Sleater-Kinney Photo Credit: Tyler Craft
Recently within the music industry there has been increased scrutiny over whether women are being granted equal opportunity. This was highlighted with the Grammy Awards where over the past five years women only made up 9.3 % of the nominees. The lack of recognition has nothing to do with lack of talent or resolve. For example a number of the top 25 protest albums of 2017 were by women artists and the top two albums were prominently women. Despite a male centric industry many women are working tirelessly to shatter the patriarchy.
Women efforts to break through barriers and make their voices heard is certainty nothing new. Many women have played a key role in contributing to the cannon of protest songs. Right now we will look at a brief sampling of 15 important protest album recorded by women or women led artists.
Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues (1956) – Odetta
The traditional songs that make up Odetta’s influential debut album aren’t necessary direct protest tunes but they reflect a keen understanding of the human struggle. Included among this powerful collection are 19th century freedom songs that were sung by slaves expressing the hope of eventually being freed from the indignities of slavery. Both Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King cited her music as an influence on the civil rights movement. Bob Dylan cited this specific album as the main motivation for him to want to start singing.
Notable Tracks: “God’s Gonna Cut You Down”, “Joshua”, “Spiritual Trilogy: (Oh, Freedom, Come and Go With Me, I’m on My Way)”
It’s My Way (1964) – Buffy Sainte-Marie
This influential debut album from the iconic indigenous folk singer not only poignantly deals with native issues but it also provides provides stirring social commentary on war, sexual abuse and drugs.
Notable tracks: “Now That the Buffalo’s Gone”, “Cod’ine“, “Universal Solider“
Nina Simone In Concert (1964) – Nina Simone
This album features recordings from three concerts that Simone performed at Carnegie Hall during March and April of 1964. Four of the seven tracks on the album could be considered directly political. This album is a musical shift for Simone. Her songs started to more directly address civil rights issues.
Notable tracks: “Pirate Jenny”, “Go Limp”, “Mississippi Goddam”
Seize The Time (1969) – Elaine Brown
Elaine Brown is an influential activist and was the former chairwoman of the Black Panthers. She also recorded two albums of black empowerment anthems. Her 1969 debut in particular is an important cultural document. “The Meeting” off of the album was the official anthem of the Black Panther Party.
Notable Tracks: “The Panther”, “The End of Silence”, “The Meeting”
Be Altitude: Respect Yourself (1972) – The Staples Singers
Accompany by their father Pop Staples, the three Staples sisters provide their stirring vocals to tunes of empowerment. It’s rare music that makes you think and feel. Mavis in particular is a powerhouse who continues to be a force of nature.
Notable Tracks: “Respect Yourself”, “I’ll Take You There”, “We The People”
Germfree Adolescents (1978) – X-Ray Spex
This debut album of the UK punk band tackles consumerism, feminism and identity politics. Poly Styrene, the lead singer and main songwriter of X-Ray Spex influenced a number of feminist punk acts and genres, such as the ’90s riot grrrl movement. Later reissues of the album include additional tracks such as their 1977 classic woman empowerment single “Oh Bondage Up Yours!”
Notable Tracks: “Art-I-ficial”, “Identity”, “The Day the World Turned Day-Glo”
Cut (1979) – The Slits
The debut album from the mostly female UK punk band tackles a variety of topics including traditional gender roles, consumerism, media propaganda and the dangers of drug abuse. They powerfully harness the raw and empowering spirit of punk that transcend any technical limitations.
Notable tracks: “Spend, Spend, Spend”, “Shoplifting”, “Typical Girls”
All Hail The Queen (1989) – Queen Latifah
The debut album from Queen Latifah not only established her as one of the first successful female rappers, but it is also widely regarded as an important album in the development of hip-hop. Queen Latifah skillfully addresses issues such as woman empowerment, black pride and black on black violence. The Queen proves she can hang with the boys and does her part in taking on the patriarchy.
Notable tracks: “Latifah’s Law”, “Ladies First (with Monie Love)”, “Evil That Men Do (with KRS-One)”
Le Tigre (1999) – Le Tigre
Kathleen Hanna of Le Tigre already made an indelible impact with riot grrrl pioneers Bikini Kill. Le Tigre is a musical departure, adopting a more poppy sound. The increased accessibility doesn’t take away from the lyrical bite. The songs are just as politically focused as Hanna’s previous project. The band’s self titled debut promotes feminism, progressive activism and it also rallies against misogyny and Rudy Giuliani.
Notable tracks: “Hot Topic”, “What’s Yr Take on Cassavetes”, “My My Metrocard”
All Hands on the Bad One (2000) – Sleater-Kinney
The women of Sleater-Kinney were never ones to shy away from the political, but their 5th studio album is arguably their most pointed. Their explosive musical attack poignantly tackles subjects such as the portrayal of women in media. They play their part in trying to destroy traditional gender stereotypes.
Notable Tracks: “Youth Decay”, “Was It a Lie”, “#1 Must Have”
Kala (2007) – M.I.A.
The second album by M.I.A. is an explosive blend of world music, hip hop and no hold barred political lyrics. The songs deal with the plight of refugees, the prevalence of gun violence and is heavily shaped by the racial stereotypes that M.I.A. faced because of her Tamil heritage.
Notable tracks: “Boyz”, “Hussel (with African Boy)” “Paper Planes”
New Amerykah Part One (4th World War) (2008) – Erykah Badu
The queen of neo soul is no stranger to socially conscious music, but her fourth album is her most politically aware. It is an ambitious concept album which tackles the challenges that face Black America. It poignantly addresses issues such as systemic racism, poverty, black on black violence and political corruption. The album is a futuristic throwback of the socially conscious soul music of the ’70s.
Notable tracks: “”Amerykahn Promise”, “Soldier”, “Master Teacher”
Let England Shake (2011) – PJ Harvey
Harvey’s critically acclaimed 8th album, is a scathing commentary on the history of her native England. It also addresses the failure to learn from history and makes insightful statements of how humankind continues to be on the brink of self-destruction.
Notable tracks: “The Glorious Land”, “The Words That Maketh Murder”, “Written on the Forehead”
Transgender Dysphoria Blues (2014) – Against Me!
Against Me!’s 6th studio album deals with the subject of gender dysphoria which is timely in light of lead singer and songwriter Laura Jane Grace coming out as transgender. 21st century civil rights and women rights have expanded to include identity politics. This album is a vital voice in the discourse.
Notable tracks: “Transgender Dysphoria Blues”, “True Trans Soul Rebel”, “Drinking With The Jocks”
A Seat At The Table (2016) – Solange
Solange’s critically acclaimed third album is a riveting exploration of black identity and empowerment. The powerful collection of socially conscious tunes is also interspersed with topical spoken words interludes dealing with issues of systemic racism and stereotypes.
Notable tracks: “Weary”, “Don’t You Wait”, “Don’t Touch My Hair (with Sampha)”