This website was started on December 6th, 2017. Also, beginning in 2017, I posted a list of the year’s best protest albums. I decided to start going back and chronicling the years that predate the website. Much of 2016’s protest music was influenced by the 2016 US presidential elections. It also touched upon Black Lives Matter protests, climate change, and a variety of international concerns. Here is a sampling of 40 of the best socially conscious albums, listed chronologically.
Hopelessness – Anohni
Music ranging from deceptively upbeat 80s-inspired synth to darker sonic textures is used by Anohni as the backdrop to address serious political topics. Everything from surveillance, the environmental crisis, drone attacks, and disillusionment over Obama’s presidency is covered. She also shows that there is power in vulnerability by inserting herself into many of the tunes and acknowledging personal accountability.
A Spanner In The Works – Beans On Toast
The moniker of UK singer-songwriter Jay McAllister, since 2009, the cult artist has released an album on his Birthday (December 1st). This album is a fine display of his satirical wit and incisive social commentary. Tunes like “Fear Mongering Clap Trap” and “Money for War” make his political views on issues such as immigration, climate change, and war pretty clear.
Lemonade – Beyoncé
The groundbreaking album is the perfect example of how the personal is political. The wrath that she expresses from being betrayed is used as a canvas to explore themes of female and black empowerment, best exemplified in tunes such as “Freedom” and “Formation”.
Freetown Sound – Blood Orange
The third album by the project of Dev Hynes is another example of the perfect intersection of the personal and political. The compelling album explores themes such as religion, sexism, and racism.
Camp Cope – Camp Cope
The debut by the Australian trio is the perfect intersection of the personal and political. The introspective and candid lyrics of Georgia Maq include insightful observations on important issues such as sexual harassment and poverty.
Splendor & Misery – clipping.
The sophomore album by the experimental hip-hop trio uses Afrofuturism to explore current socio-political issues. A concept album presented from the point of view of AI continues to become more relevant with the passing of time.
Black America Again – Common
The veteran socially conscious rapper effectively creates a snapshot of the current state of race relations in America. It balances the present reality with a positive hope for future change.
Stasis Confines, Action Conditions – Divtech
An important album in the development of cybergrind. Not only is the music explicitly political, targeting evils such as bloodstained capitalism and colonialism, but their music is also an extension of their activism, with all proceeds going to mutual aid.
Secret Path – Gord Downie
The last album released before Gord Downie’s untimely passing, The Tragically Hip frontman and Canadian icon chose to draw awareness to the true-life story of Chanie Wenjack, who ran away from a residential school in Kenora, Ontario, Canada. Wenjack died at the age of 12 from hunger and exposure on October 23, 1966, while trying to make his way home. Downie also wrote a graphic novel, and an accompanying animated film was made. Not only a stunning work of art, but an important educational tool.
American Band – Drive-By Truckers
The alt-country band has never been afraid to be political, but their eleventh album American Band is their most politically direct. Several of the songs on the album deal with gun violence. It also deals with racial inequality and the album’s theme are fittingly depicted by the album cover of the American flag at half-mast. The album raises the question of how long will the flag remain at half-mast?
How To Sew Wounds With Words – Ephelant & Time
This anarchist hip-hop album by the duo of producer Ephelant and rapper Time features incisive political commentary. The compelling lyrical narrative features ghosts and vampires as victims and perpetrators of blood-stained capitalism.
Dies – Gouge Away
The debut album by the hardcore punkers is an aggressive and uncompromising onslaught against police brutality, animal testing, and a whole slew of systemic injustices.
We Are The Halluci Nation – The Halluci Nation
Formerly known as A Tribe Called Red, the pioneers of powwow-step, the indigenous Canadian DJ collective blends EDM with traditional First Nation music to create a backdrop to explore Aboriginal issues. The album was inspired by Native American rights activist John Trudell, who was in the process of collaborating with the band prior to his death. He is featured on two of the tracks.
The Hope Six Demolition Project – PJ Harvey
The songs on this album were inspired by Harvey’s travels to Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Washington, D.C. with photographer Seamus Murphy. The title of the album is taken from the United States government’s Hope VI Projects, which were viewed by some critics as state-sponsored social cleansing. Harvey’s musical journalism openly exposes the effects of gentrification and explores the cycles of war and violence that lead to countless losses of innocent lives.
A War Against You – Ignite
The 5th album by the melodic hardcore band features soaring liberation anthems. Tunes such as “Where I’m From” tap into lead singer Zoltán Téglás background as a descendant of Hungarian immigrants.
Black Ben Carson – JPEGMafia
This is the debut studio album by the experimental rapper. Like much of his work, he is not afraid of being provocative when commenting on racism and other socio-political issues.
Sirens – Nicolás Jaar
The sophomore album by the electronic composer is the perfect blend of the personal and political. Jaar taps into his Chilean heritage, using events from the past as a canvas to explore current political issues.
H.B.O. (Haitian Body Odor) – Mach-Hommy
Now available on streaming, initially, only 187 CDs selling at $300 were released of this album by the elusive rapper. . Along with the scarcity of his releases, he built a cult following by being protective of his image and keeping his lyrics off Genius. Even though this adds to the mystique, none of that would matter if the music wasn’t good and if he wasn’t impeccable MC and lyricist. Like most of his albums, he effectively taps into his Haitian heritage and articulates the wealth disparity within Haiti.
Fetish Bones – Moor Mother
This is the debut album by the spoken word artist, experimental musician, and activist. At times, the album is jarring, but that discomfort helps add weight to it scathing indictments of systemic injustices.
Telefone – Noname
This is the critically acclaimed, socially conscious rapper’s debut mixtape. It is an intimate album that uses her personal experience to explore the challenges of being a black woman and a woman’s right to choose.
There’s No Such Thing As a Protest Singer – Grace Petrie
This EP by the UK folk singer is filled with heart and wit. Petrie provides insightful commentary on her native UK and abroad. She also speaks out against homophobia and other social injustices. She also grapples with her place in the music industry and the role of the protest singer in today’s society.
Hella Personal Film Festival – Open Mike Eagle + Paul White
This album is a collaboration of American underground rapper and UK producer Paul White. White’s playful 70s musical vibe is the perfect complement for Eagle’s lyrical wit, which at times includes deceptive social commentary. He is probably the only rapper to refer to the cologne of pro wrestler “The Model” Rick Martel, and being a black man struggling with racism in the same verse. The album strikes the balance of not taking itself seriously while being serious at the same time.
Talk of Violence – Petrol Girls
Considering the band’s name is derived from Les Pétroleuses, a Paris-based 1800s revolutionary group of working-class women, it should be no surprise that the debut album by the UK feminist punks is the perfect embodiment of radical female empowerment.
La Papessa – Lido Pimienta
The powerful sophomore album by the Colombian Canadian won the 2017 Polaris Music Prize, which is awarded to the best Canadian album based on artistic merit. Her Spanish language songs explore such issues as surviving in the patriarchy, heteronormativity and the global water crisis.
Dirt On Everyone – Poor Lily
The 3rd album by the punk band is a conceptual rock opera that explores the NSA. One track in 14 parts, it breezes by in just a shade over 30 minutes. It doesn’t take long to anthemically and effectively make its point about the perils of living in a mass surveillance society.
Brute – Fatima al Qadiri
The Kuwaiti artist taps into her own experiences of protesting and having her civil rights violated to craft a chilling masterpiece. She blends grimy instrumentations with news soundbites to shed a spotlight on how civil rights are being attacked in the 21st century.
Worry – Jeff Rosenstock
The sophomore solo album by the indie punker is a fine showcase of Rosenstock’s ability to express societal angst in a catchy way. It anthemically addresses issues such as gentrification, police brutality, and the DIY ethos.
1939 – David Rovics
This album by the prolific journeyman singer-songwriter and activist is an excellent showcase of Rovics’ ability as a social commentator. He is a skilled journalist who is able to explore past histories and current events while extracting vital truths.
Black Terry Cat – Xenia Rubinos
The sophomore album by the Hispanic American blends adventurous musical arrangements with incisive social critiques. It explores systemic racism and tunes like the masterful “Mexican Chef” highlight the important labor role of immigrants and the unfair stigma they face.
Run The Jewels 3 – Run The Jewels
The duo of Killer Mike and El-P has never been one to shy away from politics, and on their third studio album, they are as no-holds-barred as they ever have been. The Album addresses race relations in America, police brutality, government corruption, and a slew of other issues. Many of the songs interconnect, such as “Don’t Get Captured” and the follow-up track “Thieves (Screamed the Ghost”). On one song, El-P takes on the role of a corrupt cop, and on the other song, the ghosts of the victims of police corruption are now making their voices heard. The album also appropriately closes with the hard-hitting “A Report to the Shareholders / Kill Your Masters,” featuring an epic guest appearance by Rage Against The Machine’s Zack De La Rocha. A truly provocative and ambitious listening experience.
F(l)ight – Leanne Betasamosake Simpson
This is the debut album by the Indigenous Canadian novelist, poet, scholar, and singer. She weaves a compelling narrative that taps into the fight-or-flight response. She also draws on her heritage and explores issues impacting Native Canadians.
A Mulher do Fim do Mundo (The Woman At The End Of The World) – Elza Soares
Even after six decades of making music, the iconic Brazilian samba singer Elza Soares is still a vital artist. On her album, she sings about racism, domestic violence, drug addiction, global warming, and sexual freedom. She provides a voice for those marginalized due to skin colour or sexual orientation. The eclectic music arrangements add to the album’s powerful messages.
A Seat At The Table – Solange
The album is a powerful thesis statement on identity and empowerment. The album’s interludes also feature insightful soundbites of individuals talking about different aspects of blackness.
Livin’ on a High Note – Mavis Staples
The tenth solo album by the legendary vocalist has all of the hallmarks you want from her album. You got the soaring vocals singing songs of social change.
Cashmere – Swet Shop Boys
This is the debut album made up of Das Racist emcee Himanshu Suri, known for his work with Das Racist, and Riz MC (aka actor Riz Ahmed). Playful and serious at the same time, the tunes heavily explore their personal experience with stereotypes and outright Islamophobia.
Rumbo a Tiera – Systema Solar
This album by the Colombian collective features grooves that move the body and lyrics that convey an important message. Themes include environmentalism and feminism.
Retribution – Tanya Tagaq
The Canadian Indigenous throat singer focuses heavily on how governments and corporations are destroying sacred land. At times it is unsettling to listen to, but that is the point. Tagaq tries to jar the listeners to their senses. If humans don’t change course Mother Nature will seek permanent retribution.
Let Them Eat Chaos – Kae Tempest
The acclaimed UK spoken word artist creates a brilliant conceptual piece about the challenges faced by seven initial strangers whose lives eventually intersect. The concept is used to provide poignant political commentary on issues such as climate change, gentrification, and political/corporate greed. Tempest effectively expresses the anxiety felt during this time of political turmoil.
We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service – A Tribe Called Quest
The final album by the legendary alternative hip-hop group was released three days after Trump was elected as US President. Much of the album addresses the political climate and took aim at the hateful rhetoric spouted by Trump and his ilk.
HEAVN – Jamila Woods
The debut album by the singer-songwriter and poet is an empowering album that embraces Black girl magic. It also highlights the struggles of being Black in America, including the increased possibility of being killed by racist cops.
Also checkout the playlist featuring tunes from these album, along with a few other notable 2016 protest songs.
