Can the power of a song make you vote? Chance the Rapper, Taylor Swift and other pop stars think so
It has been a tumultuous couple of years in music, with a flood of recordings and statements pouring out from artists across a range of genres, from hip-hop to country, addressing hot-button political issues. The price can be steep for artists who speak out, but they are nonetheless weighing in amid a rising tide of anger over immigration policies, racial violence, sexual assault, LBGQT rights and the direction of the country itself.
In recent weeks, Chance the Rapper has endorsed a Chicago mayoral candidate, Rihanna has reportedly turned down an invitation to play the Super Bowl in support of NFL players protesting racist violence, and Bruce Springsteen has contributed a song to an ad supporting women political candidates.
Even Taylor Swift, who has been conspicuously absent from speaking out on any political matters in
