It has been a while since I have done one of these. I am often sent suggestions of artists and songs. At times I have been able to feature these on the site with the monthly recap or with other features. Since I have a backlog of music I haven’t had a chance to feature, I figured now is a good time to get caught up. If you are a musician, representative or fan, and there is a socially conscious song or artist who you would like to see featured on the site, please feel free to contact.
Thirteen – Haviah Mighty
Most of the time, the music in my inbox are artists that I am not familiar with. Haviah Mighty is one of the exceptions. Her excellent 2019 Polaris Music Prize-winning album 13th Floor was one of the best protest albums of 2019. On July 1st, Canada Day, she released a powerful animated video for one of the album’s standout tracks “Thirteen” (which was featured on the Spotify playlist of notable 2019 Protest Songs).
She issued the following statement concerning the song and video:
“I am a first-generation Canadian, born and raised. My father was born in Jamaica, and my mother is Bajan, born in England. I have locks, dark, beautiful skin, and a full nose and lips. As a Canadian, I’ve been told countless times that I don’t know what racism is, that I’ve never experienced racism, and that racism doesn’t exist in Canada. Because of our reputation as a safe haven, Canadians can be quick to separate themselves from Americans when issues of bigotry arise. Racism is alive and well in Canada, it is simply more covert. The 13th Amendment may be specific to the US Constitution, but it is not specific to US ideologies. Racism is worldwide. The perception of Black people has been destroyed globally.
Thirteen speaks factually and candidly, to the painful journey of Black people in North America. And it speaks to how that journey has morphed into continued racial prejudice, using the media and using the law. To get rid of white supremacy is to identify it at its root. I hope when people watch Thirteen, they feel moved to do their part in reversing white supremacy. I hope we can begin to see one another as equal – a dream I’ve always hoped could one day be a reality. And I hope people realize that it’s going to take WORK! Who is willing to work, to make change?”
Uh Huh – Joy On Fire
Joy on Fire is a New Jersey-based quartet. “Uh Huh” is an explosive anti-gun violence protest tune, which also features a stunning video by visual artists Gabriela Bulisova and Mark Isaac of the Atlantika Collective.
Life Savings – Phil and the Osophers
Phil and the Osophers is the project of singer-songwriter Philip Radiotes. They recently released a video for “Life Savings” a track off his 2019 album From the Rise of Fall. The tune addresses the follies of putting your trust in fraudster. Phil has written several protest songs over the years, which he has compiled into a Spotify playlist.
Jesus Was A Person Of Color – Sons of New York
Sons of New York is the project of singer-songwriter Roger Campo. They recently released a video for “Jesus Was A Person Of Color” a track of the 2019 album American Dream. The song exposes the hypocrisy of those who claim to love Jesus but who promote hatred.
You Cannot Silence Us – Bixlee
This industrial metal tune has a cool 1990s Ministry vibe. This fist-pumping call to action appears on Bixlee’s recently released album New City.
Doomsday Cult – OS Elliott (featuring LumbeRoss)
Both OS Elliot and LumbeRoss are both part of the UK music collective Lowlives. The glitchy and heavy hip-hop song addresses police brutality and it also criticises the UK and the US’s Middle East oil interest.
Marielle – Valhalla Kid
Another artist who is part of the Lowlives collective. The hard-hitting track takes aim at political corruption.
Short Order Catastrophe (COVID-19) – Dean Omori
Dean Omori is a veteran UK singer-songwriter who has written songs for and toured with Amnesty International, Greenpeace and War Child. He also runs the indie label The Art of Protest.
The Escalator – The Escalator
The Escalator is a project put together by songwriter and producer Adam Walker and Grammy award-winning bandleader Steven Bernstein. The three songs on this anti-Trump protest EP is the same length of time that it took Donald Trump to walk from the top of the escalator at Trump Tower, then down the street to St Patrick’s Cathedral. The songs address the fact that Donald Trump uses religion as a political prop to divide the American people. The third and final track “The Cathedral” which features the soaring vocals of Amyra, is particularly powerful.
Posted below is an ongoing playlist of 2020 protest songs.