Here is a summary of notable socially conscious music released throughout the month. Songs/Videos: Jesse Jett – Ghost On The Lawn Earlier in the year, singer-songwriter and rapper released the album Inauguration Gift. He continues to release music through YouTube and other social media. He also appeared on episode 30 of season one of the Ongoing History of Protest Music […]
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We just finished the first month of 2021 and in many ways, the shittiness of 2020 has seemed to carry over. January is traditionally a slower month for new music releases, but there was still plenty of socially conscious music, and here is a small sample of it. Songs/Videos: Amanda Shires – Our Problem (featuring Angie Stone, Cyndi Lauper, K. […]
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Pharoahe Monch has played an integral role in the development of underground hip-hop, both as a solo artist and as one-half of the early 90s socially conscious rap duo Organized Konfusion. Monch’s latest project is the rap/rock hybrid trio th1rt3en, which also features Jack White’s drummer Daru Jones and sought-after guitarist Marcus Machado. On January 22 they released their debut […]
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Much of the music of the 90s may be associated more with personal angst that political dissension, but it was still a rich decade for socially conscious music. The decade could be considered the golden age of afro-centric hip-hop music. Movements such as riot grrrl and queercore were also important in amplifying women and LGBTQ+ voices. There was a diverse […]
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New releases always slow down in December, but there was still some notable socially conscious music that came out during the final month of a shitty year. Songs/Videos: Run The Jewels – The Ground Below (Royal Jewels Mix) (featuring Royal Blood) This is a reworking of a tune that appeared on the rap duo’s 2020 masterpiece RTJ 4 (which was […]
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As we start to approach the end of the year, the number of new releases start to decrease. Despite this, there were still several socially conscious songs and albums released during the month. Here is a sampling. Songs/Videos: Yankee and the Brave (Run The Jewels) – No Save Point This hard-hitting tune credited to the Run The Jewels alter egos […]
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As we get closer to the US Presidential election there has been a spike in protest music. Much of the music released is either directly aimed at Trump or discusses the importance of voting. As with the previous months, there is also music that addresses issues of systemic racism, police brutality, and a variety of other social concerns. Also, in […]
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We continue to live in crazy times. The issues of police brutality and ongoing Black Lives Matter protests were magnified with Jacob Blake being shot seven times by police on August 23. Since then there has been increased violence and deaths with right-wing counter-protest groups traveling to Portland and Kenosha to stir up further divisiveness. On top of that, Corona […]
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