Mixtape Reflection: Embracing Identity and Authenticity

 Aleesha Davis 

Professor Harris 

ENGL2016-4598

 11/29/25 

Mixtape Reflection: Embracing Identity and Authenticity 

Langston Hughes’s essay “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain” really inspired this mixtape and made me think about how important it is for people to embrace who they are. In his essay, Hughes talks about how Black artists often feel pressure to fit into white standards of beauty, art, and success. He encourages artists to be proud of who they are and their culture, instead of trying to change themselves to be accepted by others. This mixtape is meant to show that same message through music. All the songs celebrate identity, pride, and staying true to yourself even when society puts pressure on you. The songs show different ways to be proud of who you are and where you come from. Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” talks about loving yourself just the way you are and not letting anyone else’s opinions affect you. Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl” celebrates Black beauty and tells people to be proud of their skin, hair, and heritage. Kendrick Lamar’s “The Blacker the Berry” talks about the struggle between how people see you and how you see yourself. This fits Hughes’s idea that Black artists often have to deal with expectations from society but can turn that struggle into something strong, meaningful, and creative. Other songs, like Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” and Katy Perry’s “Rise”, are about staying strong, keeping hope, and not giving up no matter what challenges you face. They show that even when life is hard or people try to put you down or tell you who to be, you can still rise above it and succeed. Beyoncé’s “Freedom” and J. Cole’s “Be Free” are about freedom, speaking up, and being yourself. They show how important it is to express yourself, stand your ground, and be proud of who you are, even if it isn’t what everyone else expects. India.Arie’s “I Am Not My Hair” talks about not judging someone by how they look or what they choose to wear. This matches Hughes’s idea that people shouldn’t have to follow other people’s standards to be accepted or respected. Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” and Kendrick Lamar’s “DNA.” show how society tries to control people, but they also show pride, confidence, and strength in being yourself. These songs show that challenges and expectations can be turned into power and pride instead of shame. This mixtape fits together because all the songs share a clear message: be proud of who you are and don’t let anyone else tell you to change. They show that the struggles we face like pressure to fit in, act a certain way, or follow someone else’s rules can actually help us grow stronger, smarter, and more creative. Hughes says this in his essay, and these songs show it through music, lyrics, and performance. Overall, this mixtape teaches that our identity should always be celebrated. Every song encourages listeners to be proud of where they come from, stay true to themselves, and keep going even when things are hard or feel unfair. It shows that struggles and challenges don’t have to stop us. Instead, they can help us find our voice, build confidence, be creative, and feel proud of who we are as individuals. 

Mixtape playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0zaoK8mf82SwduL9GuWFTI?si=PFN8MDt0T1KCy6IXmCKvJw 

Works Cited: Hughes, Langston. “The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain.” The Nation, 23 June 1926, pp. 692–94.  

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