think it is healthy to have constructive debates in media. Not everyone can identify with one person—all the time.
Less than a month ago, I texted Quanna about the idea of collaborating on a video playlist that she thinks describes what black beauty is to her and her brand. After watching St Beauty’s video, listening to their debut project, it sparked the idea. Personally, when I think of black beauty, it spans the universe, so I thought it would be awesome to have a lifestyle brand that focuses on the growth of black people through entrepreneurship, women empowerment, and the arts to comment on the following. Here’s a list of their selections.
‘Crush On You’ by Lil Kim exudes everything carefree Black and girl. She made coloured wigs and bold colours mainstream. Taking looks deemed ghetto to haute couture! – Ivy
‘Golden’ by Jill Scott expresses the mindset of a carefree black girl and boy, which is to live their life like it’s golden despite all setback and difficult circumstances. – Duresny
‘Window Seat’ by Erykah Badu – Erykah strips herself while walking down the street despite the crowd and what people may think. To me, that represents self-love and being carefree. – Daaj
‘Make Me Feel’ by Janelle Monáe – Janelle always has beautiful black imagery in her visuals but I love how free she was sexually and creatively in Make Me Feel. She showed the world bisexuality in a classy carefree way. – Quanna
‘Supermodel’ by SZA – The song speaks about having the power to take control of your self-confidence and striving in spite of obstacles which is what the carefree movement is about. The video itself shows her walking out in the Forrest of young black girls and embracing it. – #CareFreeBlackGirl
