Not like the booty hasn't always been in, but it's surely having its biggest year yet. With songs like Jennifer Lopez and Iggy Azalea's "Booty" and Nicki Minaj's, "Anaconda," you can't help but celebrate the female body. Songs about ladies' luscious curves are in this year.
Whatever your thoughts on Kim Kardashian's Paper cover, or if you find yourself more at the Taylor Swift end of the derriere spectrum, you have to admit that rocking out to songs about booty shaking is pretty great. We may have wished Meghan Trainor's radio-happy hit was a little more body-positive, but hey, seeing any longstanding insecurities get shot down in music is a step in the right direction. That is why we need to relish in this moment of music making women around the world feel confident about themselves and their bodies.
No matter what size or shape, we should embrace who we are, inside and out. Love what your Mama gave you and get down with your bad (and most importantly, beautiful) self.
Here are 24 songs that celebrate body image, and feeling good about yourself. Turn this playlist up next time you're gearing up for a night on the dance floor or rocking that extra set of squats at the gym, and celebrate your body just the way it is because it's all yours.
"Flawless," Beyoncé Ft. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
You will be feeling flawless after listening to this song. Thanks to Beyoncé, you'll be saying, "I woke up like this," like nobody's business.
"7/11," Beyoncé
This newly-released hip hop jam by the Queen herself makes women around the world feel sexy and confident. This infectious beat will have you dancing all night long.
"My Humps," The Black Eyed Peas
This 2005 dance number will have you loving your humps, no matter how big or small.
"I'm Every Woman," Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan had it right when she sang this song. She is oozing self-confidence and now, we are, too.
"Beautiful," Christina Aguilera
Some of us need a good reminder of how beautiful we are. This song does it justice.
"Try," Colbie Caillat
This empowering song shows us that we don't need "try" to be someone we are not. We need to just be ourselves. The video also gives you some of those good/happy feelings.
"Bootylicious," Destiny's Child
"Can you handle this" song? Yes. You and your jelly can.
"Free Your Mind," En Vogue
"Free your mind" with this En Vogue classic ... and the rest will follow.
"Fancy," Iggy Azalea, Charli XCX
Sometimes a gal just needs to feel a little fancy, you know? This Iggy Azalea song will have you feeling fancy and fabulous.
"Video," India.Arie
India.Aria reminds us that it's okay to not look like "the average girl from your video." Thanks to this song, we are encouraged to love ourselves "unconditionally."
"Q.U.E.E.N.," Janelle Monáe, Erykah Badu
This song is perfect when you're feeling like society doesn't accept you for who you are. Just turn this song up and turn them down.
"Booty," Jennifer Lopez, Iggy Azalea
These two beautiful women are not afraid to show us their best assets. Celebrate that booty, ladies.
"Bang Bang," Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj
These powerhouse women will have you feeling confident and in charge with this song.
"Milkshake," Kelis
This 2003 song makes us feel empowered about our milkshakes. Kelis gives us a whole new meaning to that delicious treat.
"Born This Way," Lady Gaga
Ms. Gaga sure knows how to make us feel happy and proud to wave our freak flags high in the sky. She reminds us to embrace who we are. Thank you for that.
"Secrets," Mary Lambert
We are no longer hiding our "secrets" thanks to this amazing number by Mary Lambert.
"All About That Bass," Meghan Trainor
You didn't think I would make a body empowerment playlist without adding this popular summer jam, did you?! Meghan Trainor helps us to love ourselves and our bigger booties.
"Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)," MIKA
This 2006 MIKA song had ladies around the world feeling proud of not being a size two. You are beautiful, no matter what size you are.
"Work it," Missy Elliot
Missy Elliot was sure putting in some "work" with this song.
"Anaconda," Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj is the queen of making us love our big beautiful butts. This much-hyped song basically lived up to everything we hoped for.
"Fat Bottomed Girls," Queen
This 1978 Queen rock number is just what we need when we're feeling down about ourselves and our bodies. Being a "fat bottomed girl" never felt so right.
"Hips Don't Lie," Shakira, Wyclef Jean
Your hips won't lie after listening to this 2005 song. Shake them hips, ladies! Shake 'em proud.
"Baby Got Back," Sir Mix-a-Lot
Even though this 1992 Sir Mix-a-Lot song was controversial, it put big butts on the map at that time. It gave women who had a fuller figure something that was their own. In a world with pressure to look a certain way (though it's certainly gotten better), this was a nice change of pace.
"Unpretty," TLC
TLC sang about the struggles that women have to go through in society and the pressure of having to look a certain way. This was, and still is, a much-needed song.
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