“Listen to the Banned” is compiled by Deeyah and Freemuse and presents the music of artists around the world who have experienced censorship and repression....

“Listen to the Banned” is compiled by Deeyah and Freemuse and presents the music of artists around the world who have experienced censorship and repression. Censorship can be extreme. The Taliban in Afghanistan exercised a total ban on music. North Korea and Iran have severe restrictions on music. Musicians in many African countries are targeted because their messages not only channel people’s frustrations or aspirations, but are received even by illiterates and transmitted from mouth to ear independently of media and government control. Certain songs have mobilized civil society in the fight against corruption. Freemuse has documented cases of censorship of music in more than 100 countries and is the only international organization advocating freedom of expression for musicians and composers. The songs on this album come from the countries of Iran, Israel, Cameroon, Afghanistan, Sudan, Turkey, and others.