When Frankie Beverly and Maze came together, their objective was to make music. They likely had no idea they would become an everlasting staple of the entire Black community. This song, a single off the band’s fifth album, is more than 40 years old. But thanks to family cookouts, Black folks are ever ready to tilt back their heads and belt out a harmonious “Gooooooooo” like the song was gifted as a birthright.

If there’s one thing Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds can do, it’s write a culture-grabbing song and lay it on the perfect musician to bring it to life. This 1993 Tevin Campbell hit is no different. DJs at clubs and other events across the country can guarantee that when this tune is played, they can drop the record altogether and a sea of Black folks will keep on singing in unison.

Michael Jackson could very well land dozens of songs on this list from his days singing alongside his brothers right on through his extensive catalog. This song released in 1979, however, has not only transcended decades; it’s also been sampled in at least 99 songs since its release extending its shelf life far beyond anyone’s expectations.

No barbecue is complete without an elder blaring something by Marvin Gaye. And, no, it matters not the age ranges at the event, this song will be played. Released in 1973, this cultural fave features an opening note that gets everybody ready to holler out the words, however inappropriate they may be for the occasion.

When these three sisters with flawless vocal abilities joined together as a group, the fruits were a variety of chart-topping hits, but none bigger than this now 30-year-old song. It’s the ultimate sing-a-long anthem and even spent quite some years as a talent show favorite.

Let’s keep it all the way real; Kirk Franklin is likely responsible for the saving of many souls through his electrifying way of reaching the people with gospel and inspirational music. This song became an instant hit in 1997 and remains a staple of Black music today.

Earth, Wind & Fire could be a genre of their own the way they make soul-stirring jams that live in the culture. This catchy 1978 classic has indefinitely imprinted the date Sept. 21 on the hearts of music fans.

Want to see someone’s backside moving without intention? This 1998 New Orleans song took over the country when it dropped as a single to take over for the ’99 and the 2000.

There’s no way Montell Jordan could think that singing about his Friday evening activities would become the cultural phenomenon that it has become, but since 1995, folks can’t wait to tell you how they do it. And, shout out to him for endorsing the use of designated drivers.

Stevie Wonder himself is a national treasure belonging to the Black delegation. Every single one of his songs is an intergenerational favorite. However, we cannot and will not ignore the way this man completely changed the way Black folks sing the birthday song. Written in tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. and released in 1981, the song not only became a hit but also helped to make MLK Day a federal holiday, as Blavity previously reported.

It is perhaps one of the most well-known facts of Black culture that it is not officially summer until the radio station plays this 1991 song.

Luther is another one of those artists who has given the culture countless anthems. But if we’re talking time-transcending tunes, this song is hands-down the one that will have every member of the family ready to bust a two-step.

When Ronnie, Ricky and Mike decided to form the trio Bell Biv DeVoe, they did so with the idea of creating edgy versions of what New Edition fans knew of them in their younger days. Taking the concept of making music that is “mentally hip-hop, smoothed out on the R&B tip with a pop feel appeal to it,” this song was the perfect starting point. And, to this day, no one anywhere trusts a big butt and a smile.

Because you know one thing Black folks are gonna do is line dance, this list item is a combination of four of our favorite line dance-accompanied songs. “Electric Boogie” is the OG version of it all and quite possibly the most well-known tune among the generations. It doesn’t even matter how you slide as long as you slap the ground in the process. In the years following its 1976 release,  DJ Casper’s “Cha Cha Slide,” V.I.C.’s “Wobble” and Cupid’s “Cupid Shuffle” have joined the playlist.

You can thank your HBCU for this one-two punch of funk. Popularized by Omega Psi Phi and Kappa Alpha Psi, respectively, Atomic Dog and Flashlight will either make you think of your uncle at the barbecue or that one time at a frat party.

Well before he introduced himself as Charlie last name Wilson, everybody’s favorite uncle sang alongside his brothers. One tune that brings out all of the synchronous fan singing is this 1982 smash hit.

Another HBCU classic with a dance to match, this 1988 song from Spike Lee’s School Daze is absolutely ageless and clearly the reason BBLs became so popular.

This song is 30 years old, but that means nothing to anyone who revels in scream-singing this love-searching anthem. It’s the song that truly introduced the world to Mary J. Blige, and let’s be honest, we can’t imagine life without her.

Everybody knows what Jill Scott ate for breakfast that day and will be quick to holler “GRITS!” This 2000 mellow groove endeared Jilly from Philly to Black folks everywhere and quickly landed her on the cookout playlist.

Name one wedding post-2008 where the bride didn’t toss the bouquet to the tune of this Queen Bey song. This exhilarating pop chart-topper taught family members of all ages how to wave their hands with just the right amount of sass a la Yoncé.

Yes, there are more songs. So many more songs, actually, but this list had to end at some point.