Add These Uplifting Songs by Afro Latinas to Your Playlist and It Will Make Your Day

When coffee isn't enough, what's better than music to add a touch of alegría to your day? From the legendary Celia Cruz to up-and-coming artists like Lido Pimienta, we've put together a selection of our favorite tracks from Afro-Latinas we love for their empowering lyrics and uplifting beats that will make you want to dance and scream, "¡Azúcar!"

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"La Negra Tiene Tumbao" by Celia Cruz

It's hard to pick just one song from La Reina de la Salsa, but this one is a true anthem. We're making her classic lyric "If you want to get there first, run slow and enjoy life" our new motto.

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"DIOSA" by Xenia Rubinos

This feminist hymn by singer, rapper and multi-instrumentalist Xenia Rubinos is the best way to set the tone for your day. Add her "Diosa, reina, chula, bella" chorus and those hip moves to your morning routine and you'll get more energized than with 10 sun salutations.

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"Eso Que Tu Haces" by Lido Pimienta

Besides its dreamy chords and catchy lyrics, the music video that accompanies this song has a powerful message. The Toronto-based singer, who describes herself as "The Colombian Sailor Moon," paid homage to her African roots recording it in San Basilio de Palenque, in Colombia, also known as the first town free from slavery in the colonial Americas.

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"Espiral" by OKAN

The colors, flowers, sunshine, and all-around good vibes in this video are contagious! This Afro-Cuban duo consisting of Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne reminds us that there's always a rainbow in the end.

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"Nuqui (Te Quiero Para Mi)" by ChocQuibTown

This song is pure tropical vibes and a celebration of El Chocó, the region where the Colombian band is from originally. Goyo, the lead singer, and her bandmates are very active advocates against racism and recently co-created The Conciencia Collective, a platform for Latinamerican artists to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

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"Up" by Cardi B

Just watching the RIP 2020 on the first frame makes us jump for joy.

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"Sábanas Blancas" by Omara Portuondo

Seeing this 90-year-old icon dancing and singing this ode to her hometown in the streets of Havana is going to put you immediately in a good mood. (And make you want to sign up for salsa classes too!)

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"Ándale" by Amara La Negra ft. Khao

The Love and Hip Hop: Miami alum recorded this song and video during the pandemic and started a challenge to motivate people to get off their couches and dance to feel better during quarantine. She even shared a tutorial with all the steps on Instagram and offered $500 in cash to the best dancers!

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"Sugar Honey Iced Tea (S.H.I.T.)" by Princess Nokia

The Harlem rapper with Puerto Rican roots roasts beauty pageants in the video to this catchy tune in which she suggests haters get "better goals, 'Cause oh my God you seem lost." We can't get this one out of our heads!

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“BBYGRL” by Nitty Scott

In this video, the Brooklyn emcee tells her own version of Alice in Wonderland, set in a tropical jungle that celebrates the diaspora identity and the tribal experience in pre-colonial times.