By capitalizing on the far-reaching potential of music, you can send a lyrical but political message. Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, an American boxer, was accused of triple murder in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1966. Carter was wrongly accused and imprisoned for about 20 years on the basis of his skin color. While in prison this middleweight wrote a biography, The Sixteenth Round, in 1975; that same year Bob Dylan wrote “Hurricane” referencing this tragic event. The two lines that are featured in the last verse are as follows:

“An innocent man in a living hell

…

Put in a prison cell, but one time he could-a been

The champion of the world”.

Music has the ability to reach many people, especially at a time when radio was the ruling force. This artist is using music as a form of protest and a platform for identifying systemic inequalities. Through the use of free speech, lyricism, and melody, Bob Dylan sent a message about issues with America’s justice system and the ever-present institutionalised racism in the country.