Ongoing History of Protest Music

This episode features special guest Isa Burke and Mali Obomosawin, two-thirds of the Americana folk trio Lula Wiles. We discuss their latest release Shame and Sedition. We discuss the motivation behind the album title and some of the political themes developed on the album. We chat about why colonialism is such an important topic to discuss as well.    

This episode features special guest, singer-songwriter Chris Pierce, who recently released the socially conscious album American Silence. We discussed bother the historical and autobiographical details that influenced the tunes on the album. 

This episode features a special guest, mr?e, a Sydney, Australia-based hip-hop artist who is a like-minded protest music collective. We discuss a couple of recently released tunes ("Grand Theft Liberal" and "King Kev (Kev Says)"). We also discuss why he feels that it is important to use his platform to speak up, his musical influences, and other music that he has been working on. He is also the first guest from the future.

This episode features special guest rapper, podcast host, and journalist Time. We discuss his new concept album Nighthawks At McCoys, a collaboration with folk-singer Maudlin Magpie and German producer A Thousands Vows. We discuss the premise behind the album, why he is drawn to socially conscious music, his journalistic work, working with both Common and Noam Chomsky, among other topics. 

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 inducted tunes. The episode was originally published on December 21, 2020.

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 which was originally published on December 21, 2020.

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. This episode announces the inductees for 2020. This is also the final episode for 2020, a new season will be starting in 2021. 

This episode features special guest singer-songwriter, rapper, and producer Jesse Jett. We discuss how the pandemic and current political climate resulted in a creative catalyst which resulted in the 24 track, 90-minute album The Virus. We also discuss his collaboration with Awkword on the tune "10 Demands" and several other projects that he is currently working on. Jett also becomes the first guest to perform live, playing an acoustic version of "Speaker of the House." 

Discusses the emotional impact of the Drive-By Truckers' "What It Means" in light of the murder of George Floyd. Also discusses Andra Day's "Rise Up" and the important emotional outlet that music provides. This is the second episode ever recorded and was originally published on June 1, 2020. This is a Spotify exclusive version that features the songs that are discussed in the episode. 

This episode features Jon Madof and Eden Pearlstein of the band Ruthless Cosmpolitians. They discuss their recently released concept EP Ruthless,  the genesis of the band, and how the creation of the music was cathartic in the current political and social climate. 

This episode features singer-songwriter Steven Keene who recently released the album Them and Us. We discussed the motivation behind the title track. We also discuss other protest songs that he composed, his influences, and why as an artist you can't let a fear of backlash prevent you from creating.  

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. 

This episode features Kaston Guffey of the Americana duo My Politic. He discusses their recently released political concept EP Short-Sighted People In Power. We discussed the motivation behind the tunes, the possibility of backlash, and the musical influences who further help inspire the songs on the album. 

This episode features Karl Evangelista, one half of the experimental music duo Grex (with Rei Scampavia). We discuss the duo's upcoming album Everything You Said Was Wrong which will be released on September 5. Evangelista also talks about the album track "Criminal" which protests against fascistic policies in the Philippines. He explains his personal connection to the subject and the potential ramifications of recording the tune. We also chat about activism, rats, and reparations. 

This episode features Elise Okusami who performs under the name Oceanator. We discuss her full-length debut album Things I Never Said which is out August 28. We also discuss the three-song EP Tear The Fascists Down which she released through Bandcamp to raise funds for the New York affiliate of Survived and Punished, "a coalition of defense campaigns and grassroots groups committed to eradicating the criminalization of survivors of domestic and sexual violence and the culture of violence that contributes to it."  She also discusses her musical influences, the challenges of being a black woman in a traditionally white male-dominated genre, and how sometimes even the act of performing can be a statement of protest. 

This episode features soundbites of interviews from previous guests. It also features songs by these guests.

Songs played on the podcast:

• Spirit of Hip-Hop - David Strickland (featuring Ernie Paniccioli, Artson, Northern Eagle Singers)
• Truth - David Strickland (featuring Maestro Fresh Wes, Que Rock, Soufy, Leonard Sumner)
• Suffocating Evil - Jeremiah Craig
• They Never See Us As Teachers (featuring MC Munk and Big Naz)
• They Don't Give a $$$$ - Street Pharmacy with Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad
• Predator In Chief - War On Women
• Conspiracy - BL Shirelle
• Business As Usual - Louis Rive

This episode features special guest Louis Rive, a singer-songwriter from Glasgow Scotland who has composed several protest tunes. We specifically discuss three of the songs that he wrote and the motivation behind them. We also discuss how the content of his music took a shift with the current political climate and why he feels it is important for artists to use their platform to speak out on issues. 

This episode features special guest BL Shirelle who recently released the album Assata Troi, the first full-length release for Die Jim Crow, the first non-profit record label for current and formerly incarcerated individuals. She is also a deputy director of the label. We discuss Shirelle's motivation behind the album and why she felt it was important to be candid about her personal experiences. We also discuss her work with Die Jim Crow and its campaign to get personal protective equipment into prisons which are heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This episode features special guest Shawna Potter, the frontwomen of the feminist hardcore punk band  War On Women, activist and author. We discuss using your platform to speak up, playing at venues where your presence isn't wanted and the makings of a new War On Women album. We also discuss her activism and her book Making Spaces Safer: A Guide to Giving Harassment the Boot Wherever You Work, Play, and Gather. 

This episode features two special guests, Ryan Guay of Canadian reggae-rock band Street Pharmacy and James Searl of American roots-reggae band Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. The two recently collaborated to compose the protest tune "They Don't Give a $$$$." We discussed the motivation behind that song. We also discussed the importance of using your platform to speak up, the backlash that comes from it and the frustration when your audience doesn't seem to get the message. Guay and Searl also share a few of their influences, discuss how reggae and golden age hip-hop impacted them and the effect that the current pandemic has had on them and the music industry.    

This episode features special guest Jeremiah Craig, who recently composed the protest song "Suffocating Evil" in response to the murder of George Floyd. We discussed this song along with other socially conscious songs that he has written. Craig also has a popular YouTube channel where he makes videos about Cowboy Boots. He discussed the backlash he has received from speaking out, but why he felt that he needed to do so.

This episode features two special guests, Juno and Grammy-winning producer David Strickland and Canadian Hip-Hop pioneer Maestro Fresh Wes. We discuss Strickland's new album Spirit of Hip-Hop, which also features an appearance by Maestro on the album track "Truth." We also discuss some of the social issues addressed on the album, indigenous culture and the evolution of Canadian Hip-Hop. 

Discusses the emotional impact of the Drive-By Truckers "What It Means" in light of the murder of George Floyd. Also discusses Andra Day's "Rise Up" and the important emotional outlet that music provides.