At first glance, Bob Dylan, Green Day, and NWA may not have much in common.
But they all have the same goal. That is, they created music that protested the American government and institutions.
Activism and politics have been part of music for centuries, said Michael Campbell, a professor in the School of Music, Dance and Theater.
Even as historical events and musical genres change, Campbell said sharing political beliefs through art remains an appropriate way to connect people and movements. This is often seen in music, but politicians also use this medium to garner support from voters.
Campbell said political music has been around since the French Revolution, but it mainly became popular in the 1960s as protest songs about the Vietnam War.
Around this time, he was a college student and also went to Washington, D.C., to participate in a march against the Vietnam War. Campbell added that one of the most inspirational songs for the anti-war movement during this period was “We Shall Overcome.”
Selene Contreras, a sophomore studying criminology and criminal justice, said music can be a tool for activism because it’s a “universal way that a lot of people can relate to.”
Contreras said all genres, such as listening to rock, Spanish and rap music, bring all kinds of people together, and “no matter how different they may sound, they can actually express the same message.”
Here are some of the political music recommendations listed by sources in this article:
She said artists now often choose to discuss broader ideas such as “peace and unity” in their music rather than talk about political events.
“A lot of the lyrics are actually about people accepting and trying to understand people who are different,” Contreras said.
Campbell said artists do this to attract a wider audience.
“If you want to form the broadest possible coalition, you can’t take extreme positions,” he said.
Why music deviates from activism
Lois Kim, a third-year student studying popular music who also makes hip-hop music, said the art form helped her understand and empathize with the struggles around her.
“Music has definitely helped me in situations where I was struggling or going through a tough season,” he said. “That’s encouraging to me as well.”
Kim said this is demonstrated through hip-hop, which often discusses racism and helps her speak her beliefs through music.
However, he also said that sharing these personal struggles and beliefs may not be supported by the music industry as a whole because it could affect the interests of the industry as a whole. Kim said it is being avoided because it can be controversial and a sensitive topic for listeners.
Anthony Scarmack, a third-year journalism and mass communications student and director of music at Blaze Radio, said people become more politically engaged when they know their favorite artists are the same way. He said he was deaf. On the other hand, artists could face backlash from listeners and music labels for their efforts, he said.
He also addressed Broadway singer Dylan Mulvaney, a transgender artist who received backlash for partnering with Bud Light, and Chapel Lawn’s comments about his choice not to support presidential candidates.
“You can stay out of politics if you want, but like Chapel Lawn, let me tell you this… you’re still going to be an artist and a politician,” Scarmack said.
Kim said he may be making less political music now because social media has allowed musicians to share their beliefs in other ways.
Scarmack was of the same opinion.
“Compared to the ’60s and ’70s, we see artists on different platforms, so we can listen to what they have to say instead of always hearing their voice in the music. ”
Read more: Gen Z’s ‘summer of kids’: How young voters are influencing presidential elections
campaign and music
Campbell said another way music and politics have evolved is through political campaigns that use music to rally support.
The first example, he said, was “God Save the King,” written during a period of political turmoil in Britain.
This can still be seen today in campaigns using popular songs and the participation of guest musicians at gatherings. He said this can be seen in Stevie Wonder’s performance at the Democratic National Convention and in Rufus Wainwright’s use of a cover of “Hallelujah” to respond negatively to President Trump.
Scarmack said using popular songs also helps candidates reach younger audiences. He mentioned Kamala Harris’ use of Charli XCX’s album “BRAT” in her campaign and Kid Rock’s performance at the Republican National Convention.
Why activist music still matters
Scarmack said that while students may not be as politically engaged, activist music can help recreate that excitement that Campbell said he saw in the ’60s.
“Politics really affects us and sometimes[people]have to get caught up in it, but music is a series of ways to help people notice and understand why it’s happening. I think it’s a flow,” Scarmack said.
Campbell said that from his college days to the present, activism has always found a place in music, as long as “the appeal of music was stronger than the resistance of those who sought to suppress it.”
“Music is what brings us together,” Contreras said. “Everyone can have their own type of music and share these messages through that music. It’s very necessary and very important.”
Edited by George Headley, Abigail Beck, and Natalia Jarrett.
Contact the reporter at pkfung@asu.edu and follow @FungPippa at X.
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Pippa Huang Political Correspondent
Pippa is a second year student studying Journalism and Mass Communication with minors in Political Science and German. She is in her second semester at the state news agency. She also worked at Blaze Radio and Los Alamos National Laboratory.
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