Kristen Hwang

The Desert Sun

For centuries music and politics have intermingled, each hard to tease apart from the other. From the patriotic anthems performed at the start of sporting events to the spirituals of faith and freedom sung by Southern slaves to the protest rock and roll of the 60s and 70s, music has narrated and navigated social and political upheaval, offering solace and purpose to those with a cause.

This year has been no different – and with a controversial and contentious presidential election in the rear view mirror the 2017 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has several acts that are likely to get political.

1. Kendrick Lamar

The hip hop artist's masterful album “To Pimp A Butterfly” bluntly examines themes of race, power, violence and black identity. Lamar's hit song “Alright,” which was produced by Pharrell and won two Grammys, has become an anthem of the Black Lives Matter movement. After Donald Trump cancelled a campaign rally in Chicago in March 2016, citing security concerns, protesters were filmed singing the chorus to "Alright." The lyrics go "We gon' be alright/Do you hear me, do you feel me?/We gon' be alright." Throughout the summer, the song would be used again and again by black protesters clashing with police with some comparing it to "We Shall Overcome" and "Lift Every Voice" – both key songs of the Civil Rights movement.

Lamar's association with the movement is implied rather than explicit, but in a 2015 interview with The New York Times about his album he said, "This is what’s happening in the world — not only to me but to my community. Whenever I make music, it reflects where I’m at mentally. And this is where we’re at."

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2. Lady Gaga

While the Day 2 headliner's Super Bowl halftime show had critics arguing whether it was too political, not political enough or just subtly political enough to slide under the noses of haters, the pop icon's debut Coachella performance might put the debate to rest thanks to the festival's no-holds barred atmosphere. Gaga has been a longtime advocate for LGBTQ rights, revealing several years ago that one of her first hit songs "Poker Face" was about her bisexuality. Her foundation, the Born This Way Foundation, takes its name from her 2011 anthem on self-acceptance and jointly-named album, and focuses on youth empowerment and anti-bullying issues.

Gaga also campaigned for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, surprising fans in Raleigh, N.C. the eve before Election Day. "What I'm asking you is to be in this moment, right now, with us and fight for your future and the future of your children," Gaga said to a cheering crowd.

Whether Gaga performs from her latest album "Joanne," which shows off her softer side, or reaches for the hits of her past – or likely both – the queen of transformation has never been one to shy away staging a scene. She is sure to reassure her fans that no matter the political climate, it's OK to be "born this way."

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3. Bastille

On the day that Britain voted to leave the European Union, the British indie rock band subtly changed the lyrics of its hit single "Pompeii." The group sang: "The pound kept tumbling down on the weekend that we love." Later, in a July interview with NME, singer Dan Smith said that the band "couldn't not react" to the vote. Smith said to NME that the "daydream is over" and confirmed that the band's new song "The Currents" was inspired by the rise of populist politicians on either side of the Atlantic.

Its lyrics are: "To think about the power of your words/We're living in the currents you create/We're sinking in the pool of your mistakes/So stub it out, your podium awaits"

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4. Mac Miller

In an appearance on "The Nightly Show" in March 2016, Miller pleaded with fans not to vote for then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, contending that Trump's policies would really "make America white again."

"I come here today as a white man, with the hope that maybe you'll listen to me," Miller said. "In other words, let me 'whitesplain' this to you, racist s-- of a b---. You see, you're lowering the bar for our nation's intelligence. Your only goal is to stay in the spotlight no matter how much it fuels the fire of hate groups that you apparently know nothing about like the KKK and neo-Nazis."

Trump and Miller have had a long-running feud, with the the billionaire-turned-politician threatening to sue Miller over the rapper's 2011 platinum single titled "Donald Trump." In 2013, Trump tweeted "Little @MacMiller, I’m now going to teach you a big boy lesson about lawsuits and finance. You ungrateful dog!"

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5. Hans Zimmer

The likelihood of the acclaimed composer's set turning political is kind of a wildcard, much like the kinds of songs he could perform. This titan of the Hollywood film industry has such works to his name such as "The Lion King," "Pirates of the Caribbean," "The Dark Knight Trilogy," and "Interstellar." He has an Academy Award, two Golden Globes and four Grammys under his belt along with a slew of other accolades. Zimmer is known for combining electronic music with orchestral compositions, and his appearance at Coachella will kick off a 20-country world tour.

But a little-known fact about Zimmer is that he's also a Bernie bro.

In September, Zimmer was one of 128 "artists, musicians and cultural leaders of America" to sign a letter endorsing then-Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders' bid for president.