Angelica Babiera | Arts Editor || Alicia Del Re | Contributor
Featured image: These 17 songs reflect the wide range of socio-political issues of 2017. | Basma Elbahnasawy
The year 2017 was the year of wildfires, hurricanes, floods, shootings, sexual harassment allegations, and more. It was the year of devastating news for those who are constantly othered by society. Although it had its beautiful moments, with the total eclipse and innovative stances like the Women’s March, 2017 reflected a very deep truth about us humans: in whatever horrible event that has happened, people will still come together to make everything right and good again—and last year’s music has beautifully captured the essence of this truth. From Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z, to Kamasi Washington and Logic, the music of 2017 justly tells the tales of conflict with power, love, and hatred.
1) XXX. – Kendrick Lamar ft. U2:
At one point in your life last year, a friend or a family member probably praised Kendrick Lamar’s album DAMN. Don’t get us wrong, we totally agree with your hypebeast cousin’s approval of Lamar’s creative flows and ability in exposing raw thematic issues of racism and religion in a Black America. The entire album—to say the least—is a masterpiece. “XXX.,” in particular, triumphs over the other songs in Lamar’s album. He and U2 collaborated in creating a song that delves into socio-political and religious issues. In “XXX.,” Lamar addresses moral ambiguity with his desire for revenge and his faith in God. When Lamar’s friend tells him that her son died due to violence, Lamar decides to pursue violence for his idea of justice. The song undoubtedly expresses Lamar’s grief for those who are constantly trapped in a violent situation because of their race, gender, and class. He ultimately decides that fighting fire with fire is the only way for Black America to attain the kind of peace that they have been longing for.
2) The Story of O.J. – Jay-Z:
In Jay-Z’s acclaimed album 4:44, “The Story of O.J.” is the song that resonates with the struggles of being Black in America. The rapper composes a song about the “Trial of the Century,” a trial where former NFL running back O.J. Simpson was accused of killing his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. At the same time, Jay-Z uses a sample of Nina Simone’s “Four Women” to convey the varying treatments of four different Black people from others. “The Story of O.J.” encapsulates the Black narrative of wanting to be looked at beyond skin colour.
3) Land of the Free – Joey Bada$$:
Joey Bada$$’s political song is about the gruesome history of African-Americans in the “Land of the Free.” The rapper focuses on mass incarceration, police brutality, and President Trump’s jurisdiction. Joey Bada$$ concentrates on his anger towards the history of oppression that Black people have been experiencing, by rapping lines like “They disorganized my people, made us all loners / Still got the last names of our slave owners.”
4) Sister/Nation – BrockHampton
“Sister/Nation” is a two-part song in BrockHampton’s Saturation III. “Sister” is about drug addiction, mental health challenges, and how to cope with these issues. Meanwhile, “Nation” focuses on the historical oppression of the LGBTQ and Black communities. One of the most resonating lines is: “Wonder how the world would be if I had no face / If I had no heart, if I had no skin / And I was just thoughts, reminiscing / The things always brushed off / Had my father try to tell me I was just soft…”
5) 1-800-273-8255 – Logic ft. Alessia Cara, Khalid
Logic released “1-800-273-8255” in 2017 to create a powerful conversation about suicide and mental health issues. The title is the number to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a smart tactic that could save thousands of lives. The song gives others hope, and if you watch the music video, it will give you more reasons to hold on.
6) Kept Woman – Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes is one of my favourite bands (this is Angelica talking); I couldn’t stop listening to their 2017 album Crack-Up. One of the most powerful songs in the album was “Kept Woman,” a song about a woman named Anna who exchanges sexual activities for food and shelter. Even though Anna doesn’t know what to do with her life, she does everything she can in order to survive, conveying a message about the strength of women.
7) I’m Not Racist – Joyner Lucas
Joyney Lucas’ “I’m Not Racist” is about the relationship between Black and White people in America. Lucas raps about the struggles Blacks often face in America due to the historical relationship between these two groups. With lyrics like, “n***a, that word was originated for you to keep us under / And when we use it, we know that’s just how we greet each other / And when you use it, we know there’s a double meaning under…,” you are sure to get hooked on the preachable lines Lucas spews.
8) Deathless – Ibeyi ft. Kamasi Washington
Kamasi Washington wrote a song about her experience with police brutality. She was wrongfully arrested at the age of 16 in Paris due to her race, and her producers encouraged her to write about her experience. Washington speaks about the injustice and fear that comes with being a person of colour.
9) Now – Miguel
Miguel’s song “Now” in his new album War & Leisure is one of my favourite songs this year. It’s melodic and has components of a church song, from the addition of acoustics and a choir-sounding ensemble that opens the song with harmonizing the word “ah” in the background. “Now” is about the perceived “problem” with immigrants and refugees in America, as well as Donald Trump’s opinions towards the country’s Mexican population.
10) At the Purchaser’s Option – Rhiannon Giddens
“At the Purchaser’s Option” essentially follows a historical advertisement for an enslaved woman. In a Vox article, Giddens explained what inspired her to write the song: “I just started thinking about what this young woman—what her life was really like… not having any agency over any part of her life.” Giddens allows her listeners to really think about and understand what it’s like to be oppressed and othered constantly by society.
11) The Storm – Eminem
At the 2017 BET Awards, Eminem freestyled “The Storm,” which is a song that targets President Donald Trump’s actions. The “Rap God” makes reference to NFL athletes taking a knee instead of standing and respecting President Trump and calls him a “racist 94-year old grandpa.” He also warns his fans by letting them know that “a fan of mine who’s a supporter of his, I’m drawing in the sand a line, you’re either for or against.” He freestyles the truth and stands up to oppression. Eminem makes it clear that Donald Trump is not a president of the people—he is a president for only some of the people.
12) FDT (F*** Donald Trump) – YG feat. Nipsey Hussle
Another song about Donald Trump is “FDT” by YG, and featuring Nipsey Hussle. “FDT,” which stands for “F*** Donald Trump,” is a protest anthem that makes people want to stick their middle fingers up in the air because of the relationship between Black America and the president. YG is an artist who is very straight-up and honest, similar to Eminem, and “FDT” is a song with no hidden or censored messages. It is as simple as it can be, with the message right there in the title.
13) Woman – Kesha
Last year was one that showed how powerful women are. In Kesha’s song “Woman,” she sings about how women are strong on their own and do not need a man. In 2017, many women spoke up about being sexually assaulted in their professional, domestic, and dating lives. It was a year where voices were heard. Women are indeed equal to men, but are often mistreated because of the patriarchal society we have been living in. Kesha fought for her rights and spoke up for all women on her Rainbow album.
14) Nothin’ New – 21 Savage
“Nothin’ New” by 21 Savage is a song that addresses police brutality and racism. The song explains the real struggles of what it is like to be a Black person in America. 21 Savage is brutally honest, so that people can understand “his world” with a clearer mindset—it should not matter what skin colour a person is, because we are all the same. Black people are no different than White people, but are unfortunately still treated differently. In “Nothin’ New,” 21 Savage confronts multiple issues, and also calls Trump a “bum” in the music video. Although inequality still exists, it is crucial that these voices are heard to try to spread acceptance.
15) Let Me Out – Gorillaz
Gorillaz released “Let Me Out” before Donald Trump was appointed president, yet it still targets Trump, explaining how the world will fall apart with him as president. The song became popular because of its politically charged essence. Much has happened in America and the rest of the world since Trump became the president of the United States, and the song creates a kind of hope that everything will soon change for the better.
16) Mi Gente – J Balvin and Willy William
“Mi Gente,” which translates to “My People,” was a popular dance song in 2017, but many do not know its underlying message. J. Balvin and Willy William created a song that erases the concepts of race, skin colour, boundaries, walls, and languages. They fortify their beliefs into the ideal that everyone is the same, and that no one should be treated differently. The song focuses on accepting one another for who we are. “My People” means all people, because we are equal. “Mi Gente” is a song that was written for the whole world—and it was definitely heard.
17) What About Us? – P!nk
What about us? What about the men? What about the women? What about all the people? P!nk’s “What About Us?” is another political song for America. It is about the pain and suffering of people who feel unsafe and invisible within society. Trust, love, and peace need to be spread, as many are left unhappy and abandoned. “What About Us?” reminds us all that all people are important, and everyone matters. Together, we can overcome anything. Although there were a lot of unfortunate events in 2017, 2018 can be the year of better and brighter days.
