Mixtape

Link to playlist: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/school-project/pl.u-xlyNqG2CJG1ZWL3 Je’Miya Worley English 2017 Dr. Harris 21 April 2026 Mixtape Essay My mixtape and theme are connected to the story, “The People Could Fly”. My overall theme is freedom— mentally, physically, and spiritually. Each song reflects a different part of what freedom looks like. Branching off my theme, the enslaved people were automatically trapped physically. In the story, when they gained the mental freedom, a symbol of physical freedom was shown in the form of flying. The idea of flying was not escaping physically, but also about remembering who you are and finding strength inside yourself which can go in the spiritual aspect as well. That same idea is shown throughout my mixtape. At the beginning of the playlist, the songs focus more on mental freedom. These tracks represent the feeling of being trapped, confused, or weighed down, which connects to how the enslaved people in the story felt before they discovered their ability to fly. Mental freedom is important because it's the first step before anything changes physically, you must believe that change is possible. Some of the songs talk about breaking out of negative thoughts, dealing with pressure, or finding peace within your own mind. This mirrors the moment in the story when the characters begin to remember the words and traditions that give them hope. The first part of my mixtape targets mental freedom, starting with “Mississippi Goddam” by Nina Simone and “I Can’t Breathe” by H.E.R. These songs express anger, frustration because of inequality. Songs like “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” by Nina Simone and “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” by Nina Simone continues this idea by focusing on identity and self-worth. Just like in “The People Could Fly,” when Toby spoke the words to the woman. She then remembers her ability to fly which boils down to her remembering her identity. She just had to tap back into what was already within. Mental freedom is shown through understanding your value, even when others try to take it away. The middle of my mixtape shifts into physical freedom. Songs like “I Am Not My Hair” by India Arie and “Free Your Mind” by En Vogue focus on breaking stereotypes and refusing to be defined by limitations. This connects to the part in the story when the woman and her baby flew away. “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” by The Freedom Singers and “Rise Up” by Andra Day continue that idea. These songs reflect power and resilience. Just like it took the people to “fly” away from their oppression. The final part of my mixtape focuses on spiritual freedom, which is the deepest level of all. Songs like “Someday We’ll All Be Free” by Donny Hathaway and “Break Every Chain” by Tasha Cobbs Leonard emphasize hope, faith, and release. Like mention before, in “The People Could Fly,” the ability to fly is not just physical. It is from a spiritual aspect. It is a connection to their past and their belief in something greater like God. This idea continues with “I’ll Fly Away” by Hezekiah Walker, “Wade in the Water” by Ella Jenkins, and “Since I Laid My Burden Down” by Mississippi John Hurt, which all reflect peace and freedom beyond struggle.

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