Nelson Mandela makes a surprise appearance in this Johnny Clegg performance of Asimbonanga after the unbanning. The lyrics are powerful protest against the imprisonment of Mandela and his comrades a sense of loss for the murdered Steve Biko and others.
Abdullah Ibrahim (formerly Dollar Brand), a founder of the African jazz movement, dedicated this composition to the 1970s youth-led uprising in Soweto, South Africa. It opens with the faint cry of a child. The accompanying images draw on both the apartheid era and the triumph over it.
On Dec 5, 2013, fast food workers held actions in over 100 cities demanding a living wage. Here's just how effing heartless Ronald is to his workers.
Son House was a preacher before becoming a seminal figure in the development of blues. Here he creates short, vivid portraits of church-goers. Find more Alt-Xmas music here.
Leon Rosselson retells the Jesus-Judas story. What if Judas is scorned because he taught "shaking off the chains," rather than preaching submission? Find more Alt-Xmas music here.
Steve Martin fills a gap in the seasonal hymnal by creating a song for atheists. Musically appropriate, if irreverent. Find more Alt-Xmas music here.
Burt Lancaster stars as the religious huckster Elmer Gantry in the 1960 movie version of Sinclair Lewis' novel. Find more Alt-Xmas music here.
Nina Simone's album Pastel Blues, released in 1965, included her version of Strange Fruit.
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