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A Banned Books Week 2019 Playlist
Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) contributes to PEN America’s Banned Books Week with a curated playlist of banned songs.
Some artists in this playlist became the voices of revolution; some now live in exile; some currently sit in prison; some were censored out of fear that their songs would incite race riots; and still others were assassinated by authoritarian regimes. Music has the power to unite people and move them to action, and this makes it dangerous to those in power.
- “Djin” – Mashrou’ Leila
- “Lettre au president” – General Valsero
- “Y Mi Negro Esta Cansao” – Celia Cruz & La Sonora Matancera
- “Trại phục hồi nhân phẩm (Re-Education Camp)” -Mai Khôi
- “我愛台妹” -MC HotDog
- “Je t’aime moi non plus” – Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin
- “Police State” – Pussy Riot
- “Rumble” – Link Wray
- “Strange Fruit” – Billie Holiday
- “Kobani” – Ferhat Tunç
- “God Save the Queen” – Sex Pistols
- “Gracias a la vida” – Violeta Parra
- “Çav Bella” – Grup Yorum
- “Plegaria a un Labrador” – Victor Jara
- “Zolf” – Mohsen Namjoo
- “Fuck tha Police” – NWA
- “Смерти больше нет” – IC3PEAK
- “8 April” – Ramy Essam
Read profiles of musicians-at-risk, including Mai Khôi, Mohsen Namjoo, and Cris Gera, on our stories page.
If you have any questions regarding this playlist and/or suggestions, please contact us!