Pharoahe Monch has played an integral role in the development of underground hip-hop, both as a solo artist and as one-half of the early 90s socially conscious rap duo Organized Konfusion. Monch’s latest project is the rap/rock hybrid trio th1rt3en, which also features Jack White’s drummer Daru Jones and sought-after guitarist Marcus Machado. On January 22 they released their debut […]
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This is a Spotify exclusive episode featuring the songs being discussed. Audio is taken from a recently released video which can be checked out on the Ongoing History of Protest Music YouTube channel.
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Much of the music of the 90s may be associated more with personal angst that political dissension, but it was still a rich decade for socially conscious music. The decade could be considered the golden age of afro-centric hip-hop music. Movements such as riot grrrl and queercore were also important in amplifying women and LGBTQ+ voices. There was a diverse […]
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John Fogerty, the legendary former frontman of Creedence Clearwater Revival is no stranger to composing socially conscious tunes. Songs such as “Fortunate Son” and “Who’ll Stop the Rain” are timeless anthems that were written in response to Vietnam and the Nixon administration. Concerning “Fortunate Son,” Fogerty issued a cease-and-desist order to Donald Trump for playing the tune at his rallies […]
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This is the latest video posted to the recently launched Ongoing History of Protest Music YouTube channel. Previous videos focused on the best protest tunes of the 2010s, 2000s, and 90s. Subsequent videos will focus on the 70s and 60s. These videos are based on articles I wrote for Spinditty, but the selection of some of the tunes might be different. […]
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The Protest Music Hall of Fame is an online archival project to draw attention to the artists, songs, and albums that have made considerable contributions to the historical development of protest music. Part two will focus on the albums and songs inducted. This is an extended Spotify version that features a song off the inducted album and all of the […]
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The Protest Music Hall of Fame is an online archival project to draw attention to the artists, songs, and albums that have made considerable contributions to the historical development of protest music. Part one will focus on the artists inducted. This is an extended Spotify version that features songs from the artists discussed. The episode was originally published on December […]
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New releases always slow down in December, but there was still some notable socially conscious music that came out during the final month of a shitty year. Songs/Videos: Run The Jewels – The Ground Below (Royal Jewels Mix) (featuring Royal Blood) This is a reworking of a tune that appeared on the rap duo’s 2020 masterpiece RTJ 4 (which was […]
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Along with this site, I regularly contribute to Shadowproof. Twice a month a post on this site is also featured on theirs. I have also contributed to their best albums lists, including their list of Top Ten Protest Albums of 2020. I selected five albums and the remaining five were picked by Kevin Gosztola. Eight of the ten albums were […]
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When I was compiling the list of the 40 best protest albums of 2020, there were several excellent releases I was considering that were technically EPs, so I decided to make a separate list instead. The following is presented in alphabetic order by the artist. Backxwash – STIGMATA EP STIGMATA EP by Backxwash This could be considered a companion piece […]
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