The music being made continues to reflect the current socio-political climate. Here is a recap of notable socially conscious music released during August.
Songs/Videos:
Black AF – Crystal Axis
This is the latest tune by the Anti-colonial Afropunk band from Nairobi. The band posted the following statement on the song’s YouTube page:
“Black AF draws from our various experiences as young black Africans; being discriminated because of our appearances, having police break into our studio, dealing with racism locally and abroad, dealing with corruption, state violence and so much more.
It is also a celebration of who we are; black and African people have influenced the world in incalculable ways, and it is a fact that we have shaped the world through our music, art, culture etc. Black AF celebrates all this while also acknowledging our different, yet similar, lived experiences as black people the world over.
We are black, we are Africans, we’re victims of oppression and over policing, we’re nappy headed, we’re trendsetters; we’re all that.”
No More Wars – Mádé Kuti
This infectious anthem is by the grandson of the legendary afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti. This tune was previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest. The official lyric video has been released since then.
Blood On Your Hands – Sabina Chantouria
This haunting tune about the cost of living through the war was previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
You’re Not Alone (featuring Brandi Carlile) – Allison Russell
This is a potent reworking of a tune that appeared on Songs of Our Native Daughters, the stunning 2019 debut of Our Native Daughters (a supergroup that included Russell). The tune expounds on the importance of ancestral strength and community.
Russell also posted the following on the song’s YouTube page: “Every child deserves to be loved and protected. Our families with LGBTQIA+ parents are just as precious. No one should be forced into the sacred role of parenthood against their will. Human Rights are worth fighting for. We’ve come a long way, but we must go farther still.”
Strangers (featuring A$AP Rocky and Run The Jewels) – Danger Mouse & Black Thought
This hard-hitting track off of the recently released Danger Mouse & Black Thought collaboration Cheat Codes was previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest. Since then an official video was released.
We Won’t Go Back (featuring Ani DiFranco) – MILCK / BIIANCO / Autumn Rowe
This galvanizing anthem of bodily autonomy was previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest. Recently a powerful video for the tune was released.
Basement Check (featuring Metasota) – Psalm One X Custom Made
This track is off the upcoming album Bigg Perm (out September 2nd) from rapper Psalm One and producer Custom Made. The track and video explore themes also discussed on the album, such as good mental health and patriarchal independence.
Albums:
All Of Us Flames – Ezra Furman
This is the third part of a trilogy that includes 2018’s Transangelic Exodus and 2019’s Twelve Nudes. Furman made the following statement concerning the album: “It’s a queer album for the stage of life when you start to understand that you are not a lone wolf, but depend on finding your family, your people, how you work as part of a larger whole. I wanted to make songs for use by threatened communities, and particularly the ones I belong to: trans people and Jews.”
Also previously featured the album track “Lilac and Black” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Cheat Codes – Danger Mouse & Black Thought
This collaborative album of the acclaimed music and producer Danger Mouse, and the well-respected The Roots emcee Black Thought is a tour de force performance featuring appearances from several hip-hop heavy hitters. Similar to his solo Streams of Thought trilogy, Black Thought explores themes of black consciousness.
Matriarchy Now – Pussy Riot
After over a decade of musical activism, which included imprisonment for their anti-establishment protests, the Russian collective finally released their debut mixtape. “I love matriarchy,” Pussy Rioter Nadya Tolokonnikova explains. “And I think now is the best time to bring it on. Our rights are being attacked, and that’s just not cute.”
Green Is The New Black (Official Soundtrack) – In Hearts Wake
The latest album by the Australian hardcore band is the soundtrack to the documentary Green Is The New Black, which chronicles the making of their 2020 Kaliyuga, which marked their first effort to make a 100% carbon-offset album, The documentary was also 100% carbon offset and tunes address the issues connected with climate change.
King Stingray – King Stingray
The self-titled debut album by the Australian Indigenous surf rock group contains anthemic gems which rally for environmental rights. “We don’t own Mother Earth, the Earth owns us,” said the band’s singer Yirrnga Yunupingu.
Too Much to Ask – Cheekface
The sophomore album by the indie rock trio blends catchy musical arrangements with witty social critiques. Previously featured album track “You Always Want To Bomb The Middle East” as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Growth – Nataanii Means
The latest album by the American Indigenous rapper and son of renowned Native American activist Russell Means, deals with the abuse he experienced during the Dakota Access oil pipeline protest. “I was getting panic attacks constantly,” Means said. “I felt moments of doom, like I’m going to die or have a heart attack, my chest would tighten up.” Growth effectively deals with his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Done Come Too Far – Shemekia Copeland
The latest album by the blues singers is a powerful examination of the Black American experience. Copeland stated: “This album was made by all sides of me — happy, sad, silly, irate — they’re all a part who I am and who we all are. I’m not political. I’m just talking about what’s happening in this country.”
Gothic Luxury – Meechy Darko
The solo debut album by the Flatbush Zombies rapper was inspired by the murder of his father at the hands of Miami police in 2020. The album is an example of how the personal is political.
Old-Time Folks – Lee Bains + Glory Fires
The latest album by the southern punk band explores the histories of outlaws and revolutionaries from Bains’ home states of Alabama and Georgia. The Album track “The Battle of Atlanta” was previously featured as a Daily Dose of Protest.
Will to the People – Muse
The latest album by the veteran UK alt-rock band is the group’s most explicitly political. It addresses topics ranging from Black Lives Matter to the threat of a third world war.
Flood – Stella Donnelly
The sophomore album by the Australian singer-songwriter is the perfect intersecting of the personal and political. The album deals with mental illness, overcoming personal trauma, along with dealing with health ailments directly caused by environmental issues.
Below is an ongoing playlist of 2022 protest tunes featuring music that has been featured on the site: