Protest songs have always been a significant part of American history, with artists using them as tools for self-expression, resistance, and education for the masses.

Mississippi has always provided the soundtrack for the nation, and when it comes to songs about struggle, hope, and surviving, it’s been no different. Many artists have come out of the Magnolia State, unashamed and unafraid to speak up about what’s really going on in the world and to use their music as the catalyst for change.

Here are a few powerful songs by Mississippi artists about the struggle that deserve some space on your playlist.

Pops Staples – “Freedom Highway”

Pops Staples and The Staple Singers created “Freedom Highway,” inspired by the Selma to Montgomery marches and the Civil Rights Movement. Listening to the song, you can hear and feel the struggle and the hope for freedom.

Sam Cooke – “A Change Is Gonna Come”

This song is a classic and a staple that defines the movement. Clarksdale, MS, native Sam Cooke sang this song with such emotion, as if he knew this song would live long after him. The song is the perfect blend of exhaustion, heartbreak, hope, and resilience – feelings that can still be felt about the world in this day and time.

Big K.R.I.T. – “Praying Man”

Big K.R.I.T. gives a soul and perspective in a way not many rappers can in this piece. The B.B. King feature gives it an even deeper and more haunting feel as the rapper highlights the painful history of African Americans, particularly in the South.

The Wayward Kin – “L.Q. Ivy”

Indie group The Wayward Kin hit home for me with this song. L.Q. was actually a relative of mine, and he’s also the inspiration behind my book, The Lynching Calendar. They told his story with emotion, depth, mystery, and longing for better days through their reflective lyrics. It’s a song that reminds us not to forget our past and to hope for a better future.

Mavis Staples – “We Shall Not Be Moved“

We have another one from a Staples singer! This time, we’re highlighting Mavis Staples and the song, “We Shall Not Be Moved.” This song is not new – it’s been around for decades in the black church, but Mavis Staples helps to bring it to the forefront with her rendition. This song is timeless and seamlessly connects the past to the present, helping provide strength for movements to come.

B.B. King – “Why I Sing the Blues“

Last, but not least, we end our list with another feature from the King of Blues himself. Many of B.B. King’s songs were inspired by his life growing up black in Mississippi. In this song, he highlights personal experiences, systematic sabotages, and disappointments to tell the story of the genre he loves. The song is both a form of resistance and a reflection, showing that music helped him survive and overcome.

Final Thoughts

Each of these songs represents different aspects of the struggle that are not only seen in Mississippi but can be felt universally. Some are hard truths, some are danceable statements, and some are simply prayers and testimonies. Nonetheless, they all matter and have a place.

What did I miss? Let me know about a song of the struggle by a Mississippi artist that you think deserves a spot on this list!