1. (PDF) Pete Seeger, musical revolutionary – researchgate. (n.d.).

Background: This book dives into the life and impact of American folk musician Pete Seeger. It talks about Seeger’s significant role in the revival of American folk music and his ability to use his music for social and political activism. It also speaks on how he advocated for causes such as civil rights, labor rights, and peace. The book provides a comprehensive biography of Seeger and his career trajectory too.

How I used it: I used this book about Pete Seeger to support the idea that musicians during the 60s and 70s almost always used their music to speak about global issues. The example I took from this book was Seeger’s song “Waist Deep In The Big Muddy,” which was about the pointlessness of the Vietnam War. Using this example I supported the idea mentioned.

2. Bharti, A. (2024, February 5). “shame on you!” Grammys under fire for cutting off Annie Lennox’s mic as she pleads for ceasefire in Gaza. MEAWW.

Background: The article speaks about Scottish singer-songwriter and activist, Annie Lennox, who was cut off on live television while speaking on and making a plea to the people for a ceasefire in Gaza. The article talks about the details of the incident as well as the reactions from the audience and the public.

How I used it: I used this article to speak about censorship and how it has continued in the modern world. As well as supporting my reasoning that artists these days are scared of the censorship and blacklisting that comes with using their platforms. The example from the article was Annie Lennox’s cut plea about Gaza. I also used this article to highlight that a modern musician was using their platform to speak out against the injustices of the world.

3. Higa, K. (2022, July 19). 15 artists using music to promote human rights. Human Rights Careers.

Background: In this article, there are 15 artists talked about who use their music to promote human rights. The article talks about artists utilizing their platforms and it talks about multiple musicians and artists who have very diverse ranges. The article provides examples of what the artists mentioned have done.

How I used it: I used this article to give examples of musicians who used their platforms and music during the 60s and 70s to advocate for change. I gave examples like Pete Townshend and Sting. Both musicians inspired others during that time to speak up about global issues present in society.

4. Anderson, M. (2018, July 11). 1. public attitudes toward political engagement on social media. Pew Research Center: Internet, Science & Tech.

Background: This article provides information on research conducted by the Pew Research Center that talks about public sentiments and attitudes regarding political engagement on social media platforms. The research was done due to the rise of the relevancy of social media in modern society and times. The article delves into multiple aspects of political engagement that can be seen on social media.

How I used it: I used this article to provide proof that many Americans now use social media to engage in social and political activities. I also used this article to show that now artists are losing the grip they had on their listeners causing people to become less engaged in social issues.

5. Herron, I. (2022, May 25). The complicated relationship of music and cancel culture. Youth Time Magazine: News that Inspires, Updates that Matter.

Background: This article speaks on cancel culture and how it intertwines with the music industry. Cancel culture has become a modern”trend” seen within the younger generation. The article gives examples of musicians who have faced backlash as well as talks about musicians’ opinions on cancel culture.

How I used it: I used this article to provide a quote saying that an artist’s biggest fear is being canceled. This supports my research proving that cancel culture is keeping musicians/artists from using their music to speak about injustices.

6. Laura. (2001, September 6). Music stars complain about stringent contracts. The New York Times.

Background: This article goes into depth about the music industry and the contracts musicians make with labels. It talks about musicians’ relationships with the contracts and also speaks about historically faced issues related to the terms and conditions of their contracts. The article gives a lot of examples of issues that come with contracts as well as examples of artists who struggled with the consequences.

How I used it: I used this article to give an example of an artist who got stuck in a contract that she would have to be in for 30 years. This is to show that the industry has power over musicians and what they put out.

7. CBS Interactive. (n.d.). Ed Sheeran says he’s breaking free from industry pressures with new album “Autumn variations”: “I don’t care what people think.” CBS News.

Background: This article is about an interview that was had with Ed Sheeran and he discusses his want to make new music and he also speaks about his mindset towards the industry pressures. He talks about creative freedom as well as the challenges he has faced while being a musician.

How I used it: I used this article to talk about how the music industry really pressures artists into making hits and not music that they actually care about. Ed Sheeran speaks about how the industry wants bigger and better music, but not anything that actually comes from the heart. Sheeran also mentions that the industry doesn’t always let artists create the music that they wish to create.

8. Guardian News and Media. (2023, July 27). “no one knew what to do”: When Sinéad O’Connor ripped up the Pope’s photo on TV – the inside story. The Guardian.

Background: This article goes into the incident that occurred on “Saturday Night Live” with Sinéad O’Connor. It describes the reactions to O’Connor ripping the Pope’s picture on live television as well as the aftermath. The article goes into the events that led up to it, O’Connor’s perspective on the incident, her motivations leading up to it, as well as the impact she left on the world.

How I used it: I used this article to provide a real-life example of cancel culture and the effects it has on artists who use their platform or music for activism. During this time O’Connor wasn’t liked around the world due to the “outrageous” act she pulled on stage.

9. Garn, T. (2024, February 15). Boygenius dismantles industry misogynist at Grammys. X96.

Background: This article talks about Boygenius and their involvement with the speech they had during the Grammy’s confronting misogyny within the music industry. The article talks about how they called out specific people, like the ex-CEO of the Grammy’s, and how they are involved in the industry and how the public reacted.

How I used it: I used this article to show how artists may use public platforms to speak out against issues, but won’t use their music to do the same. Which differs from the classic tradition seen before in music from the 60s and 70s.

10. Penalosa, D. (n.d.). Performative activism does more harm than good. The Epitaph.

Background: This article goes into depth about the performative activism that has become present in today’s society. It speaks about the insincere and superficial concern that people have in their support for social causes.

How I used it: I used this article to speak about how now a lot of artists say things about social causes, but don’t actually care about the change they are talking about. I also used it to show that there has been a shift within music today compared to the music that came before it because music now doesn’t call for change in society like it once used to.

11. Smith, C. (2023, February 10). 4 modern day artists who use their music to speak on real-world issues. The Fox Magazine.

Background: This article talks about modern musicians who have used their music to speak about social problems. These musicians are discussed in a positive light and talk about the songs they produce that have brought attention to pressing real-world issues.

How I used it: I used the article to talk about the musicians who have continued to use their platforms and music for good. I also used it to show how the number has really dwindled compared to the 60s and 70s.