Mary Wilson, a founding member of The Supremes, sadly passed away at the age of 76 on February 8. The Supremes weren’t known for being a political group, but at times their music did touch upon social themes.

In the decades-long struggle against apartheid in South Africa, Hugh Masekela was one of several musicians whose music came to represent the sound of resistance to racist oppression by the government. On January 23, Masekela, 78, died from prostate cancer. The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) mourned

The man in the famous blue raincoat, who has gone up to the Tower of Song, always believed the best way to respond to a cruel world was to keep existing.

Award-winning Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami died on July 4. He was known for “watchful eyes,” an ability to make films revealing new aspects of life.

Following the tragic death of pop music legend Prince, a portrait has emerged of a humanitarian artist, who sought to find ways to uplift people who were struggling.

Paul Kantner denied creating political songs, but still wrote classic protest music, from “Volunteers” to his SF concept album, “Blows Against the Empire”

“I’m not a political commentator, but I think there are times when I’m stretched to … implicate what’s happening politically,” David Bowie said in 2003.