CPS

Sacred Tibetan Chant CD nominated for Grammy
9th December 2003
Sacred Tibetan Chant: The Monks of Sherab Ling Monastery has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Traditional World Music Album. The chants were recorded at the monastery on the outskirts of Dharmsala more than a year ago and the album was released in January 2003.

Cancelled concerts hailed as "victory over homophobia in pop music"
8th December 2003
Jamaican reggae star Bounty Killer has cancelled his forthcoming UK concerts following protests over his homophobic lyrics. Gay rights group Outrage! has claimed his lyrics, which have called for gay men to be killed and burned alive, should be enough evidence to arrest the star for inciting and advocating homophobic violence.

North African rap reflects upon France's colonial history
8th December 2003
North African rap group Mafia Maghrebine take an uncompromising look at the consequences of France's colonial struggles in Algeria and its devastating consequences: "Too much hypocrisy. The Maghreb is imploding, while Europe enriches itself" (Frere Faut que tu Saches from their album Sang pur sang arbi).

Arabic-Israeli rap reflects myriad of social problems
8th December 2003
Arabic hip-hop group MWR (which stands for Mahmoud, Waseem and Richard), like their rap counterparts Dam and Tammer, use hip-hop as a medium for discussing their struggles with discrimination and poverty: "Why are we living in a time without happiness and hope? When you're looking for a job they gonna fire you, 'cause you're an Arab. Why can't we be equal?" (Because You're An Arab)

Conscious rap album dedicated to Lebanese youth
8th December 2003
Clotaire K's debut album Lebanese, released earlier this year, is a hip-hop release reflecting his Lebanese and Egyptian origins. Fluent in three different languages - French, Arabic and English - the album reflects the struggle of those living with dual cultures. The album is "a testimony to Lebanese youth all over the world to unite and reclaim our homeland".

dead prez release F**k the Law
5th December 2003
Political hip hop group dead prez have released their new single @#%$ The Law in response to their September 27th 2003 arrest in Crown Heights, NYC for disorderly conduct during a photo shoot. As a consequence of the incident, SticMan is said to be suing the NYPD for false arrest and various civil rights violations. The song has already been banned by numerous stations in the US due to its incendiary subject matter.

Steve Earle documentary released
5th December 2003
Just An American Boy - a documentary tracing the controversy surrounding Steve Earle following his release of the song John Walker's Blues about the American Taliban fighter John Walker Lindh and Earle's anti-war stance

Documentary about Israeli rappers released
5th December 2003
Channels of Rage - a documentary featuring two Israeli rappers has been released. The director Anat Halachmi followed two rising stars of Israeli rap for three years - Subliminal (Kobi Shimoni) a Jewish rapper who considers himself with pride as a Zionist and an Arab rapper called TN (Tamer Nafer) who has won popularity amongst the Arab youth. The documentary was winner of the Wolgin Award for best documentary at the 2003 Jerusalem film festival.

N-Run Wrekords presents Corporate America - The Album
4th December 2003
N-Run Wrekords,  the brainchild of a former Enron employee, has released a hip hop album entitled Corporate America to educate urban youth on ethical American corporate culture. More information

Musicians Against Sweatshops
3rd December 2003
Musicians Against Sweatshops is an organisation, supported by Billy Bragg, Chumbawamba, Asian Dub Foundation, Chrissie Hynde and others, to drive sweatshops out of the music merchandising business and to empower garment workers around the world to resist exploitative working conditions.

Chinese Communist Party repackages Mao Zedong as rap artist
2nd December 2003
China Record Company has released an album entitled Mao Zedong and Us to honour the 110th anniversary of Mao's birth on December 26. The album includes new versions of a song collection by the former Chinese leader such as The Two Musts, The East is Red and Serve the People.

46664 concert marks World Aids Day
2nd December 2003
Former President Nelson Mandela and music icons including Bob Geldof, Bono, Brian May, Annie Lennox, Beyonce and Anastacia have performed at 46664 AIDS benefit concert at Green Point Stadium. A recording of the concert is available on the official website.

Black Sabbath drummer releases protest song
27th November 2003
Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward has released a song entitled Straws: "The song represents my fear towards yet another violent escalation of arms, and what seems to be an inevitable war with unaccountable consequences". This limited edition release is also available for download from his website.

Music Festival commemorates end of Apartheid
26th November 2003
Cape Fest World Music Festival, which takes place in Cape Town, South Africa from January 9-14 2004 will mark the 10th anniversary of the end of Apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela as its first black president. Performers include Ini Kamoze and Yami Bolo, roots DJ Prezident Brown and dub poet Mutabaruka.

Hip-Hop Team Vote Launched
26th November 2003
Hip-Hop Team Vote is a voter-registration initiative launched by the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) and inspired by Russell Simmons of Def Jam Records. According to the website, "hip-hop is an enormously influential agent for social change which must be responsibly and proactively utilized to fight the war on poverty and injustice". 

Re-launch of Scottish Music Centre
25th November 2003
The Scottish Music Information Centre, formed in 1968, has been re-launched and renamed. The Scottish Music Centre, with its extensive audio archive of classical and traditional music, has the most comprehensive collection of Scottish music anywhere. Visit their website www.scottishmusiccentre.com

Resistencia: Hip-Hop in Colombia
21st November 2003
Resistencia is a documentary chronicling a summer in the lives of some of Colombia's finest rappers, DJs and breakdancers offering a glimpse of the countries long-running civil war through the eyes of the youth directly affected by it.

Attempted killing of Cambodian pop star
21st November 2003
A Cambodian pop singer Touch Sunnich was in a critical condition after an attempt was made on her life. The singer, who is renowned across the kingdom and regarded as the voice of Cambodia's royalist FUNCINPEC party, is also famed for her rendition of royalist party's anthem.

Former Nirvana Bassist to run for office
21st November 2003
Krist Novoselic, co-founder and former bassist of Nirvana, has caused speculation that he will run for the office of Washington State lieutenant governor. Novoselic is already active in Democratic party circles.

Raptivism Records releases No More Prisons Vol.2
20th November 2003
Raptivism Records has released the second volume of the No More Prisons compilation to raise awareness about prison expansion in the USA and raise funds for The Prison Moratorium Project. The album includes Mystic, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Zion I, Crooked Lettaz (feat. David Banner), Saigon, Grandmaster Caz, dead prez and others. The album can be purchased online from www.amazon.com, www.sandboxautomatic.com and www.hiphopsite.com  

Parisian rappers slammed for anti-Semitic lyrics
20th November 2003
French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy has announced that he intends to bring charges against Parisian rap group Sniper for their lyrics which he has described as anti-Semitic, racist and insulting. Sniper insist their lyrics merely reflect life in the banlieues and the reality of the Muslim political consciousness in Europe. Their song Stone Thrower has caused particular controversy; it is alleged to condone suicide attacks against Israel: What would you do if they killed your father, destroyed your house? I speak for me, Umhak Allah. I would go and make carnage. Bare hands face an army ready to kill; to blow yourself up is just resistance.

Freedom Sings
19th November 2003
Freedom Sings is a program of musical concerts sponsored by the First Amendment Centre to raise awareness of the link between music and the First Amendment. It explores the history of music censorship in the USA from confiscated songs in 1735 to present day music, including rock 'n' roll, rap and social anthems.

Tell Me Lies...an evening of poetry, protest and song
18th November 2003
An evening of poetry, protest and song with Adrian Mitchell, Mark Steel, Mike Rosen, Saadi Yousef, Sarah Maguire, Janie Dee, and Tino Gonzalez and band is taking place on Wednesday 19th November 2003.

Israeli hip hop's subliminal message
14th November 2003
Subliminal and The Shadow are Israeli hip hop artists whose lyrics reflect upon the Arab-Jewish conflict; their album The Light and the Shadow includes the song Divide and Conquer: To think that an olive branch symbolizes peace. Sorry, it doesn't live here anymore. It's been kidnapped, or murdered. There was peace, my friend. Handshakes, fake smiles. Treaties signed in blood. Where is God?

Benefit compilation for Afghan women
10th November 2003
A benefit compilation CD for the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) has been released. This double CD features 34 artists from the SF Bay Area. All proceeds from the sale of the CD benefit RAWA.

Bard's words set to dance music
10th November 2003
Musician Martin Treacher has released an album of Burns lyrics set to dance tracks. The first single from the album entitled Burn It Up! will be The Haggis Song, a Scottish flavoured jungle mix of Address To A Haggis.

Russian Deputy Chief releases album
6th November 2003
Vladislav Surkov deputy head of the Russian Presidential administration has collaborated with Russian band Agata Kristi to release an album entitled Penninsulas.

Happy Xmas (Let the War Be Over)
6th November 2003
A new version of John Lennon's anti-war anthem Happy Xmas (War is Over) has been released by Australian singer Delta Goodrem. Happy Xmas (Let the War Be Over) has been updated from the 1971 original to reflect current times.

Through the Hollow Bamboo: Tibet in Song
6th November 2003
Former Prisoner of Conscience, Ngawang Choephel's documentary entitled Through the Hollow Bamboo: Tibet in Song is a work in progress documenting Tibetan music and culture. It is narrated by Richard Gere and features footage shot in Tibet prior to his imprisonment by the Chinese government in 1995.

Hip hop campaign song for Philadelphia Mayor
5th November 2003
Officials for Philadelphia Mayor John F. Street penned a hip hop song entitled Street Life to support his recent electoral campaign. The song was performed by Philadelphia rap group Dem Boys.

Punk movement revived in Ulster
5th November 2003
The spirit of punk - the only social movement to unite Catholic and Protestant teenagers in Northern Ireland - has been revived in Ulster; home of the Undertones and Stiff Little Fingers.

Punkvoter aims to unify the youth vote
4th November 2003
NOFX lead singer Mike Burkett, also known as Fat Mike, has founded Punkvotern - a coalition of punk bands, musicians, and record labels which aims to educate, register and mobilize progressive voters: "Punk rock is about taking an in-your-face attitude in order to rebel against the problems of our society. Its time to engage the punk rock spirit into today's political battles".

Sound Demos Protest Iraq Occupation
3rd November 2003
Recent demonstrations in Tokyo protesting the US-led occupation of Iraq used music to attract crowds and disrupt the sleep of the visiting US President. The demos named Get Bush Fired and Get Bush Tired were a novel form of political protest dubbed sound demos or political raves.

Imitation of Life
31st October 2003
Andrew O'Hagan reviews three titles, for the New York Review of Books, on the subject of one of hip hop's most successful and controversial figures: "Eminem did not invent pill-popping, hooky-playing, misogynistic, gun-toting, gay-bashing, dope-smoking, incarceration-friendly, potty-mouthing, gangland America, he merely makes music about it, songs that appear to connect with millions of people's sense of truth".

Protest in Harmony Workshop
31st October 2003
Protest in Harmony! Radical Song Workshop takes place in Edinburgh on Saturday 22nd November. Proceeds of the workshop will be donated to Amnesty International.

Berlusconi releases album of love songs
31st October 2003
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has launched a CD of Neapolitan love songs. The album entitled Better A Song includes songs My Heart in My Throat, Without You and This False Goodbye.

Re-launch of Music for America
29th October 2003
The organisation Music For America has been re-launched with the goal of introducing young people to politics through cultural events: "Our strategy is to use culture to educate and inspire young people about political events. We're reaching out through music, media, the internet, and live shows to demonstrate the connection between culture and politics".

New album from Phi-Life Cypher
29th October 2003
Luton-based Phi-Life Cypher are due to release a follow-up album to their much lauded Millenium Metaphors debut. Phi-Life Cypher are a four piece hip hop crew who include MCs Life, Si-Philli and Skit Slam and DJ Nappa. Higher Forces is due for release on 17th November.

Former Enron employee releases rap record
27th October 2003
Rapper NRun (real name David Tonsall) is a former employee of Enron, who lost his job following Enron's collapse into a record bankruptcy in 2001. His debut album Corporate America criticises former Enron chairman Ken Lay and ex-CEO Jeff Skilling. It is due for release on December 3.

46664 AIDS benefit concert to be hosted in Cape Town
23rd October 2003
Bono, Beyonce Knowles, Eurythmics, the Corrs, Youssou N'Dour and Ladysmith Black Mombazo are amongst those to perform at the AIDS benefit concert 46664 at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town on November 29. The concert, due to released on CD and DVD early next year, is named after the prison number Nelson Mandela wore during his imprisonment in Robben Island, The track 46664 (Long Walk to Freedom) written by Bono, Dave Stewart and Joe Strummer has been released.

Love Music Hate Racism - The Album released
23rd October 2003
The Love Music Hate Racism campaign, which has organised tours, festivals and club nights in the UK has released a debut 17 track compilation album featuring Doves, Basement Jaxx, The Bees, Coldcut, Sugarbabes, Turin Brakes and many more. All profits will go to helping LMHR in their goals of "building a mass movement around music, turning passive anti-racism into active anti-fascism. The Love Music Hate Racism campaign is organised by the Anti Nazi League.

Palestinian rap group release debut album
22nd October 2003
Palestinian rap crew Dam combine the modern, urban sound of western rap music with traditional sounds culled from the Arab world. Dam (translates as Continuation) employ powerful political lyrics about racial discrimination and social marginalisation. Dam's independently released debut album is entitled Min Irhabi (Who's the Terrorist).

What About Us?: A Hip Hop Compilation About the Consequences of War
21st October 2003
Hard Knock Records has released a hip hop compilation that “sets out to expose the consequences of war and how it affects out communities”. What About Us? features Michael Franti & Spearhead, Blackalicious, Zion I, Abstract Tribe Unique, The Frontline, Raashan, Non Prophets, Rico Pabon, Hobo Junction, The Piper, Cool Nuts featuring Bosko and more.

Political rap song from Burma
21st October 2003
A rap song about the decline of Burmese society and the need for democracy was released by the Burmese group Myanmar Future Generations. The seven-minute Lu Nge Anthem 2003 (Youth Anthem 2003) features samples of the Burmese national anthem and the voice of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Polemical release from Rickie Lee Jones
21st October 2003
Rickie Lee Jones’ new album The Evening of My Best Day is a response to “the election of George Bush; the passage of The Patriot Act; the monopolies of media and their misuse of language”. The album includes the tracks Tell Somebody (Repeal The Patriot Act Now) and Ugly Man.

Anti-Flag release new album
21st October 2003
Political punk group Anti-Flag have released a new album entitled The Terror State which includes the tracks Death Of A Nation, Postwar Breakout and Turncoat in which the band brands President Bush as a "turncoat, killer, liar, thief". Anti-Flag will embark on the six-week Death of a Nation Tour in the United States.

Protest song blasts New York's anti-smoking law
21st October 2003
A blues-based, satirical song by The Lawn Sausages has criticised Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno for his backing of New York state's anti-smoking law. The song is entitled Smoke This, Joe Bruno!: "They say Uncle Joe used to smoke a couple packs a day, but now that he's a senator, he's got the nerve to say, 'You can't smoke in restaurants, you can't smoke in bars, you can't even smoke in a corporate car"

Songs of Freedom Event
20th October 2003
The launch of Songs Of Freedom, in conjunction with the Big Issue (Scotland) and the Miscarriages Of Justice Organisation, is taking place in Cottiers Theatre, Glasgow on 30th October 2003. The event will include performances from The Larry Love Showband (Alabama 3 acoustic set), Zuba, Clova and Staccato Set.

New album release from Pete Seeger
20th October 2003
A new album from songwriter, musician and political activist Pete Seeger entitled Seeds - The Songs Of Pete Seeger: Volume 3 by Pete Seeger and Friends has been released. This double CD includes Pete’s first new disc since 1996 plus a 2nd disc of new recordings of Seeger material by Janis Ian, Tom Paxton, Natalie Merchant & more. The CD includes Bring Them Home (If You Love Your Uncle Sam), an update of Seeger’s anti-Vietnam song. 

Protest singer turned cabinet minister
20th October 2003
Gilberto Gil was one of Brazil’s most famous singers and composers and part of the popular anti-establishment movement Tropicalia; his oblique yet incendiary lyrics criticising the military dictatorship resulted in a prison sentence in 1968. In January 2003, Gil was appointed Brazil's Minister of Culture.

Islamic hip hop from Canada
17th October 2003
Canadian Islamic hip hop group Iron Crescent (MCs Impact, Ridicule and Treacherous) reflect on current world events: "To make everyone frantic over blackout panics/you're becoming foolish by bringing these fears/And the fact you blamed Canada also seems weird/But the ironic part that put me into tears/ Is that our power was out for one day, and you put Iraq's out for years." The album IrOnCrEsCeNt ThA' aLbUm is available from 9th November 2003.

Billy Bragg compilation album released
17th October 2003
A double CD of Billy Bragg songs marking a 20 year career in music was released on October 6th 2003. The 40-track, double CD entitled Must I Paint You A Picture?: The Essential Billy Bragg will also include a 10-track, limited edition bonus CD of rarities.

Musical about the life of Mother Teresa
17th October 2003
A musical about the life of Mother Teresa, which marks her five decades of helping the poor in Calcutta, set to reggae, funk and pop songs is being performed in a Rome theatre prior to late nun's beatification by the Pope.

The Agenda for Century 21
16th October 2003
The Used Johnny’s have written an anti war song entitled The Agenda for Century 21: “Despite massive world-wide opposition and peace rallies Bush and Blair blindly press on with their own agenda to secure world resources regardless of public opinion”.

Political songs from Papa Dish
15th October 2003
Progressive folksinger Papa Dish has written a selection of political songs including The Last Voyage of the Condoleezza Rice, The Ballad of John Ashcroft and The Indictment of Ken Starr.

New Zealand’s Green Party releases CD
15th October 2003
New Zealand’s Green Party and Loop Recordings have collaborated to release The Green Room 002: Wahine which celebrates women in New Zealand's contemporary music culture. The compilation follows on from the Green Room 001: Eco-nation, released in 2002.

Political hip hop release from Salad Bowl Records
15th October 2003
Salad Bowl Records is the brainchild of Demian and Cal Paradox; their first release is East of Eden. The album features Demian, Cal Paradox, Mayra Gomez, and Doom.

Political satire of George W Bush
15th October 2003
A new political satire of George W. Bush performed from environmental troubadour/ eco-folk-rocker Bill Oliver and the Lost Otters entitled George W. from Texas (Ten Gallon Smirk).

Let’s Put a Folksinger in the Whitehouse
15th October 2003
Austin-based folksinger Lisa Rogers had written a campaign song entitled Lets Put a Folksinger in the Whitehouse asserting that any US citizen should be able to run for President.
 
Amaze Me: Songs in the Key of Peace
15th October 2003
Amaze Me: Songs in the Key of Peace is a compilation CD of songs for peace. The CD features songs by US independent female musicians from across the country: “The album issues a challenge for America to ‘amaze us’ while also raising money for organizations working for peace”.
 
I Don’t Want to Be a Soldier
15th October 2003
George Mann and Julius Margolin have written a new song entitled I Don’t Want to Be a Soldier: “The song is dedicated to all the victims of Bush’s illegal invasion and especially to the young men and women who might be considering joining the AWOL coward Bush’s armed forces”.

Joe Strummer Remembrance Sunday
14th October 2003
A Joe Strummer tribute concert, organised by singer / songwriter Atilla the Stockbroker, is to take place on Sunday November 9th, 2003 in Brighton. Performers include Jim Bob (ex Carter USM), John Otway, TV Smith, Attila the Stockbroker's Barnstormers, Robb Johnson and more. All proceeds from the event are to benefit the Strummerville charity.

Bands Against Bush release CD
14th October 2003
Bands Against Bush, a self-explanatory new artistic collective dedicated to lending its support to the "struggle against a world of perpetual fear and violence bolstered by the Bush administration" is releasing a compilation CD entitled Rock Against Bush. The CD will be accompanied by a Rock Against Bush Tour around the time of the next U.S. presidential election. The CD and tour are being organized and funded by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes and NOFX singer/bass player Fat Mike.
 
Tell Us the Truth Tour
14th October 2003
Tom Morello, Steve Earle and Billy Bragg are embarking on a 13-date Tell Us the Truth Tour of the USA in November 2003. The tour aims to raise awareness on current media reform and trade issues.

The Red Flag revived at Labour Party Conference
6th October 2003
The traditional anthem of the international labour movement was revived, after three years' absence, at the recent British Labour party conference in Bournemouth.

Chumbawamba re-release English Rebel Songs 1381-1984
6th October 2003
Originally recorded in 1988, anarchist British pop band Chumbawamba have rearranged and re-record these songs of protest. Including The Cutty Wren, written during the Peasant’s Revolt of 1381, Kay Sutcliffe’s Coal Not Dole about the 1984-5 Miner’s Strike, The World Turned Upside Down and Hanging on the Old Barbed Wire.

Sergio Ortega dies aged 65
6th October 2003
Sergio Ortega, composer and pianist, and key figure in the New Chilean Song movement has died of cancer aged 65. His best-known works are Salvadore Allende's election theme, Venceremos (We Shall Triumph), and the hymn of resistance, El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido! (The People United Shall Never Be Defeated).

Arnold Schwarzenegger campaign song
6th October 2003
We're Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister has been named the official song for Arnold Schwarzenegger's Californian Governor electoral campaign.

Black Eyed Peas top British charts
6th October 2003
American hip-hop crew Black Eyed Peas have topped the UK music charts with their pacifist ballad Where Is The Love. The song, featuring vocals by Justin Timberlake, focuses on rising world conflict in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

911 Power To The Peaceful Festival
11th September 2003
Michael Franti's 5th annual 911 Power To The Peaceful Festival took place on 6th September in San Francisco. The event began to raise awareness and give support to political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal, although the event now acts as a remembrance to the terrorist attacks of September 11.

Former KLF founder releases 9/11 tribute song
11th September 2003
James Cauty, the founding member of The KLF and The Orb, has released a track to mark the second anniversary of September 11. The track Silent Night released under the guise of Blacksmoke is only available to download today.

Farm Aid 2003
11th September 2003
The 16th annual Farm Aid concert took place in Ohio including performances from Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, John Mellencamp are more.

Coldplay take part in WTO protest in Mexico
10th September 2003
British rock group Coldplay is campaigning to give poor countries better access to global trade as 4,700 delegates from the World Trade Organisation's 146 member nations meet in Cancun, Mexico. Coldplay are participating in a campaign called Make Trade Fair.

Chao cancels show over band member
5th September 2003
Manu Chao cancelled his show in Malaga following controversy centring on band member Fermin Muguruza, a Basque musician and former candidate for the now illegal Batasuna political party. Batasuna was the political wing of the Basque armed separatist organization ETA.

Berlusconi pens love songs
4th September 2003
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been working on seven songs for a CD with guitarist Mariano Apicella. The release of the album, Meglio 'na Canzone (Better A Song), has been postponed several times and was originally due to come out last year.

Tribute album to Gordon Lightfoot
3rd September 2003
A tribute album to Gordon Lightfoot has been released including performances by Bruce Cockburn, Cowboy Junkies and the Tragically Hip, performing the 1968 political song Black Day in July which chronicled the aftermath of Detroit's 1967 race riots.

Mayoral candidate releases protest song
29th August 2003
San Francisco mayoral candidate Jim Reid has released a protest song criticizing proposed bus far increases. The song, Who's Looking Out for Us? written and performed by Matt Swindells, Steven Copozolla and Alex James Muscat, is the first in a series of campaign songs.

Rwandan Presidential election campaign anthem
28th August 2003
Tora Kagame, a song by Ugandan DJ Junior, became an anthem of the Rwanda's first presidential polls since the 1994 genocide. The Kinyarwanda song calls on the electorate to vote for President Kagame.

Jeffrey Archer farewell song
28th August 2003
Disgraced Tory peer and novelist Jeffrey Archer, sentenced to a four year sentence for perjury and perverting the course of justice, was presented with a song written by inmates of Hollesley Bay Prison on his release. The song, a tribute to Archer, was written by the prison's rock band, The Seven Deadly Sins.

Wal-Mart protest song
26th August 2003
Just Another Wal-Mart Town is a protest song resurrected to protest the proposed development of a Wal-Mart superstore.

Zimbabwean musician banned from airwaves
26th August 2003
Leonard Zhakata 's latest album entitled Hodho (early shot gun) has been banned from radio by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).

Songwriter calls for greater democracy in Hong Kong
25th August 2003
Marianne King, a musician from Hong Kong, has contributed to the current political debate over the government's proposed security laws and performed at a series of June rallies calling for greater democracy.

East Timorese band urges political leaders to listen
25th August 2003
The world’s newest nation has expressed disquiet in their new found independence through rock music. East Timorese band Vi-Almaa X's hit single Rona Ba (translated from East Timor’s national language Tetum to mean Please Listen) is aimed at the country's political leaders.

Grand Theft America
22nd August 2003
Grand Theft America is an animation based on Katherine Harris' purported rigging of the Florida voting system in the 2000 election. Animation from Eric Blumrich with music from Grand Theft Auto.

Socially conscious hip hop from Deep Thinkers
22nd August 2003
Kansas City hip-hop duo Deep Thinkers inject a socially conscious message into hip hop with the release of their self-released album Outlook. Aaron Sutton (Brother of Moses) and producer Kyle Dykes' new release The Next Move is scheduled to be released Nov. 4.

Pauline Hanson protest song
22nd August 2003
Former Australian politician Pauline Hanson was recently sentenced to prison by a Brisbane court for electoral fraud. Her lawyers have launched an appeal against her sentence and Ms Hanson's son, a singer-songwriter, has plans to record a song in protest entitled Innocence.

Government protest from Zimbabwean dub poet
22nd August 2003
Raymond Majongwe, Secretary-General of Progressive Teacher's Union of Zimbabwe and singer-songwriter, has released two protest albums currently banned by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) for their political content. His revolutionary debut album, Which way Africa?, a 12-track debut album of dub poetry was followed this year by Kamuzu Banda.

Capitol Steps: Between Iraq and a Hard Place
21st August 2003
Capitol Steps, the US political parody writers, are touring the US with their new political sketch comedy Between Iraq and a Hard Place, whose cast of characters includes George and Laura Bush, Hans Blix, Saddam Hussein, Bob Dole and more.

Scottish politicians perform at Edinburgh Festival
21st August 2003
Scottish politicians from across the political spectrum performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The Rainbow Revels, a group of Labour, Conservative, SNP, Green and SSP politicians, offered a selection of satire and ballads.

China fights Sars crisis through song
20th August 2003
At the height of the recent SARS crisis, Chinese state television broadcast a lighthearted rap song about the face mask designed to guard against infection.

Nigerian rappers against fraud
20th August 2003
Nigerian rap group JJC & 419 Squad (419 refers Nigerian banking fraud scams) have endeavoured to repair the West African country's image with their debut album Atide.

Sonic Jihad release from Paris
20th August 2003
Radical political rapper Paris, perhaps best known for 1992's Bush Killa, has released a new album entitled Sonic Jihad which wages warfare on the so-called War on Terror. A new track Evil is available for download.

Soldiers of Allah offer message of Islam
18th August 2003
Los Angeles-based Islamic rap group Soldiers of Allah is the brainchild of is the brainchild of Ali Ardekani. Songs include Muslim For Life, Rise For Islam and I Pledge the Allegiance, offering a call to Muslim unity to Muslim unity and an opportunity for young people to learn about Islam.

Resurgence of message rap
18th August 2003
Message rap has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity of late with the success of gay rapper Caushun, feminist rapper Ursula Rucker, Christian rappers Pigeon John and The Cross Movement and Arab-Muslim rappers, Sons of Hagar.

Freedom Highway: Songs That Shaped a Century
18th August 2003
Freedom Highway: Songs That Shaped a Century is a festival focusing on the powerful role of music and song in the political struggles and liberation movements of the 20th century. Contributors include Chumbawamba, Victor Heredia, Angel Parra, Steve Earle and Dick Gaughan.

New Zealand farmer pens protest song
18th August 2003
Ross Agnew, singer-songwriter and farmer from New Zealand has penned a song protesting a proposed government levy on farmers to fund research into agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

Bands Against Bush
15th August 2003
Bands Against Bush is a diverse, international resistance group of artists and musicians opposed to the Bush administration's foreign and domestic policies.

Veteran politician releases rap album
14th August 2003
Veteran British politician and former Labour cabinet minister Tony Benn has collaborated with rap artist Charles Bailey on a rap album. Tony Benn's Greatest Hits is a collection of his top 10 speeches and the album is available at www.hmv.co.uk. Sound clips available at www.hmv.co.uk (go to Music albums & search under Tony Benn Charles Bailey)

Protest over proposal to change Malaysian national anthem
11th August 2003
Government proposals to change Malaysia’s national anthem have been met with widespread resistance. Malaysiaku (My Malaysia), the proposed new anthem which has alternative lyrics and a more upbeat tempo is to replace Negaraku (My Country) with the hope of encouraging greater patriotic fervour. More information

Kenya rap becomes party anthem
10th August 2003
Unbwogable (Unbeatable), the hit single by Gidi Gidi Maji Maji which topped charts
in Kenya, was adopted by the National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) during the recent 2002 election campaign.

Cherie Blair leads dance craze
6th August 2003
Cherie Blair, wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, caused controversy over her rendition of the Beatles’ classic during a recent diplomatic visit to the Chinese capital Beijing. A dance remix of the song is reported to be gaining notoriety in the holiday resort of Ibiza.

Gay rap album released
6th August 2003
Gay rapper Caushun (pronounced caution) regards himself as the first openly gay rap artist in a genre consistently criticised for its inherent machismo and homophobia. His debut album is entitled Proceed with Caushun.

Senators break into song
5th August 2003
11 US Democratic state Senators won national notoriety by staging a May walkout of the Texas senate in an effort to thwart a proposed Republican redistricting bill. The self-titled Killer D's, who successfully opposed Majority leader Tom DeLay's proposed congressional map, penned a song entitled the Killer D's of Texas to celebrate their political success.

Song critical of US media coverage of Iraq war
28th July 2003
Country singer Merle Haggard has released a song, That’s the News, critical of the US media's coverage of the war in Iraq. The song chides the media for focusing on celebrity news while fighting continues in Iraq: "Politicians do all the talking, soldiers pay the dues/Suddenly the war is over, that's the news".

New release by David Rovics
23rd July 2003
David Rovics has released a new CD entitled Return, the theme of which is the Palestinian struggle and the right of return of Palestinian refugees. The CD includes the tracks The Death of Rachel Corrie, Palestine, Occupation and After the Revolution. Return is now available in its entirety for free download at www.mp3.com/davidrovics or for purchase at www.davidrovics.com

Political hip hop release from the Unpeople
15th July 2003
London-based hip-hop collective The Unpeople inject a socialist-revolutionary message into a genre dominated by the nihilism and materialism of gangsta rap with the release of their self-titled debut album. The Unpeople, named after British historian Mark Curtis' term for human beings who impede the pursuit of high policy and whose rights, often lives, therefore become irrelevant offer a highly political message reflecting their dedication towards the fight against globalisation, capitalism, imperialism and fascism. Featuring samples from Noam Chomsky and John Pilger, the album deliberates upon a range of issues including the recent war on Iraq, the liberation of Palestine, the AIDS pandemic and sweatshop workers in Indonesia. The album is available from www.subversive-elements.co.uk

David Rovics pens song on death of Palestinian activist
19th March 2003
David Rovics has written a song entitled The Death of Rachel Corrie. According to David, "Rachel Corrie was an activist from Olympia, Washington. She was murdered three days ago by an Israeli (state) terrorist, who purposefully ran over her with an American-made bulldozer.  She was trying to prevent another innocent Palestinian family's house from being destroyed.  That is, she was trying to prevent yet another criminal, terrorist act from being carried out by a criminal, terrorist state that calls itself Israel."
China bans Rolling Stones hits
17th March 2003
The Chinese government has ordered the Rolling Stones to axe four of their best-known hits from their forthcoming concerts in Shanghai and Beijing: Brown Sugar, Honky Tonk Women, Beast of Burden and Let's Spend the Night Together.

New Peggy Seeger song available for download
17th March 2003
A new song from Peggy Seeger entitled The Cavemen is available for download from the Union Songs website.

Former war correspondent releases protest record
8th March 2003
Martin Bell Media Junkies is a satirical track about tabloid journalism described as "a humorous, hard hitting and satirical look at the public's insatiable appetite for news" featuring Former war correspondent, Martin Bell. Proceeds from the record are going to UNICEF.

George Michael airs views on Iraq war
3rd March 2003
In an interview for BBC programme HARDtalk, singer George Michael, tells Tim Sebastian why he is against the idea of a war against Iraq.

Protest song criticises media sensationalism
28th February 2003
Scandal Lust is a new song by NYC-area singer-songwriter Kevin Healey. According to Healey, "The song basically accuses the news media of ignoring important events in favor of sensationalism. The term "scandal lust" refers to the public' appetite for sex, violence, and celebrity. Too often, the news media indulges the public's scandal lust for the sake of profit, thereby forsaking their responsibility to inform and educate."

Vietnam Songbook Tribute Concert in NYC
28th February 2003
Barbara Dane has recently performed at a tribute to the Vietnam Songbook, the 1969 collection compiled with her husband, Irwin Silber, editor of the influential folk magazine Sing Out! The event was organized by two New York musicians and producers, Kim Rancourt and Don Fleming.

Serbian hip-hop group attack political elite
18th February 2003
Serbian hip-hop outfit Belgrade Syndicate released the song Govedina (Beef) - an explicit verbal attack on the new political elites in Serbia and Montenegro.

"Euro biased" song causes controversy
18th February 2003
A primary school in Swindon has pulled out of a music festival over the inclusion of a "politically biased" song on the subject of Europe.

Songs parody US security measures
14th February 2003
An announcement from the US Department of Homeland Security urged Americans to prepare for a terrorist attack involving biological, chemical or radiological weapons. Following the announcement to prepare disaster kits which should include duct tape amongst other essential items, many songs were written on the subject including Duct and Cover and Duct Tape.

Protest song in support of British Fire-Fighters
13th February 2003
Who is This Man Called Bain? was written about the ongoing fire fighters dispute in Britain. The independent review of fire service, commissioned by the Labour government, is headed by Sir George Bain.

Georgy Bush Project offers political parodies
11th February 2003
The Georgy Bush Project: Keep America Voting for Progressives offers a number of political song parodies including Enron Pension (Can't Get No), Fun Fun Fun (til Ashcroft Takes Our Freedom Away), Son of a President.

Italian Prime Minister releases CD
16th January 2003
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is rumoured to be releasing a CD entitled A Song Instead comprising 18 original compositions. The proceeds from the CD are going to UNICEF.

Clash frontman dies, aged 50
6th January 2003
Joe Strummer of The Clash died on 22nd December 2002 from a heart attack, aged 50. Strummer was regarded as the man who defined punk's political and musical radicalism.

Updated: 19 March, 2007 | Site editor | Legal