1. Declan McKenna- Paracetamol
Eighteen year old Declan Mckenna is known for his political tunes that criticize social norms and negligent powers. Paracetamol tackles the issues of LGBTQ+ representation and attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community. The song was written by McKenna in response to Leelah Alcorn’s suicide and the video follows the friendship of two teenage boys.
Anna Wise’s video isn’t complex or dark, but the simplicity allows the lyrics to really be the star of the video. “Bitchslut” is a fun take on the barriers women have to meet. Wise lightly contemplates how women can’t win in a society where they are either a bitch or a slut as the title suggests.
This year the Academy Awards were riddled with controversy over Hollywood’s race problem. #OscarsSoWhite was the top trending tag and many people of color took to social media to express their disappointment and anger. Rapper Dumbfoundead decided to express his anger in his song “Safe.” The lyrics address the idea that Asians are the model minority and the lack of Asians in Hollywood, topics few actually talk about.
The song, which was dedicated to the Pulse Nightclub victims, sparks conversation over religion and its relationship with homosexuality. The song itself is lovely, but the real star is the eight minute long video. The video delves into whether or not homosexuality and religion can intermingle by showing different couples and their religious leader.
If there’s one album that dominated 2016, it was Lemonade. “Formation” is a call for action and unity and also a celebration of black pride. In a short few minutes, Beyoncé managed to spark a nationwide conversation about police brutality and African American culture.
6. Hayley Kiyoko – One Bad Night
Hayley Kiyoko made waves last year for her two music videos (Cliff’s Edge and Girls Like Girls) that featured women on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. This year, Kiyoko made another powerful statement by showing the violence that the trans community faces.
7. Pussy Riot – Straight Outta Vagina
It’s only to be expected that perhaps the most important and political band of today would produce this feminist anthem that celebrates the vagina. The band has said that the song was their response to Donald Trump and his comments against women, but also about the power of female sexuality.
8. Alessia Cara – “Scars to Your Beautiful”
This song has been all over the radio and with good reason. The song itself is about body image and self acceptance. The visual created in the video pairs nicely with the message of the song by showing off a wide variety of people in order to promote the idea that everyone is beautiful.
9. Shawn Mendes – Treat you Better
I had not been expecting this from the eighteen year old Canadian crooner. Known mostly for his ballads about heartbreak, this song did not stray to far from his standard (amazing vocals and emotional lyrics). However it was the music video that caught my attention. The video depicts a girl in a toxic relationship that accentuates the idea that girls deserve better. At the end the number for the National Domestic Violence Hotline was displayed, which I thought was unusual, but definitely welcome for such a young, popular male singer.
10. SOLANGE – Don’t Touch My Hair
Solange made quite the comeback in 2016. Her song “Don’t Touch My Hair” is an expression of black identity and pride over said of identity. With a hypnotic beat and an enthralling video, Solange message about the importance of her hair to her identity really shines through. She’s not only telling white people not to touch her hair, but also to let her keep her own identity as a black woman.
Special Mentions:
Fifth Harmony – That’s My Girl
Lady Gaga- Til it Happens to You (Grammy’s Performance)
Bruno Mars – 24K Magic
Chance the Rapper- Coloring Book (All of it is amazing)
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