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Transformative Music

This website recognizes artists who inspire transformation through the socially conscious and transformative message they convey in their songs.

Music has played a key role in movements working towards progressive social change throughout U.S. history. Some of the most important transformative processes which used music as a tool to create social change include the Civil Rights movement, anti-war movements, labor union movements, feminist movement, and more recently, the hiphop movement inspired by the Black Power movements of the 1960. Political folk music encompasses all of these movements.

Ironically, however, increasing commercialization of the music industry in recent times has resulted in song lyrics becoming more and more violent, sexist and racist, especially in hip hop.

We invite you to add to the list of transformative songs compiled below and submit suggestions of songs which you think convey a transformative message. Send us your lists of transformative songs to transformationcentral@growingthegreeneconomy.org.

For each song, write about short paragraph about why you see it as transformative. We also invite you to submit examples of songs which you think contain lyrics that are violent and harmful to society, along with a brief description of why you think these songs are oppressive.

Make your voice heard ...

Contribute your transformative music to TransformationCentral!! We are looking for transformative music of all genres and all kinds of levels of sophistication. We are especially looking for songs about personal healing, finding yourself and your inner voice, speaking out, feeling and living your power, standing upto injustice, visions of a better world, and ways to make the world better.

We would love to hear your music and post it on transformationcentral.org. For help, ideas and inspiration on creating transformative music click here. By sending us your music you are agreeing to let us post it on this website to be played and downloaded free of charge by visitors. Below are instructions on how to send us your songs:

• Email us the lyrics of your transformative song/s to transformationcentral@growingthegreeneconomy.org along with a sentence explainingwhy it is transformative and any pictures of yourself/your group and any other transformative pictures you would like posted with your song.
• Post a video of your music on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/ and e mail the link, the lyrics to your song and a sentence explaining why it is transformative.
• Record yourself and/or your group using the free audio mixer software audacity.
• If you already have a website email us a sample of your music and lyrics, with a link to your website, a descriptive sentence explaining why its transformative, and a picture of yourself /your group and any other pictures.

Click here to listen to Yenassi's Heartbeat Song !!

Transformative Songs from the 1960s

1. Bob Dylan, "The times they are changing."
2. Peter Paul and Mary, "If I had a hammer."

Songs from the Civil Rights Movement

1. This little light of mine
2. Aint going to let nobody turn me around
3. Keep your eyes on the prize
4. I am on my way to freedom land
5. We shall overcome

Anti-War Songs

1. We shall not be moved
2. Down by the Riverside

Labor Union Songs

1. Bread and Roses
2. Union Maid
3. Which side are you on?
4. Banks are made of marble

Feminist Songs

1. Still Ain't Satisfied
2. The Woman in Your Life
3. I'm Gonna Be an Engineer
4. Custom-Made Woman Blues

Examples of Transformative Hip Hop Songs in the US

Click on the songs to listen to them and watch the music videos on YouTube.

1. R. Kelly, “The World’s Greatest.
2. Black Eyed Peas, “Where is the love.”
3. Outkast, “Hey Ya”
4. Kanye West, “Diamonds are forever.” ”
5. Lauryn Hill, “Lost Ones.”
6. 2pac, “Changes.”
7. Queen Latifah, “U.N.I.T.Y.”
8. Common, “The Corner.”
9. Anthrax and Public Enemy, “Bring the noise.”
10. Salt n’ Pepa, “It’s a She thing.”
11. Grandmaster Flash and Furious Five, “The Message.”
12. KRS One, “Black Cop.”