“My Playlist is Too (Damn) Long”: The Impact of Black Men’s Favorite Sex Songs on Sexual Socialization

Abstract:Music has historically and culturally served as a tool for Black men to express themselves and tell their stories. Further, music is an integral part of Black culture that provides unique insight into Black men’s ideal sexualities, sexual practices, and their conceptualizations of sex. Thus, this content analysis analyzed the lyrics of Black men’s favorite sex songs from a strength-based, sex-positive perspective to better conceptualize Black men’s sexualities and sexual practices. One hundred six men answered the short-form survey question, “What is your favorite sex song?” Analysis of the song content determined Black men’s favorite sex songs were focused on mutual (29%) and their partner’s pleasure (28%). Black men’s favorite sex songs focused on attentiveness and admiration of partner, fulfilling fantasy, lust and yearning, vocal affirmation and reassurance, risky sex, and desire for intimacy. These findings suggest Black men desire reciprocity, intimacy, and vulnerability during sex.