The political protest song I will be discussing today is “Where Is The Love” by Black Eye Peas which was released in 2003. The song was created when the Iraq War had begun, when the u.s had announced to be going into war with Iraq after 9/11 there were several protests against the action itself. While this song does talk about the topic of war it also bring attention to our own issues in the u.s such racism and discrimination, “but if you only have love for your own race, then you only leave space to discriminate and to discriminate only generates hate”. This also introduces ideas on how gang, violence, and media can impact the youth negatively when it is said, “With on goin’ sufferin as the youth die young…kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema.” It brings up how in times of pain and tragedy , love and unity should be spread instead of hate. This song also tackles the idea of going into war when saying, “overseas yeah we tryin’ stop terrorism but we still we still got terrorists here livin’ in the The USA, the big CIA, the Bloods and the Crips, and the KKK,” which means how we should focus on the main issues impacting our own society instead of getting into conflict with others.

“Where is The Love” is still a song that can relate to issues in the world as it includes numerous topics. This song can be used as comfort to one and also reassurance questioning which is the love or where is the unity in iMessage of tragedy. For example, in May 22, 2017 when a suicide bomber had caused in an explosion after an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester while fans were leaving the venue, causing 23 deaths and 139 wounded. In response to this, Ariana Grande had held a concert in honor of those killed in Manchester with other artists and named it “One Love Manchester” in reference to the song’s line which says “We only got one love.” In times of tragedy people go back to this song as a reminder, even in today’s current events such as the issues surrounding the COVID-19 virus.

The musical element that’s is used in the song is rhythm more specifically it’s tempo. Throughout the song the tempo is kept as a slow pace, this pace doesn’t change which can be in order to focus on the message more which the slow pace can allow listeners to do so. A focus on the lyrics can create a clearer image for listeners in contrast to having a lot going on.

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