America’s issues with systemic racism are partly due to a failure of recognizing past atrocities. This fact is highlighted by “Atlantic” the new tune by acclaimed Canadian rapper Haviah Mighty. In 2019, Haviah Mighty’s debut album 13th Floor won the Polaris Prize, an award that goes to the best Canadian album based on artistic merit. She was the first hip-hop […]
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This episode features audio from the very first video from the Ongoing History of Protest Music YouTube Channel (without the background music). Also, I give a shoutout to my first patron Bryony Fearn, who hosts the excellent program The Music Is The Message on 2BBB, an Australian community radio station. I also made a YouTube playlist featuring the tunes featured in the […]
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This episode features Ray Patrick and Dan Stroud of the alt-rock band Last Kiss Goodnight. They discuss the motivation behind their latest protest song “45” and how it is about more than just Donald Trump. They also talk about the formation of the band, new music that they’re working on, and their musical influences. I also invite listeners to leave […]
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This episode features Christine Moad, the bassist and vocalist of the Iowa based band Miss Christine. We discuss her latest protest tune “Truth In Song”, the band’s debut album Conversion, previous protest songs she composed, and why she feels it is important to use her platform to speak up. She also talks about her work on the Bernie Sanders campaign […]
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“We have to excise a malignant cancer from the body politic. But that’s just the beginning. Real politics is what you do before and after you push the lever. You have to keep your shoulder to the wheel: engagement, activism, organizing – that’s what will make the difference.” The following statement by Noam Chomsky was included at the conclusion of […]
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This episode features Quinton “Yung Trybez” Nyce and Darren “Young D” Metz of the Canadian indigenous hip-hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids. They talk about their latest single “Where They At”, which features fellow indigenous rapper Drezus. We also discuss their previous recordings, plans for a new album, using their platform to elevate others and systemic racism within Canada. The […]
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As we get closer to the US Presidential election there has been a spike in protest music. Much of the music released is either directly aimed at Trump or discusses the importance of voting. As with the previous months, there is also music that addresses issues of systemic racism, police brutality, and a variety of other social concerns. Also, in […]
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This episode features art rocker Kapil Seshasayee. We discuss his 2018 debut A Sacred Bore, a concept protest album dealing with the caste system, which is part of a three-album trilogy. We also discuss a couple of the singles from his upcoming follow-up album Laal, which sheds a light on issues connected with Bollywood. Seshasayee also shares his thoughts on […]
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The Canadian indigenous hip-hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids released “Where They At” a new single and visualizer. The banging tune features frequent collaborator, veteran Canadian indigenous rapper Drezus. The tune isn’t as explicitly political as many of their songs, but it is a celebratory statement of defiance and resilience. “Where They At is addressing the haters and naysayers throughout […]
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“This Machine Kills Fascists.” The following was emblazoned on Woody Guthrie’s guitar. Guthrie used his weapon of choice to compose timely songs of protest which still remain relevant. One of those tunes is “All You Fascists Bound To Lose” which Guthrie wrote back in 1942. The song was recently reworked by the Resistance Revival Chorus and Rhiannon Giddens. The tune […]
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