Politics and Music: Newpaper Article Assignments

Below are articles from The New York Times (unless otherwise stated) that are assigned for class. They are available on-line directly through nytimes.com and LexisNexis Academic, and are to be read by theme according to the syllabus schedule.  All students are responsible for all material. (For The New York Times, the (N) after the page number means "national edition.") If you are looking these articles up at the library and using the New York edition, the page numbers may be different. (But not always. Just check.) Students may find it easiest to use LexisNexis to find the full text of these articles online. LexisNexis is free for Emory students, as well as students in nearly all other universities. (See the reference librarian if you have not used LexisNexis before).

Note: My original organization of these articles was chronological, which is also included further down this page. But the organization by theme shown immediately below is exceptionally helpful, and that was done by Professor William F.S. Miles from the Department of Political Science at Northeastern University. I am grateful to Professor Miles and others who send me articles to include on this list that I would otherwise miss.

Electoral Music

• "Guitars and Amps: Campaign Tools," by Jon Pareles, Wednesday, 13 October 2004, pp. B1&B10(N).
• "Rock Stars Announce a Swing-State Tour," by Jeff Leeds, Thursday, 5 August 2004, p. A17(N).

Nationalism and Patriotism

• "'Ode to Joy,' Followed by Chaos and Despair," opinion essay by Slavoj Zizek, Monday, 24 December 2007.
• "Celebrating the USSR in Song, Uncle Joe and All" by Eric Arvedlund, Saturday, May 7, 2005.
• "Singing the Praises of Mr. Personality [Putin]" by Steven Lee Myers, 1 September 2002, Week in Review section, Sunday, 1 September 2002, p. 10(N)
• "Finland's Bold Musical Ambitions Produce a Multitude of Maestros," by Warren Hoge, 5 January 2003, p. A4
• "Pierced Fans, Stiff Cadres and Hip Rock. China' Music Thrives in State-Backed Events," by Andrew Jacobs.
• "McCartney Finds Fans 'Back in the U.S.S.R.'," by Bill Carter, Thursday, 18 September 2003, pp. B1-7(N).

Protest

• Strasbourg Hosts Musica Liberat Concert Dedicated to Khodorkovsky and Lebedev, 5 Jul 2011, Khodorkovsky and Lebedev Communications Center, with video address by Elie Wiesel
• "Musicians' message: Free Russian political prisoners," By Gidon Kremer, Special to CNN July 5, 2011 7:29 p.m. EDT
• "Pop Music and the War: The Sound of Resignation," by Jon Pareles, Tuesday, 2 January 2007, pp. B1&B5(N).
• "Trinh Cong Son, 62: Stirred Vietnam with War Protest Songs," by Seth Mydans, Obituaries section, Thursday, 5 April 2001.
• "New Songs, Old Message: 'No War'," by Jon Pareles, Sunday, 9 March 2003, Arts & Leisure p. 1(N).
• "Decades Later, 60's Icons Still Live by Their Message," by James Barron, Sunday, 30 March 2003, p. B15(N).
• "Furor Over Rapper's Cover-Art Statement," by Neil Strauss, Thursday, 3 April 2003, p. E3(N)
• "Dylan, Master Poet? Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," by Charles McGrath, Wednesday, 9 June 2004, pp. B1&B5(N).
• Muse: Close encounter By Jacqui Swift, in The Sun, Published: 23 Jun 2006

Anti-Authoritarianism

• "Czechs' Velvet Revolution Paved by Plastic People," by Dan Bilefsky, Monday 16 November 2009.
• "Milan Hlavsa, Rock Star of a Revolution," by Jon Pareles, Monday 8 January, 2001.
• "Stifled Politically, Burmese Find a Release in Music and Art," March 26, 2010.

Caribbean

• "Celebrating Bob Marley, Voice of the Dispossessed," by Howard French, 13 May, 1991.
• "Calypso Diplomacy With a Beat," March 31, 1991
• "Juane's Plan for Havana Concert Starts Furor," September 19, 2009.
• "Cuba ‘Peace Concert' Draws Multitudes," September 21, 2009.
• "From Musical Unity to the Political Kind" (Wyclef Jean), August 6, 2010
• "Wyclef Jean Confirms Plans to Run for Haitian Presidency," August 4, 2010.

Hispanomerica

• "In Los Angeles, Mexican Songs Without Borders," by Lawrence Downes, 16 Aug. 2009.
• "Minstrels in the Court of the Kingpin," by Josh Kun, 7 March 2010 [narcocorridos].
• "Musicians Gather in Homage to Allende," by Larry Rohter, Monday, 8 September 2003, p. B1&5(N)
• "Mercedes Sosa, Who Sang of Argentina's Turmoil," by Larry Rohter, 5 October 2009.
• "Musician [Carlinhos Brown] Changes Tone of Impoverished Village," by Fernanda Santos, 13 October 2009
• "Young Bolivians [Wayna Rap collective] Adopt Urban U.S. Pose, Hip-Hop and All," by Juan Forero 26 May 2005 [eradication of coca and desperate poverty]
• "A Salsa Star is Reborn After a Break for Politics," by Larry Rohter, 28 November 2009.

Rap and Hip-Hop

• "Guarding the Borders of the Hip-Hop Nation," by N.R. Kleinfield, Thursday, 6 July 2000, pp. 1&18-9.  
• "Hip-Hop Requiem: Tupac Shakur is Mourned, His Legacy Mined," by Neil Strauss, Wednesday, 11 April 2001, The Living Arts section, pp. B1&3(N).
• "Polish Hip-Hop Rocks the Homies in the Blok," by Peter S. Green, Friday, 5 April 2002, p. A4(N).
• "To Some Sri Lankan Ears, Dissonant Undertones in an Acclaimed Rapper's Music" [M.I.A.], by Thomas Fuller, February 11, 2009.
• "Now Hip-Hop, Too, Is Made in China," by Jimmy Wang, Saturday, 23 January 2009, Arts Section.
• "In Quiet Switzerland, Outspoken Rapper Takes On the Far Right," an article about the rapper Stress attacking the Swiss People's Party, 28 May 2009. (Listed also under Central Europe below.)

South Africa

• "Song Invoking the Boer War Wakens Afrikaner Pride," 27 February 2007.

Sub-Saharan Africa

•  "Nigeria Echoes to the Beat that Defied Tyrants" [Fela Ahikulapo Kuti and son], by Norimitsu Onishi, 11 September, 2000.
• "Sonny Okosuns, Musician With Message," by Douglas Martin, June 25, 2008.
• "African Artists Raise Voices Against Malaria," by Lydia Polgreen, 20 March, 2005.
• "In Mozambique, Singing a Song of Sanitation and Hoping to Change Habits" [Feliciano Dos Santos - sanitation
• "To the Beat of a Hit Song, the New Kenya Sends Spirits Off the Charts [GidiGidi and MajiMaji – "unbwogable"]

Maghreb and Muslim World

• "Syrian musician blames security forces for his parents' beating," By Tom Watkins, CNN July 30, 2011
• "A Slain Berber Singer's Voice Rouses His Hometown," by Michael Slackman, Monday, 10 October 2005, p. A4(N).
• "Singing of a Beloved Homeland, Fearful of Going Home Again," by Neil Strauss, 30 April 1995.
• "U.S. Messages to Arab Youth, Wrapped in Song" [Radio Sawa], by Felicity Barringer, Monday, 17 June 2002, p. A8(N).
• "Cem Karaca, 58, Turkish Singer with Political Messages, Dies," by Sebnem Arsu, 16 February 2004, p. A19(N).
• "Marzieh, Iranian Singer and Defector," by Margalit Fox.
• "When Tehran Rocks, Discretion Rules," by Michael Slackman, 15 February 2006.
• "Music Stirs the Embers of Protest in Iran," by Nazila Fathi, 10 July, 2010.
• "Christian Rock for Muslims," by Samuel Loewenberg, 10 May, 2005.

Israel and Palestine

• "In Israel, Jew and Arab Sing, But Political Chorus Is Heard," by Ethan Bronner, 25 February 2009, p. A5(N).
• "Israeli Band's Antiwar Song Pushes Pop Contest's Buttons," by Steven Erlanger, 3 March 2007
• "Musical Show of Unity Upsets Many in Israel," by Ethan Bronner, 25 February 2009.

Central Europe

• "In Quiet Switzerland, Outspoken Rapper Takes On the Far Right," an article about the rapper Stress attacking the Swiss People's Party, 28 May 2009.

Western Europe

• "Anna Marly, 88, Dies; Inspired French Resistance in Song," Obituary by Douglas Martin, Monday, 13 March 2006, p. A19(N).

Hate Music

• "Songwriter's Racist Songs from 1980's Haunt Him," by Neil Strauss, Monday, 4 September 2000, p. 1E.
• "Rwandan Musician Sentenced to 15 Years for Role in Genocide," by Marlise Simons, Wednesday, 3 December 2008, p. A8(N).
• "Killer Songs: Simon Bikindi Stands Accused of Writing Folk Music that Fed the Rwandan Genocide," by Donald G. McNeil Jr., The New York Times Magazine, 17 March 2002, pp. 58-9.
• "Song's Violent Lyrics and Killing of White Supremacist Deepen South African Rift," by Barry Bearak
• "A Wartime Star Endures, Singing to a Torn Serbia," by Daniel Simpson, Tuesday, 28 January 2003, p. A4(N).

Peasant and Slave Music

• "No Language Like Song," by Amanda Brickell Bellows, 16 September 2011, Opinion Section.

Chronological Listing of the Above Articles

"No Language Like Song," by Amanda Brickell Bellows, 16 September 2011, Opinion Section.

"Syrian musician blames security forces for his parents' beating," By Tom Watkins, CNN July 30, 2011

Strasbourg Hosts Musica Liberat Concert Dedicated to Khodorkovsky and Lebedev, 5 Jul 2011, Khodorkovsky and Lebedev Communications Center, with video address by Elie Wiesel

"Musicians' message: Free Russian political prisoners," By Gidon Kremer, Special to CNN July 5, 2011 7:29 p.m. EDT

"War songs CD will benefit vets of current conflicts," by Steve Almasy, CNN.com, 3 September 2010.

"The politics of music in Africa," by Kamau Mutunga, The Nation, 2 September 2010.

100 Russian skinheads attack concertgoers, by David Nowak, Yahoo! News, 29 August 2010.

"In Los Angeles, Songs Without Borders," by Lawrence Downes, 16 August 2009.

"In Quiet Switzerland, Outspoken Rapper Takes On the Far Right," an article about the rapper Stress attacking the Swiss People's Party, 28 May 2009.

"In Israel, Jew and Arab Sing, But Political Chorus Is Heard," by Ethan Bronner, 25 February 2009, p. A5(N).

"Now Hip-Hop, Too, Is Made in China," by Jimmy Wang, Saturday, 23 January 2009, Arts Section.

"Rwandan Musician Sentenced to 15 Years for Role in Genocide," by Marlise Simons, Wednesday, 3 December 2008, p. A8(N).

"'Ode to Joy,' Followed by Chaos and Despair," opinion essay by Slavoj Zizek, Monday, 24 December 2007.

War crimes trial feared to legitimise new repression of musicians elsewhere. An online article about Simon Bikindi, from FreeMuse.

"Pop Music and the War: The Sound of Resignation," by Jon Pareles, Tuesday, 2 January 2007, pp. B1&B5(N).

Muse: Close encounter By Jacqui Swift, in The Sun, Published: 23 Jun 2006

"Anna Marly, 88, Dies; Inspired French Resistance in Song," Obituary by Douglas Martin, Monday, 13 March 2006, p. A19(N).

"A Slain Berber Singer's Voice Rouses His Hometown," by Michael Slackman, Monday, 10 October 2005, p. A4(N).

"As American As Copland, Who Forged Our New Sound," by Allan Kozinn, Friday, 29 July 2005, pp. B1&B6(N).

"Listening to the Beat of the Bomb," by Cornelia Dean, Tuesday, 15 March 2005, p. D2(N).

"Guitars and Amps: Campaign Tools," by Jon Pareles, Wednesday, 13 October 2004, pp. B1&B10(N).

"The politics of music: Musicians mobilize for and against President Bush," CNN Monday, 30 August 2004, by David de Sola.

"Rock Stars Announce a Swing-State Tour," by Jeff Leeds, Thursday, 5 August 2004, p. A17(N).

"Chords for Change," by Bruce Sprinsteen, Thursday, 5 August 2004, p. A23(N).

"Dylan, Master Poet? Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," by Charles McGrath, Wednesday, 9 June 2004, pp. B1&B5(N).

"Protest Song is Back - With a Vengeance," by Christopher Blagg, Christian Science Monitor, 4 June 2004.

"Cem Karaca, 58, Turkish Singer with Political Messages, Dies," by Sernem Arsu, 16 February 2004, p. A19(N).

"Russians Make History Singing Wagner," by John Rockwell, Monday, 2 February 2004, p. B1&6(N).

"Finland's Bold Musical Ambitions Produce a Multitude of Maestros," by Warren Hoge, 5 January 2003, p. A4 (YNE).

"Rockers Unite to Oust Bush," by Damien Cave, Rolling Stone Magazine, 26 November 2003.

"McCartney Finds Fans 'Back in the U.S.S.R.'," by Bill Carter, Thursday, 18 September 2003, pp. B1-7(N).

"Johnny Cash, Country Music Bedrock, Dies at 71," by Stephen Holden, Saturday, 13 September 2003, pp. A1&12(N).

"Musicians Gather in Homage to Allende," by Larry Rohter, Monday, 8 September 2003, p. B1&5(N).

"What to Play Now: Not Madonna," by Jon Pareles, Sunday, 6 April 2003, Arts & Leisure p. 25(N).

"How to Make Antiwar Music Without Using Words," by Kelefa Sanneh, Friday, 4 April 2003, P. E4(N).

"Furor Over Rapper's Cover-Art Statement," by Neil Strauss, Thursday, 3 April 2003, p. E3(N).

"Madonna Cites War and Pulls Her Video," by Jon Pareles, Wednesday, 2 April 2003, p. E1(N).

"Decades Later, 60's Icons Still Live by Their Message," by James Barron, Sunday, 30 March 2003, p. B15(N).

"New Songs, Old Message: 'No War'," by Jon Pareles, Sunday, 9 March 2003, Arts & Leisure p. 1(N).

"A Wartime Star Endures, Singing to a Torn Serbia," by Daniel Simpson, Tuesday, 28 January 2003, p. A4(N).

"Singing the Praises of Mr. Personality," by Steven Lee Myers, 1 September 2002, Week in Review section, Sunday, 1 September 2002, p. 10(N). (This is an article about songs written in support of President Putin.)

"U.S. Messages to Arab Youth, Wrapped in Song," by Felicity Barringer, Monday, 17 June 2002, p. A8(N).

"Polish Hip-Hop Rocks the Homies in the Blok," by Peter S. Green, Friday, 5 April 2002, p. A4(N).

"Killer Songs: Simon Bikindi Stands Accused of Writing Folk Music that Fed the Rwandan Genocide," by Donald G. McNeil Jr., The New York Times Magazine, 17 March 2002, pp. 58-9.

"The Music of War," Guardian Unlimited, Friday, 5 October 2001.

"Hip-Hop Requiem: Tupac Shakur is Mourned, His Legacy Mined," by Neil Strauss, Wednesday, 11 April 2001, The Living Arts section, pp. B1&3(N).

"Trinh Cong Son, 62: Stirred Vietnam with War Protest Songs," by Seth Mydans, Obituaries section, Thursday, 5 April 2001.

"Songwriter's Racist Songs from 1980's Haunt Him," by Neil Strauss, Monday, 4 September 2000, p. 1E.

"Guarding the Borders of the Hip-Hop Nation," by N.R. Kleinfield, Thursday, 6 July 2000, pp. 1&18-9. (This is a hugely important front-page article about the extension of hip-hop into the white community.)