Activism can translate itself through a myriad of forms, with music being a notable one of them. Constantly throughout time, musicians and lyricists have worked together as storytellers, using their craft to highlight societal injustices, challenge the status quo, and offer a soundtrack to the movements of their era– from hip-hop to rai music. But it is not only the tales and ideals behind a cause that music is able to embody, there’s also the people supporting them too as a couple of accords, a beat, and a catchy melody are sometimes enough to unite people from all walks of life and backgrounds.
Having become anthems of resistance, hope, and change in their own right, some songs have almost become synonymous with the struggles they represent, epitomizing their very essence and personifying the spirit of their movements to the extent to which you can’t listen to them without thinking of the causes that inspired them (N.W.A’s F*** The Police immediately comes to mind).
As Palestinian voices have historically been muted and silenced, in light of the current tragedy that is unfolding in occupied territories, we have compiled a list of tracks that reference their struggle through punchy lines and hard bars alongside a range of iconic songs related to resistance movements throughout history which deserve recognition.
