The history and politics of the English protest song

2017

Ghosts of Grenfell

Tune: Original
Lyrics: Lowkey feat. Mai Khalil
Composer: Lowkey feat. Mai Khalil

A fire in Grenfell Tower in London in 2017 killed 72 residents. Singer-songwriter Lowkey witnessed the fire and wrote this song in the immediate aftermath. One verse is sung by Mai Khalil in Arabic, reflecting the diverse community who lived and died in the building. Blame is directed at the local council, but hope is found in the power of the people (‘Like a Phoenix we will rise’).

Cause: Anti-capitalist | Equal Rights | Multiculturalist
Theme: Rights | Identity | Political Process
Addressed to: Elected Representatives | Political Elite
Target of Protest: Elected Representatives
Proposal/Solution: Reparation | Honesty