At Sunday’s 68th annual GRAMMY Awards, protests against the brutal tactics toward immigrants and murdering of American citizens by ICE were a welcome sight. Dozens of artists participated in the “Be Good-ICE Out” campaign by wearing pins, including Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Justin and Hailey Bieber, Billie Eilish, Kehlani, Hayley Williams, FINNEAS, Bon Iver (who also wore an orange whistle to honor ICE observers), and Wet Leg. Some artists took more direct tactics, like Bad Bunny, who dedicated some speech time to the cause while accepting the award for Best Música Urbana Album. “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say, ‘ICE out,’” he began. Later, he added: “We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”
Eilish took the stage with her brother FINNEAS to accept the Song of the Year award for “WILDFLOWER,” and also spoke out against ICE. “As grateful as I feel, I honestly don’t feel like I need to say anything, but, that no one is illegal on stolen land,” she said. “I feel like we just need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting, and our voices really do matter, and the people matter.” At the end of her speech, she added: “Fuck ICE.”
While the GRAMMYs provided the biggest stage to date for artists to protest the horrifying scenes coming out of Minneapolis and across the country, a number of musicians have taken their reflections to the booth and have recorded music in solidarity with protestors, victims, and immigrants. Check out a number of those songs released over the past week below.
Bruce Springsteen, “Streets of Minneapolis”
On January 28—just four days after Alex Pretti was murdered, and three weeks after Renee Good was killed—Bruce Springsteen released a charged-up protest anthem called “Streets of Minneapolis.” In a note shared with the song, Bruce explained: “I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good.”
My Morning Jacket, Peacelands
My Morning Jacket shared a Bandcamp-exclusive acoustic album entitled Peacelands, which they recorded with Shawn Everett. The album includes songs from the band’s and Jim James’ solo career like “I’m Amazed” and “Here in Spirit,” alongside renditions of songs from Bob Dylan, The Velvet Underground, Brian Wilson, and more. All proceeds from Peacelands will benefit the ACLU, Doctors Without Borders, and the International Rescue Committee.
NOFX, “Minnesota Nazis”
NOFX’s Fat Mike wrote a song in 2022 called “Huntington Beach Nazis” and has since changed the lyrics to protest ICE’s actions in Minneapolis. Mike shared a statement when he released the track, explaining: “After all the recent heartbreaks in Minnesota, I decided to change some lyrics in the song and release it digitally. I even changed the title of the song to ‘Minnesota Nazis.’ I reckon it’s appropriate. This song isn’t gonna stop the absolute madness…. but you do what you can to make this world a better place. Let’s look out for each other the best we can.”
Billy Bragg, “City of Heroes”
English songwriter and activist Billy Bragg shared “City of Heroes” on January 28 in solidarity with the people of Minneapolis. “I wrote this song yesterday,” he shared, “as a tribute to the bravery of the people of Minneapolis who, knowing that these trigger happy ICE thugs operate with seeming impunity in their midst, are still willing to put themselves in harm’s way to defend their community. Their resistance is an inspiration to us all.”
Bon Iver, “Naeem (Can’t You Hear Crying)”
Justin Vernon shared a live version of Bon Iver’s “Naeem,” originally featured on the songwriter’s 2019 LP i,i. The live version is called “Naeem (Can’t You Hear Crying),” and is available exclusively on Bandcamp. The song was recorded live from La Prima Estate Festival in Italy in 2023. 100 percent of proceeds will be donated to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. In a statement, Vernon noted: “We hope this music, in any way, helps.”
Tom Morello’s Concert for Solidarity & Resistance to DEFEND MINNESOTA!
On January 30, Tom Morello organized an all-ages afternoon show to benefit the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. 100 percent of proceeds from the show went directly to their families. The show featured Tom Morello, Rise Against, Al Di Meola, Ike Reilly, and a surprise performance from Bruce Springsteen.
Morello shared a statement when the event was announced: “If it looks like fascism, sounds like fascism, acts like fascism, dresses like fascism, talks like fascism, kills like fascism and lies like fascism, boys & girls it’s f*cking fascism. It’s here, it’s now, it’s in my city, it’s in your city and it must be resisted, protested, defended against, stood up to, exposed, ousted, overthrown and driven out. By you and by me. We are coming to Minneapolis where the people have heroically stood up against ICE, stood up against Trump, stood up against this terrible rising tide of state terror. Where the people have stood up for their neighbors and themselves, for democracy and justice. Ain’t nobody coming to save us except us and it’s now or never.”
