Music Activism

Music is a popular and strong platform for communicating messages. Historically, political hip hop developed in the 1980s as a form of social expression to speak about exclusions, injustices and lack of power. It is used to send political messages to inspire action or to convince the listener of a particular viewpoint. It is also clear from fashion styles (as seen below) that their is influence from the Black Panther Party uniforms.

Ice Cube:

Public Enemy:

NWA:

In the present day, Kendrick Lamar and Beyonce have both touched on Black history, political issues and the Black Panther Party: (see sketchbook for further details)

  

One key music activist is Nina Simone, who was an activist in the Civil Rights Movement, and whose powerful lyrics demonstrate racial political messages.