Student Choice -Modern Protest Music

Anthony Reid
Jul 22, 2017 · 2 min read

During the time in the class, we learned about and discussed protest music and how it has been used in different ways throughout history. This type of music allows those fighting for a cause to use anthems to broadcast their emotions through lyrics. It is way to make expressing the opinions of many easier, as the songs are sung by big groups of people. From the civil rights movement to political government protests, the use of songs by protesters sends a strong message through the individuals to motivate the cause.

A recent (and pretty explicit) example of a protest song would have to be YG and Nipsey Hussles’ “FDT (F*ck Donald Trump)”.The song is a blunt example of protest, just off the title alone, and has many characteristics of songs that are considered protest songs. This song is a protest of the reality TV star as he ran for president of the United States. With their music video reaching around 17 million views, the song and messaged reached a vast majority of viewers, attracting criticism and following alike. The video was so controversial that police tried to shut down the production after being alerted by a tip, but were unsuccessful (Wikipedia). The song uses the common theme of repetition in its chorus, as YG exclaims his detest for the now president. YG also talks about his positive relationship with immigrant, specifically Mexican, workers. This is backlash to Trump’s open mocking and taunts about these workers. The lyrics also delve in the past thoughts of Trump before running for president, and how in black and other communities, his wealth was idolized. The rest of the song, however, shows the change in the culture due to Trump’s bullying and hateful campaign antics. This just was not a “black against white” thing however, as many critics of the song tried to push for, as prominent Caucasian rappers G-eazy and Macklemore remixed the song criticizing Trump’s comments on banning Muslims from the US.

The song was met with harsh criticism, but is a prime example of how protest songs are used to generate a consensus feeling that many feel and making it easier to broadcast to others. It is in my opinion one of the most unifying protest songs of 2016. Even with the success of the song, YG almost could not released on his album, “Still Brazy”, with threats from US Secret Service incoming, but he was convinced by with producer to do it anyway (Genius). Through the rights like the first amendment that we have, especially in the US, powerful songs like this will continue to be created for popular and unpopular opinion, and is one of the great examples of a protest song in recent memory.

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