Haram is a New York City hardcore band whose debut EP شو بتشوف؟ (“What Do You See​?​”) was released in 2016 by the underground punk label Toxic State. The band’s vocalist is Nader Haram, a Muslim American from Yonkers, NY whose family moved to New York in the 80s to

“Give me my equality,” sang the genius Nina Simone in 1963, looking racist America straight in the eye. Singer, songwriter, pianist, and activist, Simone’s work was radical and revolutionary. Musically, Simone was brilliantly innovative, drawing from her classical piano training, her experiences working in jazz clubs, as well as blues,

Singer-songwriter David Rovics has written songs and produced several albums in the past twenty years. He is an impressively prolific independent artist constantly churning out protest songs inspired by current events. On May 1, Rovics released Punk Baroque, which consists of songs from 2016. It is his first album to

Reverend Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou has returned with a more intimate and personal follow-up to the movement album, “The Revolution Has Come,” which was released in 2016. As Sekou described in an interview, “In Times Like These,” has “everything to do with the material conditions that produced the Ferguson uprising, but

In 1981, Xeth “Xerox” Feinberg was concerned with the “prefab messiahs” who had long infiltrated the American psyche: Ronald McDonald, the Pillsbury Doughboy, and other “friendly faces of corporate fascism.” Channeling his feelings about these figures, he decided to start a short-lived post-punk band. “Talentless guitarist and drummer seeking bassist

This week’s featured protest song comes from pioneer of Native American rap Litefoot, who has never shied away from creating music that speaks to indigenous life.

Rhiannon Giddens collects songs. Traditional songs from the 1800s and early 1900s, like work songs, inspire her craft. Many of these songs are rooted in the history of African Americans in the United States. On her most recent album, “Freedom Highway,” Giddens takes her passion for traditional music and weaves

Hurray for the Riff Raff’s latest album, “The Navigator,” is full of poignant ballads, but “Rican Beach” is the most galvanizing protest anthem.

This may be one of the more popular and well-known protest songs from 2016. It was performed on “Saturday Night Live” by Sturgill Simpson. The brass part for the song packs quite a punch and has a lot to do with why this antiwar song is such a rousing tune.