Murugesan 1

Tarun Murugesan

Professor Granillo

English 101

5 February 2020

Essay #4 Playlist Abstract

The playlist titled A New Patriot contains the songs “Change” by J. Cole, “i” by Kendrick

Lamar, “Land of the Free” by Joey Bada$$, and “This Is America” by Childish Gambino. All

these songs convey an unorthodox definition of the word “patriot.” Similar to Hanif

Abdurraqib’s idea of its meaningー that a patriot is one who, despite external struggles present in

one’s nation, has the courage to fight to change that nation from withinー the songs mentioned

above perfectly aid in the creation of this idea. These songs are connected not only by the

respective musical artists’ personal accounts or social commentaries on the discrimination within

America, but also by their messages for the need to actively work to create an America that

reaches its glorious potential. The word “patriot” is redefined as not one who vehemently loves

their nation, but one who deeply hopes and desires for the best version of that nation. The songs

within this playlist also put on display the bravery and freedoms of the black community. Each

song’s musical artist conveys the lack of freedoms and struggles, from racism to police brutality,

that members within this group face and the bravery that they currently display or must display

in order to regain their freedoms.