The jaded cynic may dismiss music videos as simply promotional vehicles to help a musician go viral and to increase their net worth. Even though that synopsis is often accurate, when done properly music videos can be elevated to a fine art, capable of making profound statements. With socially conscious music the visuals can also reinforce the lyrical impact.

Here is a list of the 12 most impactful protest music videos of 2017. Feel free to protest the list in the comments and share any videos you felt were omitted.

12: Doom or Destiny – Blondie (featuring Joan Jett)

This collaboration of two icons from the ’70s/80s isn’t a protest from a lyrical perspective. But the video is definitely political.  Joan Jett and Blondie’s Debbie Harry play the roles of mock news anchors. The video effectively portrays how the ridiculousness of the 24 hour news cycle can tire people out and cause them to become jaded. President Trump has turned America into a reality show, but unfortunately it isn’t just a harmless diversion. The video uses dark humor to make some powerful points.

11: Scream – Weaves (featuring Tanya Tagaq)

Weaves front-woman and lyricist Jasmyn Burke made the following statement, concerning the motivation behind “Scream”: “I think everyone is having a hard time processing what’s happening right now and I started thinking about how some people hate or want to harm me because of my physical appearance, and that made me want to write something about loving yourself.” The video has that same sense of manic energy and empowerment.

10: The Great Undressing – Jenny Hval

The song lyrics don’t seem to be protesting anything, but the NSFW video directed by Marie Kristiansen and starring Marte Germaine Christensen makes some powerful statements. Watching a naked woman go about her daily routine in the nude while onlookers seem unfazed by it, seems particularly timely in light of the #MeToo movement. The female protagonist isn’t sexually harassed because of what she’s wearing (or in this case, not wearing). The act of nudity doesn’t make her less human.

9: Brick Body Complex – Open Mike Eagle

In this powerful video, Open Mike Eagle takes on the role of a black super hero trying to save the destruction of the Robert Taylor Homes housing project in Chicago from demolition. The thought-provoking visuals makes the connection between gentrification and violence.

8: Now – Miguel

The video shows footage of Miguel performing at a rally near the Adelanto High Desert Detention Center. A few times through the video the music is interrupted to include insightful comments from Miguel, former detainees and protesters. Both the song and the video sheds an important light on an important human rights issue.

7: P.O.W.A. – M.I.A.

M.I.A. is no stranger to both politically charge lyrics and visuals. Even though the video for P.O.W.A. isn’t as direct as the lyrics, the visuals do add impact to the tune. The man dancing against the orange wall is a fitting allusion to Trump and the wall. Also M.I.A. wearing colorful garbs in desolate settings is a powerful image of defiance.

6: The Priest – Johnny Marr and Maxine Peake

“The Priest”, is a collaboration between the former The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr and actress Maxine Peake. The song is based on the writings of Joe Gallagher who kept a diary of his experiences of being homeless. The video  does an effective job of adding visuals to the song’s message. It is a brief snapshot of a day in the life of a homeless person.

5: Police State – Pussy Riot

Both the video and song was appropriately released on November 8th, which coincided with the one year anniversary of Trump being elected US President and the one hundredth anniversary of the Russian Revolution.  The video features actress Chloë Sevigny as a corrupt baton waving police officer. It also depicts Sevigny destroying children toys and children being strapped to their seat and forced to watch footage of Trump and Putin. It emphasizes the fact that if the current situation goes unchecked, the future generation will suffer.

4: Don’t Get Captured – Run The Jewels

The duo of Killer Mike and El-P are reinvented as claymation characters and they are riding a roller coaster through a world of political and police corruption.  The creepy but powerful visuals provide poignant commentary on the grim realities of gentrification, greed and police brutality.

3: Humble – Kendrick Lamar

Lamar had multiple videos which could have easily qualified for this list. “Humble” is the most visually stunning of them. The cinematic video contains strong anti-conformist overtones, along with messages about keeping the ego in check and an examination of beauty standards. The video is a cinematic masterpiece which lends itself thematically to the lyrics.

2: The Story of O.J. – Jay-Z

The video includes a character Jaybo which is based on the children book character, Little Black Sambo, which is widely regarded as promoting racist stereotypes.  Jay-Z employs those stereotypes to offer compelling social commentary. The video also features harrowing images of burning crosses, lynchings, cotton fields, slave ships, and other visual depictions of black oppression. Even though many of these images may have occurred in the past, the video makes it clear that America is still haunted by the ghosts of the past. It still has a long way to go terms of race relations.

1: In Harm’s Way – Amanda Palmer

Both the song and the video is inspired by the distressing image of child refugee Aylan Kurdi lying dead. The video is not only an emotionally powerful commentary on the global refuge crisis, but it is also a study of humanity. It is trying to compel listeners and viewers to look beyond their own bubbles and to view refugees as real life humans who are in need of compassion. As part of a written statement about the motivation behind the song and video, Palmer made the following observation:  “We, as a group, have forgotten how to be generous – not just with our wallets and our policies – but with our imaginations. This could have been my life, my child, my story.”

Watching this video is one of the rare occasions where I got goosebumps. If you can watch the video without feeling something you’re not human. Also 100% of the proceeds from the digital downloads go to the refugee support organization, Because We Carry.

For more best of lists, also check out the 25 Best Protest albums of 2017 and the 5 Best Protest EPs of 2017. Also coming soon, the 50 Best Protest Songs of 2017.