Renegades

My main goal in creating this project was not only to produce an album which would be enjoyable for the audience I chose, but also to have some degree of social relevance and value. In keeping with this concept, I chose to title my mix tape project "Anthems for Revolution." The audience I chose is a friend who takes interest in current issues involving human rights struggles and humanitarian efforts. I chose songs that raise questions with regard to social, political, and moral issues and call for change and justice. I wanted the album to make listeners examine the world they live in, their understanding of it, and even themselves. That may be a bit beyond the reach of what a simple mix tape can accomplish, but I feel that the topic is quite important given the current state of the world we live in. Genocide, racism, poverty, violence, and political corruption are present in nations throughout the world, and it seems that Americans, in their sphere of relative wealth and comfort, tend to forget that such evils exist and even ignore the social injustices that are occurring right before their eyes. Making a mix tape with songs that address these issues is fairly trivial, but it at least creates an opportunity for questions to be raised. My target length was 90 minutes, which translated to 18 songs split between two discs. I chose songs based on the issues they raised and the effectiveness of their emotion and message. Most of the songs I chose were not in my music library before this project which aided me in avoiding the temptation of simply putting songs on a disc that I like and am intimately familiar with. I chose songs that aligned with one of two categories: songs that provoke thought and songs that incite action. The first disk represents "thought" and begins with a somewhat mournful and brooding tone. Over the course of the disk, the mood becomes more tense and pointedly angry. The second disk, which represents "action," has a poignant tone of criticism and dissidence. The climax is delivered in the form of "War Within' a Breath" by Rage Against the Machine, which is the most dramatic call to arms (be it taken literally or figuratively) on the mix tape. "If I Was President" By Wycleff Jean serves as the denouement. It is a reminder that change still depends on the individual empowering one's self and becoming intent on making a difference. Discussion is good and important, but only constitutes wishful thinking without action. For the liner notes, I used quotes from leaders, philosophers, and political activists as well as instances of political and social injustice to reinforce the message of the mix tape. For example, one track listing was followed by information about South African protesters who were massacred at Sharpseville by white police officers while partaking in a peaceful demonstration. If the music provided by the mix tape in conjunction with the liner notes can raise some degree of social awareness or interest, the mix tape will have served a purpose beyond simply providing casual music.