Artist: Salem Ilese
Song: “Moment of Silence”
Label: 10K Projects
Genre: Pop
For many years, politically-charged, socially conscious songwriting was not something one would find in the music of the latest pop artists on the charts. Thankfully, that is something that has changed in the modern TikTok age, and something that has been embraced by viral star Salem Ilese. The young star first found fame with her song “Mad at Disney”, a slyly biting jab at the unrealistic dreams promoted by the mouse house’s content, and has since found continued to success creating smart, story-driven pop music that doesn’t pander. And on her latest single “Moment of Silence”, Ilese has gone to the next level.
A response to both the Uvalde mass shooting and the repeal of Roe v. Wade, Ilese addresses the imbalance of rights in our society, with guns seemingly having more protection in our country than a woman’s body. She also points out the hypocrisy between those who are both pro-life and pro-NRA, and calls for people to rise up and rally to fight back against this oppression. It’s the type of music needed right now, especially among Gen-Z artists who are perhaps the most influential in our society.
The single art was designed by Nadya Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot. Check out the track in our Check This 2022 Playlist on Spotify or Apple Music.
The Indy Review 