Five Songs Of Resistance: Nina Simone
“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,
Protest Song Of The Week: ‘Know Your Rights’ by Material Support
Under the Patriot Act, U.S. Code Title 18, section 2339A, is an anti-terrorism law criminalizing providing “material support” to terrorists, defining that term with a long list of services and resources. I learned this from reading the Facebook page of the Queens, NY hardcore band Material Support. After forming in
Protest Song Of The Week: ‘America Has Never Been So Great’
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
Protest Song Of The Week: ‘Rican Beach’ by Hurray For The Riff Raff
Hurray for the Riff Raff’s latest album, “The Navigator,” is full of poignant ballads, but “Rican Beach” is the most galvanizing protest anthem.
Stop Trump Mixtape: A Protest Song Collection
“R.E.D.” by A Tribe Called Red (feat. Yasiin Bey, Narcy, and Black Bear) An anthem for the decolonization of culture and solidarity among colonized populations across all continents “T5” by Swet Shop Boys A sardonic take on post-9/11 security culture from Riz MC and Heems, rappers of British Pakistani and
Interview: Andy Worthington On Final Push To Close Guantanamo
President Barack Obama has less than 70 days to achieve one of the key goals that will define his legacy: close the Guantanamo Bay military prison. There are 60 prisoners at Guantanamo. Twenty of them were cleared by the Obama administration and could be freed. Of course, the specter of
Protest Song Of The Week: ‘R.E.D.’ By A Tribe Called Red
A Tribe Called Red is an indigenous Canadian DJ collective. The group describes their music as a “modern gateway into urban and contemporary indigenous culture and experience, celebrating all its layers and complexity.” They seek to promote “inclusivity, empathy, and acceptance amongst all races and genders in the name of
Protest Song Of Week: ‘Prophets Of Rage’
Clear the way for the Prophets of Rage. The Republican National Convention is upon us, and one of the biggest supergroups in protest music history kicks off its tour with a debut single and a concert scheduled to coincide with the convention. The supergroup consists of: Rage Against the Machine
Protest Song Of The Week: ‘I Can’t Breathe’ by The Garner Family
Eric Garner was killed by New York police on July 17, 2014. Officer Daniel Pantaleo put Garner in a chokehold. He cried out, “I can’t breathe!” The officers involved in apprehending him showed no mercy, and his death was captured on video. A grand jury on Staten Island refused to