songs about inprisonment & immigration brainstorm

[ayres]

I'm making a mix CD for a non-profit that deals with immigration & the criminal justice system in the US. The idea they had was to do an entire CD of mashups with all kinds of songs about immigration and imprisonment. They wanted hip-hop, reggaeton, bhangra, reggae, classic rock and all kinds of stuff. I explained how you can't really do mashups without accapellas and they are cool with it being sections of different kinds of music, so now I'm getting the music together (mostly their suggestions, with a few of mine thrown in there).Long story short, I'm looking for more songs that are about being in jail or immigrants being treated badly. It shouldn't be too obscure (it has to be stuff I can find, and preferably stuff that will mix with what I already have). Any ideas would be appreciated.Public Enemy - Black Steel in the Hour of ChaosKRS 1 - Sound of Da PoliceRakaa Iriscience - Caution Jurassic 5 - FreedomDead Prez - Behind Enemy LinesStyles P - I'm BlackJadakiss - Why RemixTalib Kweli - Get ByNas - One LoveAkon & Nas - Locked Up (remix)Akon & Richie Spice - Locked Up For Marijuana (remix)Peter Metro - GreencardRankin Toyan - ImmigrationMystic - Bruk Pocket ForeignerJunior Reid - Foreign MindPinchers - Borders Peter Tosh - ApartheidGenesis - Illegal AlienPolice - Walking On The Moon Crosby, Stills & Nash - Wooden ShipsRolling Stones - Gimme ShelterLed Zeppelin - Immigrant SongMIA - AmazonSade - Immigrant

 

[peacefulrotation]

Brand Nubian - Hold On
Jawnny Cash - Folsom PRison Blues
Jacob Miller- Tenement Yard ?

 

[johmbolaya]

Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song

This song wouldn't fit in with what you want to cover. It's more along the lines of Lord Of The Rings-type immigration, the whole hammer of the Gods will drive our ship to new lands thing.

I don't know if Crosby Stills & Nash's "Wooden Ships" would fit, although it is politically toned. All of them, as well as Neil Young, have done their share of songs that would fit. Graham Nash has "Immigration Man".

 

[soulrez]

nwa - fuck the po*ice

 

[Swayze]

Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song

This song wouldn't fit in with what you want to cover. It's more along the lines of Lord Of The Rings-type immigration, the whole hammer of the Gods will drive our ship to new lands thing.
eh, Lord of the Rings??? it's about the Vikings!

 

[The_Hook_Up]

I just got a great record of field recordings of women's prison work songs from the Parchman Prison in Mississippi. The recordings date from the 30s. All accapella too, so you can blend them with ease.

I just tried to look for it so i could post the cover, but no luck(I gotta get more organized) but there are lots of field recordings of prison songs out there and there are usually accapellas.

 

[tallbobsmoke]

Gil Scot Heron - Angola Louisiana

 

[djdaze]

Lifers Group - Belly of the Beast

actually, anything from them really

 

[faux_rillz]

Beanie "What Your Life Like"

 

[Jonny_Paycheck]

Beanie "What Your Life Like

Part II as well (which I prefer)

 

[bassie]

Burning Spear - Ethiopians Live It Out

 

[james]

In the Indigo Grulls' "Shame On You," the line "We've been looking for illegal immigrants--can we check your car?" is left fairly open.





And for the oblique in you: "The Royal Scam" by Steely Dan.

 

[HAZ]

Lench Mob - Lost in the System


Billy Bragg - Rotting On Remand


Askari X - Ward of The State

 

[bassie]

Attica Blues - Archie Shepp

 

[Birdman9]

Attica Blues - Archie Shepp

good one!

 

[The_Non]

Angelo Bond-Bondage

 

[rape_donkeys]

maybe not exactly imprisonment or immigration.. kind of a little of both

'driva man' by max roach and abbey lincoln on the we insist! record. shit is too real.

 

[djdaze]

I just remembered this compilation that came out a few years back...The Unbound Project. Definitely that same theme.

Here's the tracklisting:

Human Element, The - Reflection Eternal
Us Kids Are Doing It - J Rocc
Caution - Iriscience
Strata - Jerry Quickley
Objective, The - J Rocc
Dance Of The Dead - Saul Williams
Mumia 911 - The Unbound Allstars
Feb. 4th 1999 (For All Those Killed By The Cops) - Mike Ladd
Social Policy Derelicts - Mike Ladd/Seeing I
Full Court Press - Medina Green
Ms. Amerikkka - AceyAlone
Degredation - J Rocc
Soul In Flesh - Blackalicious
Soon - Ursula Rucker
Lincoln`s Lie - Mums The Schemer
Slaves In America - Poor Righteous Teachers

 

[ayres]

unfortunately the music on that sucks. i'm using the iriscience joint off that though - it is pretty OK musically and definitely on topic lyrically. the non-profit folks gave me a bunch of comps that mostly suck.

 

[djdaze]

yeah...I couldn't remember if it was any good or not. oh well. haha.