Overview

Songs of protest have been inspiring activists for millennia, and continue to be created, shared, and reworked across musical genres. From the prophet Habakkuk as proto-protest singer, through a broad spectrum of twentieth and twenty-first century artists and diverse faith traditions, Theology and Protest Music gathers compelling contributions that examine Brazilian eschatology, Black liberation and womanism, esoteric Islam in Five Percenter rap, heavy metal as anti-theology, Howard Thurman’s relevance to jazz, Cuban Santería priest Pedrito Martinez’ sacred Batá drumming, as well as theological reflections on Jay-Z, Funkadelic, Marvin Gaye, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and the social justice chorale movement. Those interested in theology and popular culture, as well as scholars of music, social justice, racial identity, LGBTQ+ studies, and gender studies will find new aspects of the broad spectrum of protest music and its diverse spiritual connections. Theology and Protest Music also features invited contributions by pioneering choral activist Catherine Roma and world-renowned performer, composer, and educator Dr. Ysaye Maria Barnwell.

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9781978713444

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Reviews

These passionate essays show us that music can do powerful theological work, and remind us how religious concerns have shaped the musical imagination of dissidents and activists across time and space. Ranging from the prophets Habbakuk and Howard Thurman to Wynton Marsalis and Megan Thee Stallion, the best of these essays combine erudite theological meditations with fine-grained analyses of particular song forms, genres and social movements. Overall, this book provides an ear-opening guide to the fractures and altercations that characterize our deeply fraught historical moment. -- David W. Stowe, Michigan State University

Author Information

Heidi M. Altman is an associate professor in the department of Sociology and Anthropology at Georgia Southern University. Jonathan H. Harwell is associate director of collection and resource services at the Ina Dillard Russell Library at Georgia College and State University.

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