Ep 8 | Music: The Soul of Peaceful Activism & Justice: Part 2 (Global)
In this second instalment of their exploration of musical activism, Janis Siegel and Yusuf Gandhi travel far beyond the United States to examine how artists around the world have used music to confront injustice, challenge authority, and inspire change. From the voices of Latin America and South Africa to contemporary movements in Iran, Russia, China, and beyond, the episode highlights musicians whose songs became powerful acts of resistance.
Along the way, they uncover stories of courage, exile, censorship, and sacrifice, while celebrating the enduring ability of music to unite people across cultures and borders. These artists may have come from different countries and traditions, but they shared a common belief: that a song can be far more than entertainment — it can be a force for freedom and justice.
Music in this podcast
Mercedes Sosa (ARGENTINA) - Duermo Negrito
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR9AJwjZeIg [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR9AJwjZeIg]
Violeta Parra (CHILE) - Miren Como Sonrien
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2ldR1EvhG0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2ldR1EvhG0]
Victor Jara (CHILE) - Manifesto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj-3mpjDC8M [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj-3mpjDC8M]
Miriam Makeba/Hugh Masekela (S. AFRICA ) Soweto Blues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kHtWuVwZSs [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kHtWuVwZSs]
Rana Mansour (IRAN) - Beraye (composed by Sherwin Hajipour)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX0OumECPOk [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX0OumECPOk]
Pussy Riot (RUSSIA) - Chaika
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VakUHHUSdf8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VakUHHUSdf8]
Sinéad O’ Connor (IRELAND) - Famine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyLnbjtBLX4 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyLnbjtBLX4]
Cui Jian (CHINA) No More Disguises
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yao6f0QIgA [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yao6f0QIgA]
Fela Kuti (NIGERIA) - Beasts of No Nation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0BhNPiq78k [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0BhNPiq78k]
Bob Marley (JAMAICA) - Redemption Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZpxaeICYyg [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZpxaeICYyg]
Ep 8 | Unify Playlist additional songs
Alicia Keys and Angelique Kidjo perform “Afrika” at Mandela Day 2009 from Radio City Music Hall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThdXkwu42aw [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThdXkwu42aw]
Mercedes Sosa, Chico Buarque, Caetano Veloso, Milton Nascimento e Gal Costa - Volver a los 17 (composed by Violetta Para)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krEMw8E5ZAg [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krEMw8E5ZAg]
Joan Baez & Mercedes Sosa “Gracias A La Vida” (composed by Violetta Para)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMuTXcf3-6A [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMuTXcf3-6A]
Arlo Guthrie - Victor Jara (composed by Arlo Guthrie & Adrian Mitchell)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vatEqeFmXdQ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vatEqeFmXdQ]
Hugh Masekela - Stimela (Coal Train) - Jazz Day 2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=650IZTWZa50 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=650IZTWZa50]
Sarafina (Movie) - Funeral Song/Freedom is coming
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTXyh7YPQ9Y [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTXyh7YPQ9Y]
Papa WemBa - Esclave (Slave)
(A song tribute to Nelson Mandela, comparing struggles of Africans’ slavery around the world, and the struggles of the South Africans during apartheid.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFiNaSTTgeQ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFiNaSTTgeQ]
Shervin Hajipour - Baraye (full version with English lyrics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0th9_v-BbUI [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0th9_v-BbUI]
“Coldplay” perform Iranian protest song “Baraye” in Buenos Aires featuring “exiled Iranian actor Golshifteh Farahani”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJb3uc1D1D8 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJb3uc1D1D8]
Linton Kwesi Johnson - Sonny’s Lettah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uvY5qU7ayg [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uvY5qU7ayg]
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Exodus (Lyric Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSOqWgqwynQ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSOqWgqwynQ]
Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come {LYRICS}
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrAGbRHxyHs [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrAGbRHxyHs]
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit musictheunifyingforce.substack.com [https://musictheunifyingforce.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]
