Music has always been a part of politics in a real and authentic way. It has also been commercialized because the music industry often tries to make music fun and not thought provoking. The problem is that music with political elements needs to be heard by the masses to show agreement with what is being said.

As Professor Maz, who teaches commercial music, explained, “If you look at the music industry as a business, then what they do is always going to be about the business.”

The real question is not if music is political, it is how music is political, when it became political and what message it is trying to convey. As Professor Maz noted, artists do not always intend to be political. “I don’t imagine an artist is going to sit there and say, ‘I have a political statement to make.’ I think people write to share their stories.”

An early example comes after slavery ended. Black Americans were free, but after one system ended another began. They were pushed into segregation, violence and poverty. From this came music from artists like Bessie Smith, who sang about what life was like for Black Americans and how easily they were discarded.

Another is Billie Holiday, who wrote a song about Black people being lynched. These artists were silenced because they were Black, and their music shows how hard life was after slavery. As Professor Maz explained, music from marginalized communities “makes your voice heard. Whether it changes anything or not, I don’t know, we’re too close to it to really understand.”

During that era, the music industry was heavily racist. Black artists were put into categories. When white musicians copied their sound, it suddenly became popular. Bands like the Beatles took inspiration from Black artists and openly admired them. They helped bring attention to Black musicians and credited their contributions. In many ways, the people remembered long after still have a political impact.

When punk hit the music scene in the 1970s, it took off. The message focused on exposing corruption in politics and the music industry. Bad Brains disrupted racial expectations by being a Black band in a largely white scene. Another example is Against Me!, fronted by an openly transgender woman who focused on LGBTQ+ rights. These artists show how political messages can emerge naturally since Professor Maz noted that “people write to share their stories, sometimes there’s stories about their struggles.”

The skinhead scene also showed how complex the system was. It was influenced by Black culture, especially reggae. Later, far right groups twisted the scene into something violent tied to white nationalism. This shift showed how political movements can reshape music scenes.

More modern examples include Green Day, who openly expressed distaste for the American government. Nirvana pushed boundaries by challenging toxic masculinity. My Chemical Romance built songs around trauma from a post 9/11 America that many resonated with. This cultural moment even influenced Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight.” Even when not labeled political, the music still shows resistance.

Artists like Ethel Cain address religion and trauma from growing up in the church. In “American Teenager,” she creates an upbeat anthem that becomes hard hitting when listening closely. It shows how easily people can be distracted from what is happening in the world.

More recent examples include Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl LVIII halftime headliner. He used the platform to embrace Latin culture and representation. That visibility itself became political. Professor Maz also noted that “listeners are more aware or feel more personally connected to the values of that artist.” Artist Nicki Minaj also used her platform to promote Donald Trump, which led to backlash.

Cancel culture also plays a role. When artists make public political statements, it can make or break careers. Professor Maz explained, “It’s a very toxic system, and because it’s so normalized, it incites violence. You can have one slip up and all of a sudden you’re a big star who turned into no one overnight. Music should be about bringing people together, not tearing them apart.”

Music does not always define being political. It can be political in small or metaphorical ways. Music and art have been political for a long time. People who pay attention understand how it impacts everyday life. As Professor Maz stated, “Music is the victim in this case, music is being used for something that was never intended to be.”

The real question has been answered. Music is political, and it is up to listeners to understand and pay attention rather than be distracted.