In the time that we live in right now, it is so important to be educated about what government decisions are going on around us. But how do people get this information? Political news gets spread all around social media and the news, but how much of it do we pay attention to? Maybe you’ll be more interested if it is targeted towards you, or if a person you look up to talks about it. That is exactly what art is for. Art is a way people have expressed their thoughts and feelings for decades. Music is a form of art that is heard and read for years. Freshman Seven McGilly said, “Music is a form of media that people consume on a day-to-day basis. It’s like a huge part of everyone’s lives, you know? You can have your opinions expressed vocally, and, you know, it’s almost like a form of communication.”
Music can also have a negative influence.
Freshman Aneviah Williams said, “Some artists that I listen to, they make songs about their life choices or what they have done in life to educate others on what to do and what not to do.” Art can highly influence others, so if you have an audience of people who listen to you, shouldn’t you use it to influence good? During the 2026 Grammys acceptance speeches, many artists called out Immigration Customs Enforcement for their wrongdoing and the horrible crimes they are causing in this country. The most popular acceptance speeches were from Puerto Rican artists Bad Bunny and American singer Billie Eilish. Bad Bunny won the Grammy for album of the year and accepted the award with a powerful speech. His speech assessed immigration and human dignity, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ‘ICE out,’” Bad Bunny said, to a roaring standing ovation, “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.” That speech is powerful, especially coming from Puerto Rican roots. Puerto Rico is in the United States though President Donald Trump disagrees.
Popular American singer, Billie Eilish, had a few words to say about ICE during her acceptance speech for song of the year: “I don’t feel like I need to say anything but that no-one is illegal on stolen land … Our voices really do matter, and people matter….” (as well as some choice words). Along with those mainstream artists, many others spoke out as well. Singer Artist Kehlani won the grammy for best R&B song of the year. When speaking to a Hollywood reporter, she said, “We’re too powerful of a group to all be in a room at the same time and not make some kind of a statement in our country.” Best new artist ,Olivia Dean, made statements about honoring her team and family, stating she is a ‘product of bravery’ as a granddaughter of an immigrant.
Even artists who didn’t win grammys still made a statement by wearing white and black pins that read “ICE out”.
Freshman Colston Mittman agrees that you have power and can speak up using your art. “Yes, I feel like if you have something important to speak up about through your art, I feel like you should do that.” There are so many different ways to express ideas and opinions using art. A lot of people like to separate politics and art which is okay. Not everybody talks about politics in their music but, “If they feel like it’s relevant to them and to other people, and their circle, I feel like they should,” said Mittman. Artists tend to try to be relatable towards their fans so they have something to connect on. Larry Miller, executive director for Sony Audio Institute for business music and technology at New York University stated, “Great artists speak their truth, and we may love them for it,” We look up to and love artists more when they use their power to advocate for you.
