The Ongoing History of Protest Music

2018 was a good year for protest music. The downside is that you can’t have a good year for protest music without political upheaval. But at least music played an important role in promoting social awareness and providing a soundtrack for resistance.

Many of the albums on this list were previously featured on the 30 Best Albums of 2018 (So Far).  The one difference is that this list is presented alphabetically instead of numerically. I’ve decided the act of quantifying goes against the objective of this website. The purpose of these lists is to introduce listeners to at least a few albums they haven’t had a chance to listen to. It was a challenge to narrow it down to 40, and there are several more socially conscious albums worthy of consideration. It was a good year for protest music.   

Lead singer and primary songwriter BJ Barham has a knack of tapping into the human experience. On the alt-country band’s seventh album they address issues both personal and political in order to provide meaningful commentary on the times we’re living in.

Previously featured “The World Is On Fire” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

Veteran Chicana punk artist and feminist activist created a rousingly eclectic album which provides commentary on issues such as racial, gender and age inequality. Bag’s music portrays an optimism that lasting change is possible.

Previously featured “77” as a Daily Dose of Protest.  

Even though it may be two separate EPs, both volumes of Stream of Thought display The Roots emcee’s considerable skills in offering insightful socially conscious verses. Because of The Roots being Jimmy Fallon’s house band, it easy to lose sight of Black Thought’s importance as a rapper. These two EPs serve as a reminder.

Previously featured “Fentanyl” as a Daily Dose of Protest.  

The Australian all women alternative rock trio, rages against the patriarchy with righteous indignation. An important part of the vitality of the music stems from the willingness to be vulnerable. The lyrics tap into real life battles against tokenism and sexual assault. Even though it was written before these movements started fully trending, Camp Cope’s music resonates in the wake of #MeToo and #TimesUp.

Previously featured “The Opener” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

On the Swedish born singer-songwriter’s fifth album she offers thoughtful ruminations on serious issues such as abortion, gun violence, and refugees. As she sings on “Synchronized Devotion” the album features her “politics living in the slow jam.” The album balances mourning with hopefulness for a truly cathartic listening experience.

Previously featured “Shot Gun Shack” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

According to Cole, the rapper’s ambitious fifth studio album is an acronym for Kids on Drugs, King Overdosed, and Kill Our Demons. Along with talking about the dangers of drugs, addiction and the struggles of personal demons, Cole also discusses the government’s misuse of tax dollars and how they profit from the proliferation of guns. Cole is an articulate storyteller who successfully tackles serious issues.

The Australian female instrumental metal duo is playing their part to decolonize a white male-dominated genre. Songs such as “Assimilation,” “Cultural Extermination,” and “Indigenous Sovereignty,” make their intent clear. Wailing with a righteous heaviness, they don’t need lyrics to make powerful declarations of black and indigenous empowerment.

This ambitious project is aided by over 30 talented musicians who provide the jazzy musical backing, which is the perfect landscape for Dixon’s articulate verses. The compositions are an exploration of police brutality, systemic poverty, black on black violence, and gender inequality. The album is an inspiring and powerful artistic masterpiece.

Previously featured “Circle The Block” as Daily Dose of Protest.

Negrito’s third studio album is a bluesy scorcher, which also possesses an acute social awareness. He deals with issues such as systemic racism, censorship, guns, overconsumption, and gender inequality. Negirto’s songs are steeped in the personal experience of a weathered survivor who successfully endured adversity.

Previously featured “Plastic Hamburgers” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

Dose Your Dreams is a sequel to the Canadian’s hardcore band’s 2011 concept album David Comes to Life. Once again the story is built around the protagonist David Eliade, who is disillusioned by the drudgery of working his 9-5 job who ends up meeting up with a sorceress named Joyce Topps. Not only is Topps a compelling figure of female empowerment, but the ambitious album could also be considered a scathing critique on the failures of capitalism.

Previously featured “Raise Your Voice Joyce” as a Daily Dose of Protest. 

Canadian electro art punk artist Petra Glynt creates political dance music which accomplishes the rare feat of moving your body and engaging the mind. She addresses subjects such as corporate and political corruption, the Flint water crisis and the #MeToo movement. This album is the perfect soundtrack for when the patriarchy finally collapses.

Previously featured “Surveillance” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

Country music isn’t necessarily known for its politics and compared to other genres it tends to lead more towards the right. Hoge is part of a new breed of country artists who are not afraid to get political even if it potentially alienates his fanbase. Throughout the album, Hoge offer pointed critiques on issues such as border police, political corruption, and gun control.

Previously featured “Gilded Walls” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

Holley already had a long career as a folk artist who was known for his carvings and other art projects, when he expanded his artistry to include experimental music. His third album uses avant-garde jazz arrangements to share his provocative musings of the Black American experience.

The Reckoning is a fitting title for the Canadian folk singer’s sophomore album. The songs are a reckoning against social injustices, such as an overly punitive prison system and gender inequality. Holub is a compelling voice that deserves to be heard.   

Previously featured “Island” and “Way Out” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

On the UK’s punk band’s sophomore album, they clearly show that remaining joyful during tumultuous times is a potent act of resistance. The band provides commentary on such issues as immigration and toxic masculinity. It is a socially conscious masterpiece which proves that punk rock is still a vital cultural force. 

Previously featured “Danny Nedelko” “Samaritans” and “Great” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

As human beings, we lie and say everything is fine even when it isn’t. On Everything’s Fine, the experimental hip-hop duo of Jean Grae and Quelle Chris skillfully employ satire to analyze what it means to be fine in these times of political upheaval.  

Previously featured “Gold Purple Orange” and “My Contribution to This Scam” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

This captivating concept album by Chicago indie rapper Roy Kinsey explores the black experience during the three waves of the great migration. It sadly shows that the more things change the more they stay the same. Kinsey also taps into his personal experience of being a black queer man in America. The album also effectively uses musical elements in a way that resemble old field recordings. This adds potency to a story-telling which is steeped in history.

The veteran spoken word jazz poets have been providing stirring commentary on the Black American experience for over five decades. With their latest album, these forebearers of socially conscious rap offer insightful analysis of the current state of race relations in America.

The rapper’s fourth album is heavily based on his own experiences dealing with a corrupt and broken criminal justice system. Many of the tunes deal with the conditions of prison and the need for reform. It also addresses the systemic racism that the system is built on. Many of the songs also have a celebratory feel, highlighting that it is possible to confront injustice and still come out victorious.

Monáe’s third full-length album is an ambitious, but accessible concept album, which is divided into three categories: Reckoning, Celebration, and Reclamation. The songs are about taking pride in one’s sexuality and gender and breaking free from the shackles of supposed societal norms that are thrust upon individuals. A truly empowering listening experience.

Previously featured “Americans” as a Daily Dose of Protest.   

After 30 years and 10 albums, Mudhoney is still making hard-hitting music which features the sardonic wit of Mark Arm. His dark humor is fitting for these dark times, and he puts it to good use with his scathing indictments of greed, gun violence, social media, and religious hypocrisy. 

Previously featured “Paranoid Core” as a Daily Dose of Protest. 

On Room 25 Noname combines infectious jazzy arrangements with insightful lyrical flow. Along with the personal, she also discusses the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry and she critiques issues such as police brutality and systemic racism. She is one of the most vital voices in hip-hop. 

Previously featured “Prayer Song” has a Daily Dose of Protest.

The New York indie band’s 6th full-length album addresses issues such as violence, white privilege, climate change, and media propaganda. The songs are catchy, and they strike the right balance of righteous indignation with an optimistic outlook.

Previously featured “Almost Had To Start A Fight / InAnd Out Of Patience” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

The veteran British folk singer continues to establish herself as a thoughtful social commentator on her eighth full-length album. Song topics include traditional folk subject matter such as labor rights, along with tirelessly advocating for LGBTQ equality. On many of the tune Petrie accomplishes the difficult feat of crafting pretty songs that also inspire to action.

Previously featured “Black Tie” as a Daily Dose of Protest.  

It took Chicago hardcore band Racetraitor twenty years to release a follow up to their debut album Burn the Idol of the White Messiah. The band is as confrontational as ever, still raging against white supremacy and social and economic privilege. The album rocks with righteous ferocity.  

Previously featured “BLK XMAS” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

This album by the veteran guitarist is a mix of traditional protest tunes and original compositions. Some of the traditional songs are also reworked to be given a modern framework. It features many notable guest contributions including Steve Earle, Tom Waits, Fay Victor, and Meshell Ndegeocello. It is a powerful collection of songs which highlights the continued role that music plays within social movements.

Previously featured “Srinivas” and “The Militant Ecologist” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

The veteran punk artist started writing his third album during the aftermath of the 2016 presidential election. Several tunes reflect on current political affairs. Even though the album borders on bleak, it is balanced by tunes that have a defiant anthemic feel.

Previously featured “USA” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

Cheating a bit by including two releases. Both EPs showcase the political rapper’s potent lyrical onslaught, taking on issues such as police brutality, gun violence, and systemic racism. Sessions is a fresh new voice in the world of socially conscious hip-hop.

Previously featured “Like Me” and “Politics” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

The youngest son of afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti follows in his father’s footsteps by taking aim at governmental corruption in Nigeria. Kuti may have Nigeria in mind, but corrupt government regimes that exploit the poor is a universal issue. The funky backing of Kuti’s father’s backing band adds further weight to the politically charged lyrics.

The Canadian rapper’s concept album explores social issues such as racism, immigration, gentrification, and the environment. The combo of jazzy musical arrangements with the poetic lyrical flow makes the album a vital piece of social commentary. On the album’s closing track, “All I Need” it states that the “the truth is bulletproof” and the potent truths conveyed on this album are needed more than ever.

Previously featured “The Fool Pt 1 (Get It, Got It Good)” and “The Fool Pt 3 (Frame of Mind)” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

Sihasin is a brother and sister drum and bass duo consisting ofJeneda and Clayson Benally, who descended from the indigenous punk trio Blackfire (with their brother Klee). Their music impeccably blends punk and rock influences with traditional native elements. Lyrically they address issues such as cultural and environmental genocide. They create powerful anthems of hope.  

Previously featured “Strong Together” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

The album title and sleeves notes are an indictment of the British Monarchy and how it doesn’t represent immigrants. Instead, each track on the British jazz band’s third album references a different influential black woman. It is an exuberant celebration of black and female excellence. 

The indie rock veterans eleventh and most politically direct album is in response to dealing with the aftermath of the 2016 US election. The timely songs of surviving in Trump’s America deal with dire times without being a dire listening experience.  

Previously featured “What a Time To Be Alive” and “Cloud of Hate” as a Daily Dose of Protest

Too Attached is a Canadian sibling duo made of acclaimed multi-media artist Vivek Shraya and her brother Shamik Bilgi, a successful producer and beatboxer. Angry is a six-song EP which denounces political passiveness and speaks up for the marginalized. Radical politics have never been so catchy.

The tunes on Tune-Yards 4th album is about frontwoman Merrill Garbus acknowledging her white privilege and trying to make amends over her realization of past cultural appropriation. The songs deal with how to use one’s privilege to be an ally to the marginalized. The album is a timely collection of woken dance tunes.

Previously featured “ABC 123” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

The veteran British folk-punker 7th full-length album could be his most accessible and most socially conscious. Even though there are times to be angry, we also need hope. Turner composes a collection of tunes which holds out a much-needed optimism that change is possible.

Previously 5 songs off of the album as a Daily Dose of Protest.

Experimental pop artist Meghan Remy uses her brand of political dance music to examine topics such as unsafe working conditions, drone violence, sexual assault and the murder of First Nations people. There is something subversive about packing such serious messages in catchy pop tunes.

The Baltimore feminist hardcore band’s sophomore album rages against the patriarchal machine with an uncompromising ferocity. They address issues such as gender stereotypes, gun control, female genital mutilation, and personal autonomy. Their take no prisoners approach makes their music a vital act of resistance. 

Previously featured “Anarcha” and “Predator In Chief” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

The Scottish alternative hip-hop trio’s third album features an avant-garde chaotic feel which is well suited to the times we’re living in. The music balances the darkness of the current political world affairs with brief glimmers of hope.

Previously featured “Toy” as a Daily Dose of Protest.

Black metal and black spirituals are two musical genres that generally don’t go together. Somehow Zeal and Ardor mastermind Manuel Gagneux can fuse these seemingly disparate styles to provide captivating social commentary. The album title and title track fittingly allude to Billie Holiday’s anti-lynching protest classic, building on a theme of the senseless loss of black lives.