Tank And The Bangas are known for their mixture of funk, soul, hip-hop and a dash of their native New Orleans bounce. But anyone who’s been following the group also knows that they also delve into the world of spoken word more often than not. Their most recent album The Heart, The Mind, The Soul showcased that particular side of the group and garnered them their fourth GRAMMY nomination in the process. Now, as the group prepares for what’s sure to be a major 2025, they end the year with their newest single “This Black Girl.”
If the title wasn’t a giveaway, the spoken word piece centers Black women as it relays an experience that doesn’t speak for all Black women but will definitely speak to them. The group’s vocalist Tarriona “Tank” Ball lets her voice ring out over jazzy production that includes guitar, bass, harp, hi-hats and lush, layered vocals that offer a soft place for her musings to land.
Tank, as per usual, doesn’t hold back as she speaks her truths. “This black girl got an attitude / This black girl has defense mechanism, too / I feel played at least once a day,” she states at the song’s beginning. “I need that treatment that you give the white girls / I know my worth and it goes past the auction block, b***h.”
“‘This Black Girl’ is about the powerful journey of black womanhood and my personal experience as a Black woman that’s shared amongst some Black women, if not all,” Tank said in a press release. “The poem has attitude, joy, gut, and audacity. I think women will feel seen and heard. I believe it’s that powerful. It’s that strong.”
What’s also strong is the song’s music video, which features Tank surrounded by beautiful Black women. Each woman wears a black ensemble styled to fit her personality and show the unique beauty they all possess. There are memorable moments in the clip, but perhaps the most priceless is at the end, when they all recite a childhood rhyme with glee as the video’s credits roll.
If you’re a Black woman, “This Black Girl” will surely resonate. And if you love Black women, then it should inspire you to show them a little extra love and appreciation. Take a listen to the track and watch its video when you venture below.
