The Songs For Good 2020 Challenge, a competition presented by the nonprofit Social Good Fund, announces the Top 10 finalist songs in search of a new soundtrack for democracy as the 2020 election approaches.
The goal of the Songs For Good 2020 Challenge is to inspire a new generation of voters with the help of artists to create purpose-driven music that inspires and energizes crowds. Songs For Good hopes to boost participation among their partner organizations and encourage people to vote in the 2020 election. Activism organizations including March For Our Lives, RepresentUS, Zero Hour, National Children’s Campaign, Sunrise Bay Area, and Bridge USA intend to promote the top five songs from the Songs For Good Challenge at their events leading up to Election Day.
“Music has been absolutely integral to the March For Our Lives movement and culture since its inception. Artivism — the intersection of art and activism — is an extremely powerful tool for inspiring and connecting with others, yet its potential reach remains largely untapped. That’s why March For Our Lives is thrilled to partner with Songs For Good for the 2020 Challenge. Together, we’re encouraging our network to use their voices in more ways than one!” -Brendan Duff (March for Our Lives, Co-Founder)
The Top 10 Finalists for the Songs For Good 2020 Challenge are:
- Divinity Roxx “We Are” (West New York, NJ)
- Eric Tyler “Stand Up” (Orangeburg, NC)
- Flipsyde “Imagine Peace” (Oakland, CA)
- Glenwood Crowe “Drums For Justice” (Tempe, AZ)
- Kanika Feaster-Gordon & John Gordon “Vote2020” (Baltimore, MD)
- Jasmin & Candace Bevans “If We Change” (Baltimore, MD)
- Marquie Jackson & Broderic Thompson “Freedom” (Rosenberg, TX)
- Rachael Major “New Day” (Indianapolis, IN)
- Sunshine Becker “Lookin’ Out” (San Ramon, CA)
- The Continuous “Change is Coming” (Nashville, TN)
Divinity Roxx is a Grammy-nominated artist from West New York, NJ, and the current bass player for Black Girls Rock Orchestra. She has worked with artists including Jay-Z, Beyonce̕, Nona Hendryx, Patti Labelle, and Gladys Knight.
Voting is open to the public from Tuesday, Sept 8 through Sunday, Sept 20, 2020. The top songs will be announced on National Voter Registration Day on September 22. Click here to vote. The winner will receive $5,000, song production from featuring artist Madame Gandhi, and a music video. The four runners-up will receive $1,000.
What excites me about Songs For Good is knowing that some of the biggest revolutions in history have happened because of the musicians of the time. Music has always been one of the most powerful forms of art because it caters to the emotions and fosters a sense of empathy and motivation in the listener. It gives me great joy to lend my voice to an organization that seeks to use songwriting as a political tool to inspire change. It could not be a better partnership.
Madame Gandhi (Music Producer, Artist)
(Update Sept 29) Rachael Major was announced as the winning songwriter of the 2020 Songwriting Challenge with her song, “New Day.” The song was voted number one by the public in the crowdsourcing campaign in search of anthems for the 2020 election. Rachael Major is an Indianapolis native who is only 16-year-old. She was awarded $5,000 for winning first place for the Songs For Good 2020 Songwriting Challenge as well as her song “New Day” being professionally recorded. The Song will feature artist Madame Gandhi. A music video will be produced as well for the award winning song. “New Day” will further be heard at forthcoming 2020 election events hosted by Songs For Good partner organizations such as March For Our Lives, RepresentUs, Zero Hour, National Children’s Campaign, Sunrise Bay Area, Access the Polls, and Bridge USA.
