Static Live Magazine July 2020

MUSICAL ACTIVISM
“Songs can speak to a movement or an individual or even evoke a sense of community among a group but what does it do if we don’t get out there and DO something
in 2020
By Candice Beu
“Let’s take musicaL
activism to new heights
in 2020 and take some
reaL action rather than
simpLy repeating history.”
with it? With the knowledge we have about the problems our society faces today there also comes a sense of responsibility. We must lean in and meet our
problems with a humility and openness to respond to humanity’s actual needs, responses based in educated actions that back up our words or in this case, our
music. I do believe musical activism in the form of songwriting is a necessary tool.”
Are you mad? Are you frustrated with the current state
of the world? Are you feeling the need to speak up,
make your voice heard and do your part to bring about
change? A lot of us are feeling this way. So what do we
do with overwhelming anger and upset? How do we use
these emotions more proactively? As civil rights activist,
memoirist and poet Maya Angelou said “You write it.
You paint it. You dance it. You march it. You vote it. You
do everything about it. You talk it. Never stop talking it.”
She explains that we should be angry right now but we
must not let our anger turn bitter. She says “Bitterness
is like cancer. It eats upon the host.” We can’t push it
down or bury it, we have to use its energy productively,
as a propellant forward. Let us not merely burn with an
inner fire that could scorch us and everyone around us
but instead let this momentum fuel our creativity, spark
our inspiration and energize our motivation to repair
our world. Good art rarely comes from happy people.
Art is always an expression of our own questions,
experiences, insights and most often, our pain. So how
can we best use what we have to offer as Artists to move
society forward?
We could sit behind our screens, behind our instruments,
behind our keypads contemplating life from a distance
and channeling our feelings into a song, but I ask
you this…to what end will that song actually create
systemic change? I’m not denying that music can play a
pivotal role in activism. Songs can speak to a movement
or an individual or even evoke a sense of community
among a group but what does it do if we don’t get out
there and DO something with it? With the knowledge we
have about the problems our society faces today there
also comes a sense of responsibility. We must lean in
and meet our problems with a humility and openness
to respond to humanity’s actual needs, responses
based in educated actions that back up our words or
in this case, our music. I do believe musical activism in
the form of songwriting is a necessary tool. However,
currently there are a ton of amazing civil rights/protest
songs that have already been written by relevant
sources. There are so many Artists from all walks of life
who are supporting the Black Lives Matter movement
on the worlds stage. Black Comedians, Musicians and
Filmmakers are using their visibility to come out against
injustice hard right now. Hip Hop and R&B’s response
to the death of George Floyd has been prolific. Songs
such as J Cole’s “Be Free”, Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright”,
Beyonce’s “Freedom” (feat. Lamar), Jay Z’s “Spiritual”,
Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power”, “This is America” by
Childish Gambino and “Hands Up” by Daye Jack (feat.
Killer Mike) are all having viral revivals lately. Even
classics like Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come”,
Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” and Marvin Gaye’s
“What’s Goin On” are finding new significance. The
emotional impact and relevance of these songs (and
many more like them) exude the power and credibility
of today’s issues. Getting an unknown “protest song”
heard in this climate may be an uphill battle in an
already flooded market. Perhaps the musical efforts
and artistic skills of the rest of us may be better put to
use elsewhere, for the highest good, for the time being.
Sure it’s awesome to write music and feel like we’ve
done our part, but right now that seems more like the
musical equivalent of saying “my thoughts and prayers
are with you”. Let’s not confuse sitting on a couch
writing a song with getting off the sofa and helping
someone. If we are honest with ourselves there are
probably more selfless ways we could use our talents
to join the cause and impact lives. What if we forged
ahead with a different kind of musical activism instead?
Lets go beyond aspirational or resonant songwriting
and venture into a new kind of ACTION based musical
reform that sets out to work from the ground floor
up, one on one, with real people, people who would
benefit from an interaction with someone who
knows music. If you have a stage and spotlight,
use it wisely to educate and disseminate accurate
information. Create new platforms that shine a light
on silenced voices so that they may bring awareness
and education to others through their stories and
experiences. Offer a price break to help someone
create tracks, record vocals, and produce their own
songs of protest and awareness. Better yet, try
teaching them how they can do that for themselves.
Raise folks up by helping them rise through the
ranks. Give a leg up. Offer a job or opportunity. Be a
connector to booking agents, managers and higher
ups. If you are ‘in the know’ then show someone the
ropes and how to make the real money in some of
the various entertainment industries. Start up music
programs for the young, old or underprivileged in
your area. Support music and art programs that are
already in progress. Anonymously donate to causes
that help the oppressed or to individuals you suspect
may be in need. Personally pay for music therapy
for someone by buying them an instrument and
lessons, getting them a vocal teacher, a producer or
a songwriting coach to work with. If you are artistic
and knowledgeable about racism, culture or social
psychology you could assist others in learning more
about the nuances of equality, privilege and history by
way of writing, music and art. There are so many ways
to aid in advancement, innovation and expression
while addressing the challenges of our time. Art in all
its forms can voice dissatisfaction and dissent within
any oppressive societal regime and it can also offer
fresh solutions, comfort and connectivity through
finding common ground.
Anyone who understands the power of music, who can
direct musical self expression, and support people in
telling their story would be beneficial to the cause.
It’s the perfect time to model non-defensiveness,
humility, and selflessness by being open to learn from
and collaborate with diverse groups of youths and
adults while taking steps towards justice, equality
and healing together. I’m not saying not to write
or perform your own musical expressions, but in
addition to that we could also look for ways to back
up what we sing about. If you are going to create a
sonic experience about current events then perhaps
you can do what songstress Madison McFerrin did
with her evocative “Can You See”. The proceeds from
this acapella masterpiece, which you can find on
bandcamp.com, go 100% towards Breonna Taylor’s
Family GoFundMe. We can all figure out fresh ways
to reach out, donate, address real problems and help
real people. Dive in there, grassroots style, with eyes,
hearts, and minds wide open. Sure, it might be nice
to be seen as the next John Lennon but he already
wrote “Imagine”, so now why don’t we imagine what
else we can do and go do that instead. We can all find
ways to do better by this world, be it interpersonally,
individually or globally. Let’s take musical activism to
new heights in 2020 and take some real action rather
than simply repeating history.
“I did then what I knew how
to do. Now that I know better,
I do better”
-Maya Angelou
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