At some point in our lives, I think we’ve all probably been called a tattle tail, probably way back in kindergarten. And for a while after that we were probably not to be trusted by anyone in the class for a good few days. Am I right, or am I right? And we probably snitched because it was for our own benefit. It’s the same concept with selling out. Someone comprises their reputation because they’ll reap some type of reward from it, mostly for fame or money. Probably money. And there’s a huge stigma against the idea of selling out, why else would Jennifer Lopez have released “Jenny From the Block”?

Now, say what you want about him, but Michael Jackson is hands down one off the best musicians of all time, if not the absolute best. Put him under fire for child molestation accusations or for his drastic surgeries, but no one can ever accuse him of being a sell out. From the very beginning, Michael Jackson has always been someone who inspires and likely lights a fire in the hearts of his listeners. From songs like “Will You Be There”, “Keep the Faith”, and “The Lost Children” to “Earth Song”, “Heal the World”, and “Man in the Mirror” (really the list goes on and on) , Michael had a way of gently conveying his positive messages and getting his point across. One song MJ did not mince words in, however, is “They Don’t Care About Us”. Eighteen years later, and this song still holds so much relevance. Timeless songs such as these are the epitome of songs with social and political value because let’s be real: there is always something unjust going on somewhere in the world. MJ always stood with his cause.

“Tell me what has become of my life…I am the victim of police brutality, now I’m tired of being the victim of hate…Tell me what has become of my rights. Am I invisible? Because you ignore me. Your proclamation promised me free liberty…” (Jackson, Michael. “They Don’t Care About Us.” HIStory-Past, Present and Future, Book 1. Jackson, 1996. CD.) Relevant in 1996, relevant in 2014. If the King of Pop can release commercially successful music of substance, then why can’t everyone else?

But what happens when an artist generally doesn’t produce music of social or political value, and then one day, out of the clear blue sky, they release a song that has incredible social value and possibly the ability to change some people’s points of view. I mean, how does an artist go from releasing a song that’s first verse starts with “Walk up in the club like, ‘What up, I got a big c*ck!’” to releasing a song like “Same Love”? Macklemore’s “Same Love” was one of the biggest songs of 2013, sparking a national awareness for gay rights in America. “It’s human rights for everybody. There is no difference. … When everyone else is more comfortable remaining voiceless rather than fighting for humans that have had their rights stolen. I might not be the same, but that’s not important. No freedom till we’re equal, damn right I support it,” (Lambert, Mary, and Macklemore. “Same Love.” Same Love. Lewis, 2012. MP3). If that’s not one of the most socially riveting lyrics I’ve ever heard in my life, then I don’t know what is! I think Macklemore did what all artists should do: He established himself, his fan-base, and his popularity, and then he used his platform to take a stand.

It’s artists like that who can make a HUGE difference in the world. I know it’s hard to believe, but not all popular songs have to be about sex or absolute nonsense! Songs like Black Eyed-Peas’ “Where Is The Love?”, Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful”, and Green Day’s “American Idiot” are just a few of the songs from my lifetime that have made a huge impact; maybe not on the whole world, or even the nation, but certainly on me. And that’s a song of value.

Now please excuse me as I go make a “Social and Political Justice” playlist…