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Amid the unrest in Minneapolis and beyond, and as Immigration and Customs Enforcement began raids and arrests across Phoenix and the Valley, here are some recent songs from international acts and local musicians alike that capture the broader American unrest and protest ICE’s actions.
1. ‘Streets of Minneapolis’ by Bruce Springsteen
Just released on Wednesday, Jan. 28, The Boss’ weeklong project — written last Saturday and recorded Tuesday — is a direct narration and response to the recent killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents. Springsteen has been politically active in his music historically, and this track combines his knack for detailed specifics over a classic rock ‘n’ roll backdrop.
2. Join ICE’ by Jesse Welles
Welles first broke into his role as one of the internet’s new wave of protest folk singers with his breakout “War Isn’t Murder” in 2024, and “Join ICE” is a similarly sharp tune. The satirical track explores the psyche and dystopia of the qualifications, benefits and actions of those being recruited into ICE. “If you’re lackin’ control and authority / Come with me and hunt down minorities / Join ICE.”
3. ‘Hey Kristi Noem (I Wanna Know)’ by CHKLZ
The avant-garde Phoenix EDM duo released this track on Jan. 16, as a “heartfelt answer from Arizona.” The fast-paced track reworks a classic chant in its chorus and is heavy on drums and vocal loops, serving as a more upbeat, whimsical response to Noem’s actions and those of the DHS.
4. ‘BREAKING NEWS’ by The Neighborhood Kids
This San Diego-based “revolutionary hip-hop group” has been perennially active in American politics, and its recent track, released Jan. 23, offers a classic industrial hip-hop response to recent ICE activity. The track is quick and severe, and is filled with bars referencing both recent and historical injustice, but still offers an underlying positivity and hope: “Everybody put your hands up from the front to the back / We’re not the police, therefore we won’t kill you where you stand.”
5. ‘Pretend You Remember Me’ by Tom Morello
Morello’s Rage Against The Machine continues with this track, released in July 2025, which was a direct response to the summer ICE activity in Los Angeles. “Pretend You Remember Me” combines a hard rock backdrop with soft, gritty vocals and tells the story of a young woman fleeing, using her humanity as a pathos protest to the families being separated by ICE.
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6. ‘Gradient’ by Tufawon
The Minneapolis-based artist and activist has been on the ground amid ICE’s presence in his city, and his music has been one way to fight back. “Gradient,” an EP (and titular track) released on Jan. 12, captures this moment of unrest firsthand, blending styles of hip-hop, R&B and indigenous music, reflecting the artist’s own identity, which he now channels into the movement in front of him.
7. Genuine American Hero (Talking Blowback Blues) by Joseph Terrell
Similar to Welles, both in style and medium, Terrell’s anti-ICE protest song, released on Jan. 20, now boasts over 3.5 million views on TikTok alone. The tune itself is catchy and airy, and the track’s satirical roots paint well the absurdity felt by many: “He saw a 37-year-old, mother of three / And he shot her in the face in her SUV … He’s a genuine American hero / He keeps us safe and snatches us.”
8. ‘Bad News’ by Zach Bryan
The popular country singer finds himself a bit electric, with reverbed electric guitars backing his signature croon, on this topical track released on Jan. 8, 2026. Zach Bryan hasn’t historically been outspoken politically, and “Bad News” isn’t a direct response to any singular event. Still, its sentiments capture the growing division and hopelessness sparked by ICE and related shootings.
9. ‘City of Heroes’ by Billy Bragg
The British protest singer released his own take on Minneapolis just after Springsteen’s on Jan. 28 with “City of Heroes.” It’s a similarly moment and feeling-capturing track that details the buildup to this moment, as well as the absurdity of the actions being taken in Minneapolis, including the shootings and five-year-old children being taken into custody. “They use tear gas and pepper spray / Against our whistles and our phones / But in this city of heroes / We will protect our home.”
10. ‘Chinga La Migra’ by Zada
This track was written, produced, arranged and performed by Zada, a teacher, artist, performer and ‘fashionista Activista’ from East Los Angeles. The title translates to ‘fuck the immigration police,’ and is performed gorgeously by this multi-talented singer.
11. ‘Ballad of a Thin Man’ by Bob Dylan
The only track here not released recently, Dylan’s classic, ambiguous protest anthem remains relevant, as it captures the disgruntled, fed-up sentiment that floods the streets among current protests. Its blues chords and vocal contempt for an abstract figure — theorized to be journalists, or politicians — together capture the disgust that many are feeling amidst the ICE killings and arrests. It may not be directly topical, but its sentiments paint an all-too-familiar feeling, one that has remained through each tragedy on and off American soil.
