Exposing Modern Activism in Music
Today’s activist musicians have abandoned the protest anthem in favor of social media campaigns. The “golden era” of rock music, consisted of artists using their music as a potent tool for rebellion and societal reform, leaving a mark on the cultural landscape. However, as music continued to develop the activism that once came with rock music has waned in the modern era. Now fewer artists, to almost none, use their platforms for social change and activism. But some may not agree with this. People out there may believe that musicians have continued to remain engaged in activism through evolved methods.
To them, the spirit of activism remains strong within the music they listen to and the creators of their favorite songs. According to The Fox Magazine, “Vic Mensa…is giving back to his roots by using his platform to address the lack of fresh water in parts of Ghana.” While Mensa is speaking out for the people of Ghana, he is doing so through his platform. Since the “golden era” of rock consisted of artists using their music as a direct vehicle for social commentary, this approach represents a departure from tradition. While many modern artists continue to use their social media platforms to advocate for social justice and amplify the voices of those who cannot be heard, there is a noticeable stray from the when artists sang about the problems they wanted to highlight and proclaimed hopes for societal change through their music. Instead, activism has taken on new forms, with artists using their influence and platforms to address issues outside of their music. In this case, Mensa’s advocacy for the people of Ghana serves as an example of this evolving approach to activism within the music industry.
Social media is a major outlet for modern musicians to use their voices, but some even take it on stage to live audiences. At the 2024 Grammys, Phoebe Bridgers of the band ‘Boygenius’ spoke out against the former CEO of the Grammys. In the article, by x96 news, the author says, “Not only did Bridgers criticize… she also highlighted the sexual assault allegations Portnow faces, bluntly telling him to “rot in piss.” This example illustrates how performers are increasingly using awards stages to use against individuals, but often fail to address the same issues in their music. While Bridgers’ onstage protest is a powerful form of activism, it differs from the tradition of artists using their music to speak about social injustices or abuses.
However, upon closer examination, the assertion crumbles. While it may be true that a lot of modern musicians use their platforms to talk about the issues that are now present in the modern world, the depth that these artists go to with their engagements is not enough in comparison to the revolutionary changes that were witnessed during the “golden era” of rock. Activism today often feels performative or done for personal gain rather than the raw energy and commitments that helped characterize the protests of the past. For example, in 2020 when the Black Lives Matter movement was at its peak, a lot of celebrities took to their social media to speak out. Amongst these celebrities were a handful of modern musicians. In an article, by The Epitaph, some of these musicians are listed, including but not limited to “…Katy Perry, Britney Spears, Drake…” These three musicians participated in something that was called “black out Tuesday.” It was a trending hashtag across multiple platforms where people would post a black square. For this movement, the black square did nothing. It was all performative.
Much of the “golden era” was spent influencing supporters to help make changes in the society that everyone lived in. Music was the main contender and it spoke to the listeners. Musicians cared what they were writing about and told their followers to make a difference in the world they lived in. For example, there were a lot of the “protest anthems” during the time of the Vietnam War. Many did not know what the war was about or how it was being approached, but music made that much of a difference. People listened and understood that it was not something they approved of. One major example out of many is, John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance.” He had a major following and released this to speak to his audience.
The debate surrounding performative activism in the music industry is complex and multifaceted. While some modern musicians have been applauded and appreciated for their genuine concern and commitment to social justice causes and their impactful activism, others have faced criticism for engaging in performative gestures that prioritize publicity over genuine advocacy. Overall, the “golden era” of rock is what had major effects on the social injustices surrounding the world.
References
Garn, T. (2024, February 15). Boygenius dismantles industry misogynist at Grammys. X96.
Penalosa, D. (n.d.). Performative activism does more harm than good. The Epitaph.
Smith, C. (2023, February 10). 4 modern day artists who use their music to speak on real-world issues. The Fox Magazine.
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Counterintuitive Spring 2024 
Could I have about 45 minutes worth of feedback please?
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It’s 11:15. You can have until midnight, ILoveMyDog.
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That’s a lot of “those people, these people,” ILoveMyDog. Your claims are vague at the top of the essay, so by the third “people” your less attentive readers may bail out of impatience. Better to start with specifics. Once you claim that “almost none” embrace activism, you should probably pivot immediately to a rebuttal example.
You further delay by first qualifying today’s activism as restricted to social media. I wonder if you couldn’t have gotten here with more steam if you just started your entire essay with a bold claim that “today’s activist musicians have abandoned the protest anthem in favor of social media campaigns.” Once you get that claim made (and thereby invited your reader to specifically engage in their own speculation), you can go immediately to your example. It’s hard to see what language you’d still need from your opening if you just skipped past it.
It’s clear you don’t object to artists using their platforms for activism, ILMG. But you do miss the days when artists SANG ABOUT the problems they wanted to highlight, the HOPES FOR SOCIETY they wanted to proclaim. Try to say the specifically, to remind readers of your position.
This is an interesting example of a performer using an awards stage to agitate about the executive in charge of the program, but it’s quite different, isn’t it, from a song about a more generalized and institutionalized sexual abuse? If you’re headed in the direction of that comparison, don’t bury it in the next paragraph. Be a good tour guide. Let us know where we’re going. “artists speak out against individuals from stages, but not against systems in their songs” is the gist of what you’re going to sell us. We read the Bridgers paragraph nodding in assent if you tell us in advance it’s what we’re going to get.
It’s not really a protest against sexism, is it? It’s an accusation against a sexist. Not the same thing. Say it fast and clean.
I’ve described this in class as “Just Passed Scenic Views,” ILMD. You’re preparing us to witness the scene after we’ve already read it. Post the “Scenic Views Ahead” sign instead.
That was 35 minutes’ worth, LoveMyDog. I owe you a bit more, but I have a lunch date. While I’m gone, if you have time to respond, you could instruct me how to proceed with the rest of my time. More of the same, or something different?
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You could respond with the same as you have been, thank you.
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OK, let’s see what I can do in 15 minutes or so:
—You’re doing lovely work here, LoveMyDog, so take what I have to say now as a “for what it’s worth” comment. You’re probably right about the slightly cynical “participation” of your three named musicians in the Black Lives Matter agenda, but you haven’t provided any evidence of their insincerity. A skeptical reader could easily respond by asking you to demonstrate the sincerity of the bands you present as paragons of social activism or protest. Unless there’s a disconnect between the “performative” actions they take as artists and their private conduct, we have no more reason to trust anybody’s motives or to suspect either “type” of mimicking sincerity for personal gain.
—I think I’ve mentioned Sinead O’Connor before. When she tore up a photo of the Pope on live TV to protest the Catholic church’s leniency toward pedophile priests, she knew for sure what a massive risk she was taking. She destroyed her career, and I couldn’t be more impressed.
—Again, that’s pretty easy to say. I’m thinking of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Goin’ On?,” widely recognized as an artist willing to tackle tough subjects instead of sticking with love ballads. That seemed like a sincere willingness to take big risks.
—Again, I concur with your point of view, but my agreement doesn’t amount to anything like a proof. Regarding the anti-war protests of the early 70s, the artists who made big statements on big records were COUNTING ON the full support of their audiences. They may have been registering their displeasure with their government, but so were the vast majority of rock record buyers in those days. It would have been riskier to support the war by far.
—A better example would be the Dixie Chicks, whose audience were “redneck country music consumers.” When THEY went public with their protests, their fans punished them good. Nobody could possibly accuse them of being “performative” the way you’ve used the word above.
—I’m going to round out this conversation by suggesting that 1) art is performance, 2) everything artists do is therefore performative, 3) if your audience are anti-government, anti-establishment, anti-1%ers, then expressing their sentiments is good business, and therefore, 4) it’s hard to credit musicians as “golden age” artists unless you mean “gold record” sellers.
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You seem to be doing your best to consider and respond to my recommendations, ILoveMyDog. I don’t know what more I can offer without repeating myself. I’ve regraded your post to reflect the improvements you made to the early paragraphs a few days ago.
If you want more Feedback I will gladly provide it, but you’ll have to ask me very specific questions.
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