JOHN LEGEND AND LOGIC AMONG ARTISTS LENDING THEIR VOICES TO IMMIGRANTS

"Let's build bridges, not walls", Martin Luther King, Jr. famously said to support equality of race in America. This quote resonates just as strong today when discussing the heated topic of immigration policies that has divided the country's beliefs. John Legend, Logic, Coldplay, Miguel, and more tackle the issues of immigration and social injustice in their powerful music and videos.

John Legend - "Surefire"

John Legend via YouTube / Via youtu.be

John Legend has been outspoken about his political stances and doesn't shy away from fighting for what he believes in. He has taken on his close friend Kanye West publicly on social media to educate him on policies and injustices. He was one of the first artists to take action in highlighting issues with the current immigration policies.

Logic featuring Ryan Tedder - "One Day"

Logic via Youtube / Via youtu.be

Logic made waves for the second year in a row at the MTV VMA's with his politically charged song about immigration. The Baltimore-native took the stage wearing a shirt that said "F*CK THE WALL", backed up by numerous American immigrants wearing shirts that say "WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS". The video displays beautiful storytelling featuring a superb cast including Michael Pena, Luis Guzman, and Judy Reyes about immigration, social injustice, and racism.

The Hamilton Mixtape Lin Manuel and K'naan featuring Residente, Riz MC & Snow Tha Product - "Immigrants (We Get The Job Done)"

Lin Manuel via Youtube / Via youtube.com

Lin Manuel brought together a diverse group of artists in this powerful and honest video that looks at some of the difficult jobs that immigrants do, and the sacrifices they make to keep America going.

Miguel - "Now"

Miguel via Youtube

Miguel wants you to address immigration and detention centers now. The artist actively engaged in discussions and performed a concert just outside the the High Desert Detention Center in Adelanto for the video. He encourages one another to speak out, and do if we want to see the change. Compassion, Hope, Peace - Not Prisons.

Aloe Blacc - "Wake Me Up (Acoustic)"

Aloe Blacc via Youtube / Via youtube.com

Many people are familiar with the Avicci version of Wake Me Up, but Aloe Blacc wanted to "reclaim his song", have people listen to the words, and for those words to tell his family's story. The video looks as though it was shot yesterday, but was released in 2013 proving that this has been an ongoing issue. Immigration, ICE, detention centers, families separated for years. Its taken this long for America to wake up to this issue.

Coldplay and Big Sean - "Miracles (Someone Special)"

Coldplay and Big Sean via Youtube / Via youtube.com

Coldplay partnered up with Big Sean on this track from their recent Kaleidoscope EP and released a lyric video depicting famous American immigrants throughout history and iconic representations of freedom.

Tina Parol - "Better Life"

Tina Parol via Youtube / Via youtube.com

The video is a "love letter" to the artist's immigrant parents who showed up in America with $75 and a suitcase hoping for a "Better Life". The cast showcases a variety of Americans from different ethnic backgrounds singing along to the anthemic theme of The American Dream.

From the Top with Various Musicians - "This Land is Your Land"

From the Top via Youtube / Via youtube.com

From the Top showcases the background stories of six different immigrant musicians to this rearrangement of "This Land is Your Land".