{"id":276720,"date":"2024-10-14T12:00:35","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T11:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=276720"},"modified":"2024-12-15T07:17:26","modified_gmt":"2024-12-15T07:17:26","slug":"what-happened-to-protest-music-around-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2024\/10\/what-happened-to-protest-music-around-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"What Happened to Protest Music around the World?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Artists Mohammed Assaf, Kehlani and Macklemore don keffiyehs in solidarity with Palestinian liberation. Design by River Kerstetter. GETTY IMAGE<\/p><\/div>\n

The success of Macklemore\u2019s \u201cHind\u2019s Hall\u201d offers hope for a resurgence of protest music.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

7 Oct 2024 <\/em>– Before February\u2019s Grammy Awards, hundreds of protesters<\/a> rallied off the red carpet in downtown Los Angeles to demand an end to Israel\u2019s ongoing genocide in Gaza. During the ceremony, singer and activist Annie Lennox performed a\u00a0tribute to the late singer and activist Sin\u00e9ad O\u2019Connor, then proclaimed: \u200b\u201c<\/span>Artists for ceasefire. Peace in the world!\u201d Lennox\u2019s was among the only political commentary from an artist at the\u00a0show.<\/p>\n

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Mainstream musicians\u2009\u2014\u2009a group once instrumental in amplifying sociopolitical causes and movements\u2009\u2014\u2009have largely stayed silent lately. The business of entertainment pop, as it stands, discourages artists from engaging in protest, pushing them to explore safer, perhaps more commercially viable themes<\/a>. Their absence has not only diminished the cultural resonance of contemporary social issues\u2009\u2014\u2009making it harder to galvanize widespread support and awareness\u2009\u2014\u2009but adds significant risk for artists who do take political\u00a0stands.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In a\u00a0recent interview<\/a>, singer Kehlani lamented how her career has taken a\u00a0hit since her loud support of Palestinian liberation efforts in 2023<\/span>. \u200b\u201c<\/span>I have experienced a\u00a0lot of pushback; I\u2019ve experienced a\u00a0lot of loss,\u201d she said. \u200b\u201c<\/span>Magazines and brand deals and opportunities that were sad to lose, but at the end of the day, I\u00a0don\u2019t regret doing something. \u2026 I\u00a0can look myself in the\u00a0mirror.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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