Los Angeles Times

In today's divisive political climate, pop artists are shaping the new sound of protest music

One of the most effective protest songs of 2018 doesn't mention Donald Trump by name.

It doesn't push back directly against one of his controversial policies, nor does it question the means by which he was elected president. It doesn't refer to government at all, really, unless you count an image of Uncle Sam kissing a man.

The song is "Americans," the final track on Janelle Monae's album "Dirty Computer," and what it does is argue that the promise of this country is still something to get excited about - and

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