Table of Contents
Racism and anti-Semitism are still topics confronted almost daily, even in the supposedly enlightened 21st century. In the 21st century, people are discriminated against because of their origin.
Not a day goes by that the news does not report about xenophobia. On Facebook, Twitter, and Co, there is always someone who posts an offensive comment. These times are stressful, but it always helps to have a few good songs against racism on hand to get you through the frustrating day.
Songs against xenophobia have been around for many decades. Racism has been a recurring theme since the blues came into being. As a means of expression for their anguish and argument with racists, musicians use their craft to protest and educate musically.
You can find Play songs at a protest or just let them inspire you. The songs stand for justice and fight for values like acceptance, tolerance, and respect.
More and more famous artists have also spoken out against racism in recent years, putting their thoughts and experiences into their songs. A new generation of artists addresses racism, violence, and disillusionment in a way that inspires hope!
Singer Beyoncés with “Freedom” or rapper Macklemore and Ryan Lewis with “White Privilege II” show what they think about xenophobia. D’Angelo and Kendrick Lamar even produced whole albums on this theme. Icons like Prince, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson released songs in response to various instances of police brutality.
Even typically apolitical stars like Kelly Clarkson, Ariana Grande, and Usher have spoken out against xenophobia.
(You can find a Spotify playlist at the end of the article.)
The 80 best songs against xenophobia
Each song is linked to the corresponding music video via the title.
№: | Listen: | Artist: | |
---|---|---|---|
1. | The Times They Are A-Changin’ | Bob Dylan | |
2. | Black or White | Michael Jackson | |
3. | The Story of O.J. | Jay-Z | |
4. | Edge of a Revolution | Nickelback | |
5. | Freedom | Beyonce feat. Kendrick Lamar | |
6. | People Are People | Depeche Mode | |
7. | If I Was President | Wyclef Jean | |
8. | Mr. Nigga | Mos Def | |
9. | Complexion (A Zulu Love) | Kendrick Lamar | |
10. | We’re a Winner | The Impressions | |
11. | Where Is Home? | Bloc Party | |
12. | Get Up, Stand Up | Bob Marley | |
13. | Schrei Nach Liebe | Die Ärzte | |
14. | Living for the City | Stevie Wonder | |
15. | Changes | 2pac | |
16. | War | Edwin Starr | |
17. | Give Peace a Chance | Plastic Ono Band | |
18. | Runnin’ | Pharrell Williams | |
19. | Out in the Fields | Gary Moore and Phil Lynott | |
20. | Your Racist Friend | They Might Be Giants | |
21. | Chains | Usher feat. Nas and Bibi Bourelly | |
22. | Strange Fruit | Billie Holiday | |
23. | Arbeit Macht Frei | The Libertines | |
24. | Glory | Common feat. John Legend | |
25. | Is It Because I’m Black | Syl Johnson | |
26. | Sunday Bloody Sunday | U2 | |
27. | Boom Boom Boom | K.I.Z. | |
28. | Beds are Burning | Midnight Oil | |
29. | Where Is The Love? | Black Eyed Peas | |
30. | Buffalo Soldier | Bob Marley | |
31. | A Change Is Gonna Come | Sam Cooke | |
32. | New Slaves | Kanye West | |
33. | Fight The Power | Public Enemy | |
34. | Killing In The Name | Rage Against The Machine | |
35. | War | Bob Marley | |
36. | Southern Man | Neil Young | |
37. | Links 2 3 4 | Rammstein | |
38. | Ganz klar gegen Nazis | Wizo | |
39. | Your Racist Friend | They Might Be Giants | |
40. | Black Boys on Mopeds | Sinead O’Connor | |
41. | Black Pearl | Sonny Charles and The Checkmates, Ltd. | |
42. | The Power Of Equality | Red Hot Chili Peppers | |
43. | Wenn so viele schweigen | ZSK | |
44. | F*ck You | Lily Allen | |
45. | Beds Are Burning | Midnight Oil | |
46. | New National Anthem | T.I. | |
47. | Willkommen in Deutschland | Fahnenflucht | |
48. | Say It Loud — I’m Black and I’m Proud | James Brown | |
49. | Hands Up | Daye Jack feat. Killer Mike | |
50. | Prayer of the Refugee | Rise Against | |
51. | Imagine | Jack Johnson | |
52. | Biko | Peter Gabriel | |
53. | Schrei nach Liebe | Callejon | |
54. | What If I Was White (Album Version) | Sticky Fingaz | |
55. | Message From a Black Man | The Temptations | |
56. | Blackbird | The Beatles | |
57. | Same As It Ever Was (Start Today) | Michael Franti | |
58. | International | Sportfreunde Stiller | |
59. | Cry Freedom | Dave Matthews Band | |
60. | Free Your Mind | En Vogue | |
61. | Diallo | Wyclef Jean | |
62. | Be Free (feat. J Cole) [Be Free] | AcetheSpade | — |
63. | Wir Sind Das Volk | Chima Ede | |
64. | Chocolate City | Parliament | |
65. | Alright | Kendrick Lamar | |
66. | Proud to Be Black | Run DMC | |
67. | Hey Mr. Nazi | Blumio | |
68. | White Privilege II | Macklemore and Ryan Lewis feat. Jamila Woods | |
69. | About | Tok Tok Tok | |
70. | Mississippi Goddam | Nina Simone | |
71. | Don’t Think They Know | Chris Brown | |
72. | Dreamworld | Robin Thicke | |
73. | Alabama | Neil Young | |
74. | Black Rage | Lauryn Hill | — |
75. | Sad News | Swizz Beatz feat. Scarface | |
76. | 2015 | Neon Black | |
77. | Sandra’s Smile | Blood Orange | |
78. | Embarrassment | Madness | |
79. | The Charade | D’Angelo | |
80. | Untouchable | Eminem | |
81. | I Had a Dream | Kelly Clarkson |