The Ongoing History of Protest Music

After the noticeable spike in political music in June, July eased off a bit. But there was still plenty of music to provide the soundtrack to what continues to be tumultuous times. We are still in the middle of a pandemic, people continue to protest, and Breonna Taylor’s murderers are still free.

Here is a recap of some of the notable socially conscious music released throughout the month.

Songs/Videos:

Black Thought – Thought vs Everybody

This epic track is off Black Thought’s upcoming EP Streams of Thought Vol. 3: Cane and Abel. The Roots MC reminds listeners that he is much more than the frontman of Jimmy Fallon’s house band. He is one of the most influential socially conscious lyricists of all-time.

Also on a sad note, one of the founding members of The Roots, Malik B died on July 29 at the age of 47.

Run The Jewels – JU$T [ft. Pharrell Williams and Zack de la Rocha]

This recently released lyric video is for a track off the rap’s duos latest album RTJ4 (one of the best protest albums of 2020 so far). “Look at all these slave masters posin’ on yo’ dollar.”

Sufjan Stevens – America

At the risk of overusing the word epic, this tune is a 12 and half minute epic dealing with the disillusionment and suffering many Americans are currently feeling. It is the first single off his upcoming album The Ascension, due out September 25.

IDLES – A Hymn

This is the third single from the UK’s post-punk band upcoming album Ultra Mono, due out September 25. The album is the followup to their excellent 2018 album Joy As An Act of Resistance, which was one of the best protest albums of 2018.

Concerning “A Hymn,” according to a tweet from the band, the song “rejoices in the sinister flesh-eating virus of the pedestrian. It sings the tune of normal’s teeth sinking into your neck as you sleep stood up with your eyes open. Amen.”

Sampa The Great – Time’s Up (feat. Krown)

This recently released video is for a timely track off the Zambian born, Australian based rapper’s 2019 exceptional official debut album The Return. The album was one of the best protest albums of 2019.

Haviah Mighty – Thirteen

I recently featured this video as part of the Music From the Inbox feature, but this is such an important piece of art I needed to highlight it again.

This power animated video for “Thirteen,” a track that appeared on the Canadian rapper’s 2019 acclaimed album 13th Floor was released on July 1st, Canada Day.

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?”

J. Cole – The Climb Back

“The Climb Back” is one of two tracks (the other being “Lion King on Ice”) off the socially conscious rapper’s newest single Lewis Street. Both songs are to appear on the album The Fall Off, which still doesn’t have a released date.

Notable lyrics: “More death than World War II caused. Around these parts, we pour the brown just to drown these thoughts. Of black corpses in county morgues, Lord, those images hauntin’. I ain’t been asleep yet, it’s ten in the mornin’.”

Kid Cudi, Eminem – The Adventures Of Moon Man & Slim Shady

This collaboration between Kid Cudi and Eminem includes politicized lyrics that address issues such as the current pandemic (“Bunch of half-wits up in office (what?). Half of us walking around like a zombie apocalypse. Other half are just pissed off and (yeah). Don’t wanna wear a mask and they’re just scoffing. And that’s how you end up catching the shit off ’em. I just used the same basket as you shopping. Now I’m in a fuckin’ casket from you coughin’ (damn)”) and police brutality (“Prayers to George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery (yeah). How the fuck is it that so many cops are dirty? (Huh?). Stop, man, please, officer, I’m sorry. But I can’t breathe when I got you on top of me. Your goddamn knee’s on my carotid artery (fuck)”

David Rovics – With Masks Upon Their Faces and Leaf-Blowers In Their Hands

The veteran singer-songwriter and activist is no stranger to this site. As a Portland resident, it is no surprise that he would write a topical song concerning the current ongoing protests which were escalated due to Trump sending in the feds.

Kaviar (feat. D. Simone) – Pharaoh

“Pharaoh” is the latest single by the independent hip-hop group. The socially conscious tune critiques systemic racism and celebrates black excellence.

Elias Lieberman – Make Good Trouble (For Rep. John Lewis)

Elias Lieberman is a congregational rabbi who also describes himself as an amateur singer-songwriter. He wrote this song in honor of John Lewis, the US Congressional Representative, and longtime civil rights leader, who died on July 17 at the age of 80.

Albums:

Massive Attack – Eutopia

Eutopia is a three-song/video audiovisual EP by the influential UK trip-hop group. The band made the following statement about the project: “Lockdown exposed the best aspects and worst flaws of humanity. That period of uncertainty and anxiety forced us to meditate on the obvious need to change the damaging systems we live by. By working with three experts, we’ve created a sonic and visual dialogue around these global, structural issues, taking the form of climate emergency, tax haven extraction and Universal Basic Income.”

Fontaines D.C. – A Hero’s Death

The just-released sophomore album from the Irish post-punk band is a mix of satirical wit and insightful poetic lyrics. The album is well described on the album’s Bandcamp page as “a heady and philosophical take on the modern world, and its great uncertainty.”

Dinner Party – Dinner Party

Dinner Party is the self-titled debut by a supergroup made up of Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin, Kamasi Washington, and 9th Wonder. It is a timely album that resonates in the current climate.

Lonnie Holley – National Freedom

The songs are not as explicitly political as Holley’s fantastic 2018 album MITH, due to the fact that these songs were recorded during a 2014 recording session with the late great Richard Swift. But the songs by the experimental artists are still socially aware, especially the epic closing track “So Many Rivers (The First Time).”

Keleketla! – Keleketla!

Keleketla! is a collaboration between Johannesburg’s Keleketla! Library founders Rangoato Hlasane and Malose Malahlela and English electronic duo Coldcut. The album features exhilarating afro-beats and hard-hitting political commentary, which resonate on a global scale.

Zara McFarlane – Songs Of An Unknown Tongue

The latest by the British jazz singer is a powerful exploration of black heritage. Zara examines painful and proud histories, skillfully connecting lessons of the past to the present.

Strike Anywhere – Nightmares of the West

After an extended hiatus, the veteran melodic-hardcore band returns with an EP featuring seven anthemic tunes which addresses the current political climate.

Bixlee – New City

This album of political industrial-metal tunes has a really cool 90s Ministry vibes. It addresses issues such as police brutality and speaking out against injustice.

The Chicks – Gaslighter

The country trios first album since 2006’s Taking the Long Way (which was one of the best protest albums of the 2000s) and the first as The Chicks, finds the band in fine defiant form. With the exception of “March March” the album isn’t a protest album in the traditional sense, but it is an example of how the personal and political often intersect. The album does contain themes of empowerment and standing up for yourself in the face of adversity.

Below is the ever-expanding playlist of 2020 protest songs.