2024 The Root 100 Ultimate Music Playlist

Now in its 15th year, The Root 100 List is packed with some of the best and brightest in the Black community in 2024. While there are plenty of athletes, actors, and politicians on the list, it’s hard to deny the impact music artists have had on the culture this year as well.

From Beyoncé’s “Freedom,” chosen as the official campaign theme for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential election, to Shaboozey’s record-breaking reign at the top of the charts, Black people continue to make music that brings everyone together.

In honor of this year’s The Root 100 list, we’ve rounded up some of the best songs from some of our favorite artists. Trust us, you’ll want to have this list on repeat all day.

Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us”

One of the best things to come out of the Kendrick Lamar – Drake beef was Lamar’s hit single “Not like us.” The diss track not only solidified Lamar’s place among hip-hop’s greats, it also earned him five Grammy nominations, including record and song of the year.

Beyoncé (with Kendrick Lamar) – “Freedom”

Beyoncé’s “Freedom‘, a song on her 2016 hit album ‘Lemonade’, was a theme for many of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests following the killing of George Floyd. But the song got new life in 2024 when it became the hit official song of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.

Alicia Keys – “You Don’t Know My Name”

“You don’t know my name” was the lead single from Alicia Keys’ second album, “The Diary of Alicia Keys.” Released in 2003, Keys’ collaboration with co-producer Kanye West earned her a GRAMMY for best R&B song.

Jennifer Hudson – “Spotlight”

Jennifer Hudson’s 2008 song “In the spotlight” was the first single from her self-titled debut album. The song, co-written by Ne-Yo Hudson earned Grammy nominations for Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

Andra Dag – “Get Up”

Andra Day’s inspiring hit from 2015 “Get up” was another anthem of the Black Lives Matter movement. Day says she was inspired to write the song when a friend was diagnosed with cancer.

“’Get Up’ started as a kind of prayer: I thought about what I needed to hear to get back on my feet. Most of the song came out during the first freestyle recording, ‘ she told Time Magazine in an interview. “To be honest, there are lines in there that I would normally find cliché. But sometimes a good cliché is just what you need in a moment of hopelessness.”

Ledisi – “Good year”

Singer Ledisi stole our hearts with her 2007 single ‘Alright’. Now the R&B singer is back with a new album, ‘Good Life’, and the song “Good year” is one of our favorites.

50 Cent – “In Da Club”

“Go Shorty, it’s your birthday.” When 50 Cent’s “In Da Club” Come on, you can’t help but sing along.

The song, which appears on his 2003 album Get Rich or Die Tryin’, was the first number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100 in the 1950s.

Lenny Kravitz – “Fly Away”

Rocker Lenny Kravitz won a Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Performance for his 1998 hit “Fly away.”

Kravitz wrote and produced the song after he had already submitted his album ‘5’ to the record label. But friends who heard it convinced him to add it to the track list. We’re glad he did.

Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams “Drop it like it’s hot”

Rapper Snoop Dogg has had many hits during his career, but in 2004 “Drop it like it’s hot” was his first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100. The Neptunes-produced song featured a catchy hook and verses from Snoop Dogg and Pharrell Williams. Twenty years after its release it is still rocking the club.

LL Cool J – “Rock the Bells”

No samples, no autotune, no catchy hook, LL Cool J’s 1985 hit “Rock the Bells” is just four minutes of non-stop dope lyrics.

Beyoncé ft. Shaboozey – “Sweet Honey Buckin’”

Beyoncé and Shaboozey made magic “Sweet Honey Buckin’,” a song from Bey’s album “Cowboy Carter”. The song is a little bit country, a little bit R&B and a lot of fun.

Childish Gambino – “Redbone”

Donald Glover’s musical alter ego Childish Gambino showed off his musical range in the best way with 2016’s “Redleg.” The song, which is a perfect modern take on the Prince and Funkadelic vibes, earned him three Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year.

Shaboozey -”A Bar Song (Tipsy)”

The name Shaboozey, a native of Virginia, was on everyone’s lips this year. The singer-songwriter has proven that his fans extend beyond the country music world 17 weeks on top the Billboard Hot 100 with his hit “A bar song (Tipsy).”

Cassie – “Me and You”

Singer Cassie has been in the news lately due to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ legal troubles. But in 2006, the then 19-year-old promising young singer had the song of the summer with her debut single “Me & You.”