Topic Two – Popular Music and Social Change in the Present

Although protest songs and songs intent on social change have a long and rich history in the United States, the last decade of the 20th century saw

a marked decline in the tradition of socially conscious music and protest songs. However, the 9/11 attacks, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the

aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and, more recently, the Occupy Wall Street movement have provoked renewed interest in protest songs and those that

promote social commentary. As in the topic above, pick a song — or songs — that actively address a contemporary social issue and you believe are or

may be instrumental in bringing about social change. Describe the topic and its relationship to social change, then tell the reader how the song or

songs addressed that topic, and, finally, offer an informed opinion as to the effectiveness of that song or those songs in bringing about social

change.

Paper to respones:

Inspiring Social Changes through Music

Modern-day America is seen throughout the world as a place of freedom, of equal rights and opportunity for all who may venture to the country.

However, for many years, the same haven of equality was once responsible for the oppression and enslavement of a people, African-Americans from all

corners of the globe. Racism and discrimination, though vastly improved from the days of slavery, are still very much present in America today. The

presence of such discriminatory behaviors is often met by force, and while some confrontations occur physically, there are few ways as effective of

reaching a vast population as music.

Countless songs, sung in protest, have been written and recorded throughout the twenty-first century, though very few had more of a global impact on

society than Sri Lankan recording artist M.I.A. Her release of “Born Free” accompanied by a music video, depicting a world in which red-headed

citizens were hunted and killed in brutal fashion, captured the essence of global discrimination and the stand that must be made against it. “Born

Free” challenges citizens to take action against oppression, rather than be complacent with the condition they are faced with.

M.I.A., who was raised in Sri Lanka during a time of violent rebellion (Bajoria 1), begins the song by recalling the discrimination she faced

personally as a child. She sings, “I was close to the end staying undercover, staying undercover with a nose to the ground I found my sound”,

mentioning her near death experience while hiding from rebels and how she found strength through adversity. From her lowest point she continues to

narrate her life as she escapes Sri Lanka to London, singing, “Got myself an interview tomorrow I got myself a jacket for a dollar, and my nails are

chipped but I’m eager, and the car doesn’t work so I’m stuck here”. M.I.A. shows, through this line, that she had very little when she left Sri

Lanka, but she had her freedom and was ready to live a life of opportunity, mentioning an interview that she had barely managed to buy a jacket for.

She capitalizes on how grateful she is to have the opportunity to be her own person, despite having suffered from hardship and oppression, by

repeating the chorus throughout the song, “I was born free”, reminding the audience that they do not belong to anyone or anything.

In my opinion, “Born Free” was an eye opening anthem that shattered the typical pop-genre stereotype that controlled the music charts at the time.

The grungy, heavily distorted guitar combined with loud, crashing cymbals and echoing delay of M.I.A.’s vocals was unlike any popular track at the

time, and gave the song a deeply-rooted sense of rebellion. “Born Free” sparked a change in the music produced after its release in 2010, especially

in African-American culture with artists like D’Angelo and Kendrick Lamar, whom both released albums confronting black-culture in America and

changes that need to be made among citizens of all races and genders. I believe that artists like M.I.A. started a musical movement in the United

States that is inspiring more and more individuals to find the confidence to confront hardship, regardless of what form it may come in and take

action.