The following was originally published at Ongoing History of Protest Songs. Influential Nigerian drummer Tony Allen died on April 30, 2020, at the age of 79. He was considered a pioneer of the Afrobeat genre for his work with Fela Kuti as the drummer and music director of Fela’s backing

For the May 3 newsletter, Shadowproof managing editor Kevin Gosztola paid tribute to Nigerian drummer Tony Allen. *** Tony Allen developed a signature way of playing the drums, including polyrhythms, that defined some of the most revolutionary music ever produced. And right up until his death at the age of

Covering around a century, Music Is Power is a book by Brad Schreiber that takes readers on a tour of music that challenged social injustice and spoke to the masses during uncertain times. Schreiber is an award-winning author, journalist, and screenwriter, whose past books include Death In Paradise, Becoming Jimi Hendrix, and Revolution’s

Irreversible Entanglements are a politically-minded avant-garde jazz ensemble formed in early 2015 by saxophonist Keir Neuringer, poet Camae Ayewa (a.k.a. Moor Mother) and bassist Luke Stewart, who joined forces to perform at a Musicians Against Police Brutality event organized after New York police murdered Akai Gurley. Shortly after their performance,

Covering around a century, Music Is Power is a book by Brad Schreiber that takes readers on a tour of music that challenged social injustice and spoke to the masses during uncertain times. Schreiber is an award-winning author, journalist, and screenwriter, whose past books include Death In Paradise, Becoming Jimi Hendrix, and Revolution’s

Covering around a century, Music Is Power is a book by Brad Schreiber that takes readers on a tour of music that challenged social injustice and spoke to the masses during uncertain times. Schreiber is an award-winning author, journalist, and screenwriter, whose past books include Death In Paradise, Becoming Jimi Hendrix, and Revolution’s

“Corona Virus Climate Catastrophe Fascist Empire 2020 Blues Massacree” is a satirical tune from David Rovics that deals with life in the time of a global pandemic. It addresses society’s failure to respond to the spread of COVID-19 in a timely manner.

The post originally appeared at Ongoing History Of Protest Songs. Art is often a product of the political climate. This truth is reflected in the music of the veteran southern rock band Drive-By Truckers. Their 2016 album “American Band” was by far their most political, heavily influenced by the 2016

The following post was originally published at Ongoing History Of Protest Songs. Taína Asili is a New York-based Puerto Rican singer, filmmaker, and activist who for over two decades has been using her art to honor the tradition of her ancestors and deliver a stirring message of hope and liberation.