Music & Politics

They say the mind is a terrible thing to waste - yet when you utilize it to the core, they limit you. You can't do as you please, there are rules to follow. You can't say what you want - hell even I was told in a heated argument, that even freedom of speech has limits.

So does that say we need to be sheep and just follow?
For years musicians have broken free and spoken out, sung and campaigned for what they believe in. Does that make them unpatriotic for standing up against their country? Let’s look at that word...What Does It Mean to Be Patriotic? You are loyal to your country and you love your country - in plain English - love and devotion to one's country.

So does it mean when Bra Hugh spoke out against apartheid - he didn't love his country or Kanye's now famous outburst on live television of "George Bush doesn't care about people"

Well this is not to talk about who you should vote for (in future) or not vote for, but highlight that maybe when you step on to many toes – one will retaliate. Yasiin Bey - formerly Mos Def has been barred from going back home. It is unclear why he would not be permitted to re-enter the country. United States citizens retain their citizenship even if they leave the country, unless they renounce citizenship, or commit an act of treason.

Bey has canceled his U.S. tour after being denied entry into the country of his birth. The "Mathematics" rapper has been living in South Africa for some time now, has been barred by "immigration/legal issues,” according to a statement on the Boston Together Music Festival. In recent years, Bey has been increasingly critical of U.S. policies, in July 2013, Bey teamed up with the human rights group Reprieve to reenact a force-feeding such as the ones endured by hunger strikes jailed in Guantanamo Bay.

In the graphic video, Bey can be seen begging his team to stop the demonstration and breaking down in tears. Bey told Rolling Stone Magazine in March that he had found a peace in South Africa that he couldn't find in the country he once called home.

Days before the South African elections, iFani was also caught in the mix of politics when the Eastern Cape native wasn't allowed to perform at an ANC rally because he was also booked by the DA.

The late great Michael Jackson couldn't have said it any better in "They Don't Care About Us". Turn it up as I sing along.

Tell me what has become of my rights/Am I invisible because you ignore me?/Your proclamation promised me free liberty, now/ I'm tired of bein' the victim of shame /They're throwing me in a class with a bad name /I can't believe this is the land from which I came /You know I really do hate to say it /The government don't wanna see/But if Martin Luther was livin'/He wouldn't let this be, no, no.