Protest as patriotism
To sing the praises of the United States of America has always been a complicated venture. And now, after another year of violence, inequality and protest breaking out across our nation's lines of division, raising a glass and lighting fireworks on the Fourth of July might seem out of step with the march toward justice. But even so, there is much about this country worth celebrating, including our right to sing songs of protest, pointing out wrongs and banging out rhythms in the name of progress. Its in that spirit that Okayplayer presents a new 4th of July playlist, dubbed Protest is Patriotic. From the wounded hope of Donny Hathaway's "Someday We'll All Be Free" to Public Enemy's righteous fuck-you to those in power, below you'll find some of the most poignant, passionate and funky anthems from the past and present. Celebrate this nation today, but do so mindfully; if you're hesitant to toast to the nation we're in today, consider toasting to a better American future.
Protest is Patriotic: An Okayplayer 4th of July Playlist
Prince - "America"
D'Angelo - "The Charade"
Curtis Mayfield - "People Get Ready"
Kendrick Lamar - "Alright"
Public Enemy - "Fight The Power"
Nina Simone - "Mississipi Goddamn"
Les McCann - "Compared To What"
Tupac - "Changes"
Jimi Hendrix - "Machine Gun"
Sly Stone - "Don't Call Me N**ga, Whitey"
Donny Hathaway - "Someday We'll All Be Free"
Talib Kweli - "Get By"
Dead Prez - "Hip-Hop"
Nas ft. Lauryn Hill - "If I Ruled The World"
J Dilla - "Fuck The Police"
Run The Jewels - "Early"
MIA - "Paper Planes"
Fela Kuti - "Zombie"
Santigold - "Disparate Youth"
Lauryn Hill - "Black Is The Color"
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble - "War"
Melvin Van Peebles - "Love, That's America"
Raury - "God's Whisper"
