While many musicians have expressed political sentiments through their art, guitarist Tom Morello has taken his activism a step further by curating a pointed 65-song “Fuck ICE” playlist that directly challenges U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies under the Trump administration.
The collection, available on Spotify and YouTube Music, serves as what Morello calls a “rocking little soundtrack” for protest energy and grassroots activism aimed at driving ICE out of communities.
The playlist’s diverse musical landscape spans multiple genres, featuring iconic rock bands like Rage Against the Machine, Led Zeppelin, and The Clash alongside hip-hop heavyweights Public Enemy, GZA, and Ice Cube.
Folk protest traditions are represented through Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, while country voices include Willie Nelson and Steve Earle, creating an extensive tapestry of resistance music.
Thematically coherent despite its genre diversity, the playlist includes powerful selections like Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song,” symbolically addressing immigration themes, and Bruce Springsteen’s “Across the Border” and “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” which tackle social justice issues. The playlist reinforces Morello’s commitment to celebrating diversity and inclusion through carefully selected protest songs.
Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name” and “People of the Sun” stand alongside Bob Marley’s “Get Up, Stand Up” as anthems of resistance.
Morello has expanded the playlist’s scope globally, incorporating Belfast-based group Kneecap, whom he dubbed “the Rage Against the Machine of now,” and Irish-influenced band The Pogues. The playlist also features The Pogues’ poignant track “Thousands Are Sailing” that powerfully addresses the challenges faced by Irish emigrants.
The selection even reaches into theatrical protest with “Why We Build The Wall” from the Broadway musical Hadestown.
Beyond curation, Morello has maintained his direct activism, attending protests and supporting immigrant communities while integrating his own anti-ICE original song “Pretend You Remember Me” into the collection.
Through social media platforms like Instagram, he promotes both the playlist and related activism, effectively merging musical expression with political action in a continuation of his longstanding commitment to using art as a vehicle for social change. This approach exemplifies how musicians can leverage sync licensing opportunities to amplify social messages while potentially generating revenue from their politically conscious works.
By submitting his curated playlist to Spotify’s editorial team, Morello has maximized audience reach while creating a powerful statement that resonates with listeners concerned about immigration policies.
