Playlist: Sexual Violence Awareness Through Art
Art can be a powerful tool for education, inspiring social change, and raising awareness. In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), we have compiled a sampling of performance artists who have used their art to highlight themes of sexual and relationship violence prevention and awareness, as well as survivorship and survivor support. Please keep in mind that most of these videos feature explicit language and imagery related to sexual and relationship violence—particularly graphic content has been noted individually. We encourage you to take care of yourself while engaging with these artists and videos. Please do not hesitate to reach out for support, if needed.
If you would like to submit a song to the playlist, please fill out this form. We will be collecting student performance submissions and updating the SAAM playlist throughout the month of April.
To learn more about Berklee’s SAAM programs, opportunities, and resources, visit berklee.edu/SAAM.
Featured Artists
1. 'Til It Happens to You,' Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga cowrote the song "'Til It Happens to You" with Diane Warren for the 2015 documentary film The Hunting Ground, which explores the issue of campus rape in the United States. For the song, Lady Gaga released a powerful music video that follows three survivors of sexual assault. You can also watch Lady Gaga’s 2016 Oscar performance of the song.
CW: Graphic visual depictions of sexual assault
2. 'Survivor,' Destiny's Child
Destiny’s Child’s hit 2001 song is a powerful and iconic girl-group ballad about survivorship, breaking away from unhealthy relationships, and coming into one’s own. Beyoncé originally wrote the song after Destiny’s Child received negative comments in the media and she wanted to flip the narrative to show the group’s strength.3. our power. JoJo Gomez
JoJo Gomez blends performance art and dance in this piece that explores the unspoken state of the dance industry. Set to Billie Eilish's "Your Power," Gomez calls out the abuse of dancers in the industry, as well as the lack of support they receive when they come forward with their stories.4. 'If Bodies Are Speaking Vessels for God,' Mary Lambert
Poet and musician Mary Lambert wrote this poem as a means of healing from her experiences with childhood and adolescent sexual assault. It is framed as a conversation between her and God and highlights themes of survivorship and triumph. Lambert talks about this poem and others collected in her anthology Shame is an Ocean I Swim Across in an interview with The Mary Sue and in an interview with Cosmopolitan.5. 'Cleaning Out My Closet,' Angel Haze
Angel Haze released this song in 2012 documenting their experiences with childhood sexual assault and the aftermath of dealing with that trauma. Their track explores themes of survivorship and finding themself in the aftermath. Read a short interview with them about the song.
CW: Graphic verbal descriptions of child sexual assault, suicidal ideation, and homicidal ideation.
6. 'Not All Men,' Morgan St. Jean
Morgan St. Jean's song highlights the experience of existing as a woman in a society where survivors are often blamed for their assaults. Through her music, St. Jean explores the many excuses given to justify an assault and shows how difficult it can be for women to find allies who support them.7. 'I'm Taking My Body Back,' Rupi Kaur
In her 2016 TEDx talk, Rupi Kaur combines spoken word poetry and verbal narrative to recount her recovery and healing from sexual violence. Kaur explores what it means to be at home in her body and reclaim her sense of identity after experiencing sexual trauma.8. 'Girls Like Girls,' Hayley Kiyoko
Hayley Kiyoko’s 2015 hit deals with issues of relationship violence and homophobia. You can read more about what inspired Kiyoko to write the song and create her music video, which went on to become an instant hit with the LGBTQ+ community.
CW: Homophobic attack
9. The Dancers' Story, The BOM Squad
The BOM Squad, a Mumbai-based, all-women jazz dance crew, created this video as a representation of what a victim of sexual harassment has to endure and to highlight the harassment they experience as dancers. Read more about their video project.
CW: Graphic verbal descriptions of sexual assault
10. 'Praying,' Kesha
Kesha’s 2017 song explores survivorship and triumphing over hard times. Read more about the song in Kesha’s own words, and learn more about Kesha’s performance—with the help of singers Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, Andra Day, Bebe Rexha, and Julia Michaelsand—of "Praying" at the 2018 Grammy Awards.11. 'Silenced,' Mersi Stone
Mersi Stone’s video showcases statistics about the reality of sexual violence in the United States and how relationship and victim blaming affects survivors. Stone's video highlights how people of all genders can be affected by interpersonal relationship and sexual violence.
CW: Graphic written descriptions of sexual assault and abusive relationships
12. 'Boys Will Be Boys,' Stella Donnelly
Through song, Stella Donnelly tackles the issues of rape culture and victim blaming, especially how they affect survivors' daily lives. She hopes her music will encourage others to have the difficult conversations around sexual violence, allyship, and victim blaming. Listen to an interview with Donnelly about the song.13. 'Gratitude,' Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco’s folk-rock song asks the question: Why do people take advantage of others when they are vulnerable? DiFranco’s lyrics narrate an experience of sexual assault by someone who she trusted and who was helping her out in a time of need. She did not owe anyone the unwanted use of her body in the name of gratitude.14. 'Baby Mama,' Fantasia
Fantasia's 2005 song explores themes such as self-confidence and highlights the importance of women supporting and uplifting other women, especially those who are not receiving adequate support or visibility in society. Although the song was originally written with single mothers in mind, Fantasia’s enthusiasm about support can be applied to any kind of community care.15. SA's Dirty Laundry, Nondumiso Msimanga and Jenny Nijenhuis
Nondumiso Msimanga and Jenny Nijenhuis's installation work blends activism and art to raise awareness about the issue of rape in South Africa. Originally created in 2016 for the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, 3600 survivors shared their stories and mailed underwear to be used in the work as a representation of the estimated 3600 rapes that occur in South Africa every day. Read more about the project.16. 'Somebody's Daughter,' Breezy Love
Berklee's Breezy Love states that she "felt inclined to write 'Somebody’s Daughter' about the Me-Too movement. The song serves as a reminder that every [woman] who’s ever been dehumanized, sexually assaulted, or put up a hand to say 'me too' is somebody’s daughter. She’s not some faceless, nameless body—she’s a person [whose] life and story matter."17. 'Fourteen,' Nina del Río
Berklee's Nina del Río states that "Fourteen" "is a song I wrote a while ago about sexual assault and the long-lasting effects of it. I hope it makes people feel…seen and understand that anything they might be processing or feeling is valid."
18. 'What's Love About,' Bella Dimichino
Berklee’s own Bella Dimichino says that “this is a song that speaks out against sexual assault and domestic violence. Although it may feel isolating, it's important to recognize that so many people have gone through similar struggles and are here in support. But the most important thing to remember is that self-love comes before anything else.”