Over the past number of months, posting has been less frequent due to health issues and other personal circumstances. There has been improvement, so I hope to start posting more often. In connection with this, I plan on returning to posting a monthly recap. Below is a list of notable socially conscious songs, videos, and albums released during July.
Songs / Videos:
100% Endurance (featuring Elton John) – Yard Act
“100% Endurance” is a track off the UK band’s Mercury Prize-nominated album Overload (it was also one of the best protest albums of the year (so far)). This version features vocals from Elton John.
Soon – Steven Keene
This timely tune by the veteran singer-songwriter balances feelings of mournfulness with a sense of optimism. It was previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest and Keene was interviewed for the Ongoing History of Protest Music podcast.
Run (featuring Dave Chappelle, Young Thug)– Killer Mike
This hard-hitting tune by Killer Mike, is his first new music as a solo artist since his excellent 2012 album R.A.P. Music. The video features an introductory monologue from Dave Chappelle and conveys a narrative of Black people fighting against fascists who attempt to return the South to the Confederacy. During YoungThug’s verse, a flag featuring the words “Free Thug, Protect Black Art, Free Gunna” is displayed. This is in response to Thug, Thug’s record label, and other associates being arrested for alleged involvement in street gang activity and conspiring to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Killer Mike makes an argument against rap lyrics being used as evidence to levy criminal charges against hip-hop artists as highlighted by the following interview with Good Morning America:
“I want to stand in solidarity with Black art. So keep your hands off Black art. I want to standard solidarity was Gunna and Thug, who are presumed innocent, according to our constitution, unless proven guilty. They’re presumed innocent, man. And the two men that I spent two weeks with while we’re recording that were leaders of working people. They were the leaders of creative people. There were the leaders of people in that room who would not have had jobs and opportunity. What I did not see was the leader of a gang in that room. What I witnessed in there was musicians making music, making opportunities for people, making money, creating these imaginary characters, which we are.
Killer Mike is an imaginary character. Michael Render is very real…. So there’s a book called Rap on Trial that I want people to get. Co-written by Dr. Erik Nielson, who’s a friend of mine. And this book goes on to help people understand that other uses of violence in music are not used against musician. “Mama, I killed a man.” It’s not going to be used against Queen. Johnny Cash is not going to be prosecuted for saying, “I shot a man just to watch him die.” Rap music seems to be inexplicably linked to persecution.”
Powerless – Jesse Jett
This recently released video is for a track off the prolific rapper, singer-songwriter, and poet’s latest album The Grift. The video was produced by the Indie News Network. The visuals add weight to the song’s powerful lyrical message. The tune has also been featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
The Devil Is Human – Aurora
The latest single by the Norwegian art-pop artist was initially released back in January as a vinyl-exclusive track on the album The Gods We Can Touch, it has since received wide release worldwide.
Aurora said of the song in a press release:
“We get sexualised by the world, and yet shamed for being sexual. They want to possess you and own you, and even decide what you get to do with your own body. We are not free until all of us are free. The world have tried for many years to burn women who were strong, who were brilliant, brave and free-spirited. The devil is human, or apparently, the devil is a woman. You can burn the skin we live in, but you cannot burn the witch away. #ourbodyourchoice.”
Plastic (Featuring iLoveMakonnen) – Pussy Riot
For over a decade the Russian activist collective has used music and other forms of art as a platform to convey their message. On August 5, they are releasing their debut mixtape Matriarchy Now.
They recently released the first single and companion video “Plastic”. Pussy Rioter Nadya Tolokonnikova made the following statement about the tune: “‘Plastic’ to me is about a woman being alienated, exoticised, objectified, idolised, idealised, put on a pedestal, and trashed at the same exact time.”
Another example of their art being an extension of their activism took place on June 9th. They hung a 45-foot MATRIARCHY NOW banner from the third floor of the Texas State Capitol to protest the continual attacks on reproductive rights. Also, Pussy Rioter Nadya Tolokonnikova has started LegalAbortion.ETH, a frictionless web3 donation address that benefits seven organizations that protect women’s reproductive rights.
Irrelevant – Pink
The pop singer’s latest composition is her passionate response to those who told her to “shut up and sing”. The poignant video display visuals of past and present protests. The song’s refrain of “Girls just wanna have rights / So why do we have to fight?” is especially relevant with the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Nature – Taina Asili
This anthemic tune and companion video were released as part of the The Social Justice Portal Project. Hosted by the 10-year-old Social Justice Initiative at the University of Illinois at Chicago, The Social Justice Portal Project was created in 2021 to bring together scholars, organizers, artists, and activists to share knowledge regarding racial and social justice issues.
As mentioned on the YouTube page, the tune “is a musical manifesto for the climate justice movement, lifting up the urgency of the work necessary in order to protect our planet.”
Albums:
Renaissance – Beyoncé
Beyoncé seventh full-length is the first part of a planned trilogy. She conceived it as a reflection of her state of mind during the pandemic. Not necessarily explicitly political, it does touch upon social movements such as the “Great Resignation” (on the anthemic “Break My Soul”). The album is also a warm embrace of black and queer culture.
Jazz Codes – Moor Mother
This is the latest release from the extremely prolific poet, musician, and activist. The album strikes the right balance of honoring the past forgotten traditions of black genres while also plotting a musical path toward the future.
Unanimous Goldmine – Saul Williams
The latest release by the alternative hip-hop artist is the soundtrack to the Afrofuturistic musical film Neptune Frost. Even though it is set in the future, the theme of resisting colonialism and authoritarianism currently resonates.
Special – Lizzo
Similar to previous releases, the latest album by the R&B star celebrates body positivity and black empowerment. It is an example of how just the act of being authentic and making music could be perceived as a profound political statement. Also on the album track “Grrrls” she repurposes the Beastie Boy’s “Girls” from a misogynistic frat boy tune to a feminist anthem (where she sets out to reclaim the word bitch).
Human Capital – Bad Breeding
The latest album by the UK anarcho-punk band blends an aggressive musical attack with lyrics that explores the societal ills that are corrupt by-products of capitalism.
Group Theory: Black Music – Tumi Mogorosi
This stunning new album by the South African drummer and composer celebrates an important musical and cultural heritage. One of the album’s highlights is “Where are the Keys” which harkens back to the Black Consciousness movement.
Keep You Warm – Outright
The latest album by the Australian hardcore band is a seething attack on the corrupt establishment. It righteously rages against issues such as colonialism, capitalism, and how both these evil isms link to climate disaster.
Medicine Singers – Medicine Singers
The debut album by the Native American collective is the perfect mix of traditional indigenous pow-wow elements and modern expertise. The archiving of the past is skillfully used to forge a path into the future.
Azli – Ahmer
The sophomore album by the Kashmiri rapper chronicles how Indian Prime Minster Modi has turned the Muslim-majority northern region into an open-air prison. For example, the tune “Janaza” addresses the secret burial of murdered militants that took place to prevent funeral processions that frequently led to protests.
The Grift – Jesse Jett
Released on July 4, this is the latest album by the prolific poet, rapper, and singer. Like his previous releases, Jett has no qualms at scathingly indicting both sides of the political aisle. He plainly exposes the deadly flaws of the two-party systems. He also released the spoken word companion album, The Grift Home Companion, which further explores the themes addressed on the album.
Cave World – Viagra Boys
The latest album by the Swedish post-punk band is a timely reflection of the current political climate. “I definitely use the States as a reference point because it’s a real melting pot of insanity,” stated the band’s US-born singer, Sebastian Murphy. “I mean, those types of people definitely exist here in Sweden, but they’re not storming the Capitol or anything.”
Captain Ska – La Isla Del Brexit
The latest album by UK ska band Captain Ska explores post-Brexit England. It skewers Prime Minister Boris Johnson as “Britain Trump”, and denounces the wave of toxic nationalism.
Retribution by All Other Creatures – The Bastard Noise & Merzbow
This is a split album by two prolific pioneers of noise, the American band The Bastard Noise and Merzbow, the experimental project of Japanese musician Masami Akita. The thematic album addresses the issue of animal cruelty.
Below is an ongoing playlist of 2022 protest tunes featuring music that has been featured on the site: