Image courtesy of Giovana Fleck.
Music has the power to change communities and shape history. There are countless examples of how music has challenged the status quo and become the face of social movements. Whether it’s anti-apartheid music in Nigera, anti-war music from Ukraine, or feminist protest songs in Latin America, music is often key to authoritarian resistance and community support. But like any mode of powerful artistic expression, music and musicians can be targeted by those who seek to silence or censor voices of change or resistance. In some cases, governments will attempt to ban music that challenges their power, while other times they may attack the artist directly.
On the other hand, music also has the power to amplify voices and promote language diversity. Marginalized communities can use song to teach others about their communities, histories, languages, and more. Global Voices has explored how Roma communities are leveraging music to gain inclusion in Czech society and how Dalit groups in India are sharing their stories and experiences as a form of community resistance. Similarly, there are Puerto Rican rappers working to challenge the hegemony of English in the United States music scene.
To celebrate the stories of music that seeks to change the world, the Global Voices Music Club meets on a monthly basis to discuss music-related stories, plan our music coverage, and simply share songs and musical inspiration from our regions and cultures. Through our global community, we share our musical traditions, offer recommendations and support, and impart our own musical experiences and histories.
Would you like to contribute? For more information about Global Voice’s Music Club email our Music Club coordinator Sydney Allen.
Find our Spotify account here with playlists and song recommendations that pair with our music-themed articles and see some of our recent music stories below.
Stories about Music Club
The Rebirth of Rhumba and the musicians who are bringing the sound to a new generation of music lovers
The emergence of a new generation of Rhumba artists from the DRC, Kenya, and Tanzania who are infusing fresh styles into the Rhumba sound is making it more appealing to younger audiences.
Trinidad & Tobago's Carnival 2023 playlist revs you up, then cools you down
More fun and fabulous tracks from 2023's much anticipated Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, which takes place on February 20 and 21.
From nostalgia to a touch of ‘horn,’ Trinidad & Tobago's long awaited Carnival has a super soca playlist
With less than a week to go until Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, the festival's soundtrack is capturing a wide range of emotions.
Soca star Patrice Roberts’ tribute to calypsonian ‘Penguin’ is woman power’s new take on Trinidad and Tobago’s ‘Soft Man’
Roberts’ decolonial declaration of being human on African, female terms is defined through her contemporary engagement with sexuality, gender, intimacy, pleasure, and violence.
In Togo, singer Elias Atayi uses music as a vehicle for human rights
In Togo, the promotion of human rights is not only the work of civil society organizations. Artists also contribute to the cause.
Togolese music scene embraces globalization without abandoning its roots
Rich in musical and linguistic diversity, Togo is embracing the globalization of its music, which is being recognized on a national and international level alike.
The band that Lukashenka declared extremist sang ‘Zhyve Belarus’ (Long live Belarus!)
Rarely covered by the international media, Lukashenka’s regime is using Stalin-like repression on its citizens. Dissidents are detained and prosecuted and, in many cases now, their family members are too.
Liked Shakira's new hit? Listen to these other empowering songs from the same DJ
Bizarrap and these artists are helping shape pop culture for a safer and empowering space for all women and LGBTQ+ people.
‘How the fuck is it possible?': Russian rapper releases anti-war album
Vladi, a lead singer of popular rap music group, now prohibited in Russia, released a new album, “February Lasts and Lasts.” It describes how incomprehensible and horrifying the Russian invasion of Ukraine is.
Uyghur performers of electronic music spread awareness about Uyghur identity in Europe
A duo of Uyghur electronic music performers, known as NONE SOUNDS, now live in exile in Europe and are gaining visibility as global artists, revisiting the rich Uyghur music tradition.
Can music and feminism help heal border conflicts in Central Asia?
Tajik-Russian pop singer Manizha just released a new song about a young rural Kyrgyz woman learning to play ice hockey professionally, a move that empowers her in her community.
Is modern Macedonian music popular in neighboring Serbia?
Though media in Serbia prefer traditional Macedonian folk music to modern takes, one Macedonian DJ based in Novi Sad is working on introducing modern Macedonian tunes to a Serbian audience.
World Cup theme songs through the ages
World Cup Theme Songs: A Sneak Peek into the Past to the Present
Working through history: Folk on Acid, by Estonian band OOPUS
If you stumbled upon this “folktronica” band at a festival, where many different acts are on the schedule, it might take you a few minutes to realize how special they are.
Meet the new generation of Kenyan women sparking a vinyl resurgence in Africa
Since music listeners have pivoted toward digital streaming platforms, Maia is one of the few artists who views vinyl records as more than just a novelty.
Just a Band’s return comes as Kenya redefines its musical identity
Alternative Kenyan music reached new audiences in 2020 as audiences sought a soundtrack that reflected their new upsidedown reality.
Listen to the 10 allegedly censored singers and bands in Hong Kong
The 10 allegedly censored artists and music groups are Anthony Wong, Tat Ming Pairs, Denise Ho, Rubberband, C Allstar, Dear Jane, Charmaine Fong, Serrini Leung, Kay Tse and Alfred Hui.
Turkey's latest attack on the arts: A provincial governor cancels a long-awaited music festival
While the statement did not specifically mention the upcoming music festival, the event falls under the calendar days mentioned in the statement.
World Record Store Day: These Kenyan DJs are keeping the art of vinyl alive in the digital age
Kenya’s vinyl collectors community has reimagined the day they come together to share in the joy of buying, collecting and listening to all manner of Vinyl records.
Violence against women has been promoted in the Balkans through pop music for 40 years
An artist stirred controversy with her documentary film “Violence against women in domestic songs” where she examines violence against women portrayed through turbo-folk, pop, rap, and hip-hop songs.
Why hasn't Jamaica made Bob Marley a national hero yet?
Marley's shaping of Black consciousness, “lyrical activism,” representation of reggae and Rastafari, and his “One Love” philosophy were cited as part of the bid to make him a national hero.
