Protesting and music have long overlapped in the United States, dating back to the days of 20th-century union strikes and Billie Holliday’s poetic rendition of “Strange Fruit.” Most notably when it comes to R&B, rock, and rap, there’s always been a roaring feeling of urgency in protest music. With the rise of Black Lives Matter, it’s been no different. Songs like “Hell you Talmbout” by Janelle Monae, Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” and Black Thought’s “Rest in Power” perfectly encapsulate long-held feelings of staunch disapproval towards America’s highest leadership. The BLM movement has existed since 2013, following the controversial acquittal of George Zimmerman in the shooting of Trayvon Martin, and it has encompassed the pain, outrage, and determination of millions of African-Americans into collective action. Their actions have started conversations in favor of defunding and abolishing police departments, providing proper assistance to victims of systemic racism, and prosecuting police officers who abuse and murder civilians.