What do John Lennon and Lady Gaga have in common besides being musicians? Both have written songs about social topics. Obviously, they were neither the first nor the last who did so: music, like all types of art, has been and continues to be used by many artists not only as a source of entertainment but also as a powerful vehicle to communicate and raise awareness about social issues.
Songs like Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2 (inspired by the conflicts in Northern Ireland), Imagine by John Lennon (which envisions a peaceful world), Born This Way by Lady Gaga (which celebrates differences) and Earth by Lil Dicky (which, through the voices of many singers including Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande, calls for action against global warming) became true anthems. Even Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Nina Simone wrote sngs for racial and social equality.
Even earlier, Euripides did so by describing the atrocities of the Trojan War in The Trojan Women (415 BC) and hoping to convey the suffering of civilians (we know that singing was present in Greek tragedies). These are just a few of the many artists who chose music as a mean to criticize injustices and violence, desiring a world where peace and brotherhood prevail.
Therefore, anyone with wisdom must avoid war. (Europides, The Trojan Women, 415 a. C.)
All of this can only lead to positive results. Often, to promote their messages, musicians participate in charity concerts, awareness events and collaborations with non-profit organizations.
Live Aid in 1985 raised funds to help Ethiopia which was devastated by a famine. Another example is the Global Citizen Festival, held annually. The latter aims to mobilize and raise awareness about poverty, gender equality and access to education and health. To purchase tickets fans must engage in activism: volunteering, signing online petitions or sending emails to world leaders. Musical events like these keep showing the power of music in mobilizing people for social and humanitarian causes.
Therefore, it can be said that music is a true weapon against injustices: it can unite people, inspire them, educate them and raise awareness, contributing to the creation of a better world for future generations.