At this point, I’m not even going to attempt a proper intro. Here is a sampling of notable socially conscious music released in October. RIP D. H. Peligro. Songs/Videos: The Delicate Nature (Featuring Laurie Vincent) – Bob Vylan This is the latest single from the UK grime punk duo which touches upon an array of social issues. Concerning the motivation […]
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This is the second video posted to the recently launched Ongoing History of Protest Songs YouTube channel. I’ll be posting at least one video a week. The first video focused on the best protest tunes of the 2010s, and subsequent videos will focus on the 90s, 80s, 70s, and 60s. These videos were based on articles that I wrote for […]
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Part of the purpose of this site is to chronicle the historical developments of protest music. One way to do this is to look back at previous decades. I previously published a list of the 100 Best Protest Albums of the 2010s. Now we are going to look back at the best albums of other decades, starting with the 2000s. […]
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Worldwide many places recognize February 7th as International Clash Day. This is fitting because with the current state of political turmoil their music has never mattered more. Previously we looked back at ten of their notable protest songs. The band has also been inducted into the Protest Music Hall of Fame. Right now we will look back on ten notable […]
Learn more →Belly is a Palestinian born Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter and producer. He recently released Immigrant, the long-awaited follow-up to his 2007 debut studio album The Revolution (but he has released several well received mixtapes). On the album’s title track Belly taps into his personal experience of his parent’s fleeing war-torn Palestine. The album version also features Meek Mill and M.I.A. […]
Learn more →80 Years of Protest Songs Part 1: 1939-1958 80 Years of Protest Songs Part 2: 1959-1978 80 Years of Protest Songs Part 3: 1979-1998 The aftermath of 9/11 ushered in a new chapter for protest music. The Iraq war and George W. Bush became the Vietnam & the Nixon for the 2000s. The 2010s brought in a renewed emphasis in […]
Learn more →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 […]
Learn more →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 […]
Learn more →Joe Strummer died on December 22nd, 2002. Fifteen years later and his music is as vital as ever. As the front-man and lyricist of The Clash, he composed some of the most important socially conscious music ever. “Straight To Hell” appears on The Clash’s 1982 album, Combat Rock. Like many of The Clash tunes, it is a protest against many […]
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