It's Been a Minute Protest is going viral on TikTok
Jan 14, 2026
Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, an NPR Music reporter known for her insights on music trends, explores the resurgence of folk protest music on TikTok. She highlights artists like Jensen McRae and Jesse Welles, discussing how their timely, folk-inspired songs resonate with today’s political climate. Isabella also examines the revival's roots, the appeal of simple music on social platforms, and the moral dilemmas artists face. Ultimately, she questions whether this viral music can spur real-world change, making for a thought-provoking conversation.
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Instant Topical Songs On Social Media
- Folk-style protest songs on TikTok let artists respond to current events quickly and directly.
- Artists like Jesse Wells and Jensen McRae post short topical songs that reach wide audiences fast.
Aesthetic Comeback Enables Political Layering
- The folk/Americana aesthetic is resurging alongside mainstream country popularity.
- That returning aesthetic makes it natural for artists to layer political messages onto acoustic sounds.
Keep Protest Songs Simple And Direct
- Use simple guitar-and-voice formats to communicate clearly and quickly on social platforms.
- Short, plainspoken lyrics help messages cut through algorithmic noise and reach listeners.