Since I started this website in December 2017, there hasn’t been a month where there has been this much protest music released. As much as I’m into socially conscious music, I really wish we lived at a time where political music was no longer relevant. But in the meantime music does provide us with a needed outlet to help us deal with the turmoil. We will now consider some of the notable music released during June.
Songs/Videos:
Terrace Martin feat. Denzel Curry, Daylyt, Kamasi Washington, & G Perico – Pig Feet
Within the past month Terrace Martin contributed three solid songs to the canon of protest tunes, including this explosive track. Martin made the statement concerning his motivation for the tune: “Someone asked, how do I feel?” Terrace Martin wrote. “I told them hurt, fearless, angry, aware and fully ready to protect me, my family & my people at all cost. I got together with Black men that felt the same way and created a work of truth. PIG FEET.”
Leon Bridges feat. Terrace Martin – Sweeter
Terrace Martin’s collaboration with soul singer Leon Bridges goes in a different direction than “Pig Feet”. It as a jazzy and smooth old school socially conscious soul vibe. It is a sombre but optimistic tune that holds out hope for an end to systemic injustices.
Dinner Party – Freeze Tag
Dinner Party is a supergroup made up of Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin, Kamasi Washington, and 9th Wonder. “Freeze Tag” has a deceptively pleasant musical arrangement which is in sharp contrast with the pointed lyrics such as, “They told me put my hands up behind my head” and, “I think they got the wrong one. I’m sick and tired of runnin’.I’ve been searching where the love went.”
Lil Baby – The Bigger Picture
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that many rap artists are stepping up to help provide the soundtrack to the Black Lives Matter Movement. This is Lil Baby’s poignant contribution.
Anderson .Paak – Lockdown
Another timely tune that was written about and for the protests. The tune was also appropriately on Juneteenth, celebrating the liberation of slaves on June 19, 1865. The song serves as a reminder that despite any progress there is still a long way to go.
DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch – Rockstar (BLM Remix)
This new version of DaBaby’s viral hit adds a potent verse about police brutality, the protests and systemic racism.
Kilamanzego – Black Weirdo
Philadelphia, producer and underground hip-hop artist Kilamanzego (pronounced “kill-a-man’s-ego”) usually focus on creating soundscapes, but with “Black Weirdo” she decides to pick up a microphone. The song is a non-conforming middle finger to a patriarchal system.
YG – FTP
YG released the anti-Trump “FDT” in 2016. Now instead of “Fuck Donald Trump” it is “Fuck the Police.” Sometimes in protest music, the most effective statements are the most direct. Plus it worked for N.W.A.
Conway the Machine – Front Lines
A hard-hitting song which addresses racist cops. It well articulates the anger that many are feeling.
Beans on Toast – Chessington World of Adventures
Now we will go in a different direction with the music selections. The cult UK singer-songwriter wrote this tune to indict both the UK and US government’s poor response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Kay The Aquanaut, Cee Reality, Lee Reed – 123
This track is by a trio of Canadian alternative hip-hop artists. Even though it could be considered a commentary on the United States, it is also a reminder that Canada has there own issues with police brutality and systemic racism.
Bob Mould – American Crisis
The latest tune by the alt-rock pioneer is an indictment of the hateful policies of Trump administration towards the LGBTQ community. The song was influenced by flashbacks of his Hüsker Dü days. As a closeted gay man in the 1980s, the poor government response added to the death toll of the AIDS crisis. Concerning the song, Mould made the following statement: “We have a charismatic, telegenic, say-anything leader being propped up by evangelicals. These fuckers tried to kill me once. They didn’t do it. They scared me. I didn’t do enough. Guess what? I’m back, and we’re back here again. And I’m not going to sit quietly this time and worry about alienating anyone.”
The track will also appear on his upcoming album BLUE HEARTS, due out September 25.
IDLES – GROUNDS
“Grounds” is the latest single from the UK’s band upcoming album Ultra Mono due out September 25. The tune is a call to arm, filled with plenty of righteous indignation.
Evan Greer – Emma Goldman Would Have Beat Your Ass
The singer-songwriter and activist appropriately released this tune on June 27, what would have been the 151st birthday of Emma Goldman, the iconic anarchist and feminist activist. It is a scathing indictment of supposedly woke liberals who support digressive ideologies.
Kapil Seshasayee – The Pink Mirror
The latest track by the art rocker is a expose on the double standard regarding trans representation in Bollywood cinema. Trans people are usually regulated to comedy relief and efforts by LGBTQ filmmakers to tell trans stories are frequently blocked from release.
Wyatt Waddell – Fight!
This soulful tune harks back to the socially conscious of the 1960s and 70s. It is a rousing rallying cry to stand up against oppression.
Push Push (with Pussy Riot) – ACAB
This raucous anti-police tune is a collaboration between South African rapper Push Push and Russian punk and activist collective Pussy Riot. All proceeds are split between 70+ community bail funds, mutual aid funds, and racial justice organizers through ActBlue.
Public Enemy – State Of The Union (STFU)
The latest tune by the legendary political rap group is a vitriolic attack on Trump.
H.E.R. – I Can’t Breathe
H.E.R.’s latest single is named after the final words of George Floyd, but it extends beyond one isolated incident. The video includes a list of black people who were murdered, many at the hands of police. It also contains shout outs to past protest tunes such as “Strange Fruit” and “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.”
Kamaiyah – Black Excellence
This potent tune by the Oakland rapper was appropriately released on Juneteenth.
Noname – Song 33
Along with her music, Noname has been heavily involved with social activism. This song might technically be a diss track, but the song does speak out on several issues as well.
Oceanator – A Crack in the World
Oceanator is the moniker of Elise Okusami, a talented New York musician. This is the first single off her upcoming debut full-length album Things I Never Said. During the month she also released a three-song EP of protest song covers entitled Tear the Fascists Down and a cover of Dead Kennedys “Police Truck.” Proceeds from both support anti-racism efforts.
Tunde Adebimpe – People
Best known as the frontman of TV on the Radio, proceeds from his latest socially aware single are divided among The Southern Poverty Law Center, The ACLU and The Movement for Black Lives.
Rhiannon Giddens featuring Yo-Yo Ma – Build a House
Rhiannon Giddens is not only a talented multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, but she is also a historian and musical archivist. Her latest tune is a reminder that America was built on the back of slavery, but efforts to build their own houses were often burnt down (both literally and figuratively).
Alicia Keys – Perfect Way To Die
Another tune released on Juneteenth. This mournful tune is a tragic reminder of all of the black lives who have been snubbed out.
The Chicks – March March
The Dixie Chicks recently changed their name to The Chicks due to the potential racial connotations of the name. This anthemic protest tune is the first single under the new name.
Albums:
Run The Jewels – RTJ4
You would be hard press to find an album more relevant than RTJ4. Also previously featured “walking in the snow” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
BL Shirelle – Assata Troi
Shirelle’s stunning debut was another Juneteenth release. It was also the first full-length release from Die Jim Crow, a non-profit record label for current and formerly incarcerated musicians. Kevin Gosztola of Shadowproof published an informative interview with Shirelle about her new album and her work as deputy director of Die Jim Crow.
Nana Grizol – South Somewhere Else
The latest album indie-folk-rock band is an exploration of the attitudes associated with the American South.
David Strickland – Spirit Of Hip-Hop
The exceptional debut album by the longtime producer. Previously reviewed the album. Also interviewed Strickland and Canadian Hip-Hop pioneer Maestro Fresh Wes (who appears on the album), on the latest episode of the Ongoing History of Protest Music podcast.
Various – Power Black!
Released on Juneteenth, this is a compilation of socially conscious black indie hip-hop artists.
Special Interest – The Passion Of
The sophomore album from the New Orleans anarcho-glam band is an essential and intense listening experience. The following is from the album’s Bandcamp page: “Special Interest present a precise and deranged vision of punk, an apocalyptic celebration, a step forward into a perverse and uncertain landscape.”
SAULT – UNTITLED (Black Is)
This is the third release from the mysterious collective that little is known about. Released on Juneteenth, the album is a celebration of black excellence and commentary on ongoing social ills.
Clipping. – Chapter 319
The two-track EP by the experimental Hip-Hop trio was released on Juneteenth. The title track features a sample of George Floyd, under his rapper name Big Floyd (part of DJ Screw’s influential Screwed Up Click). Both tracks are powerful hard-hitting anti-racist missives. All proceeds go organizations dedicated to racial justice.
Below is the ongoing playlist of 2020 protest songs featuring music that was featured on this site.