Music and the Struggle for Freedom of Expression

Billie Holiday was imprisoned for her song "Strange Fruit", which protested the lynching of African Americans in the United States.

Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, and Victor Jara were all exiled from their countries for their political songs.

Tupac Shakur was assassinated for his song "The Message", which criticized the violence and poverty in his community.

John Lennon was arrested for his song "Imagine", which was seen as a threat to national security.

Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and Joan Baez were all blacklisted for their political views.

Bob Dylan was censored for his song "Like a Rolling Stone", which was seen as too controversial.

David Bowie, Elton John, and Freddie Mercury were all banned from performing in their own countries.

The Sex Pistols were forced to change the lyrics of their song "God Save the Queen" because they were seen as offensive to the monarchy.

Led Zeppelin was sued for copyright infringement for their song "Stairway to Heaven", which was alleged to be similar to Spirit's song "Taurus".

Ice-T was arrested for his song "Cop Killer", which was seen as a threat to law enforcement.

Grandmaster Flash was censored for his song "The Message", which was seen as too controversial.

Michael Jackson was banned from performing on MTV for his video "Thriller", which was seen as too graphic.

Madonna was censored for her song "Like a Prayer", which was seen as blasphemous.

Björk, Bob Dylan, and the Dalai Lama were all banned from performing in China for their political views.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert were both censored for their song "Same Love", which was seen as promoting homosexuality.