By Jess Santacroce
Music Writer, Phoenix Radio

It’s no secret music can be political, or that our favorite musical artists often have and express strong opinions about politics, both through their art and in interviews and statements made on social media and other outlets. But what about our elected officials’ connection to music? What are the people we put in power listening to? And are any of them musicians themselves? 

New York City Mayor Elect Zohran Mamdani can rap...and some of his work is controversial

Before entering the field of politics, Zohran Mamdani enjoyed a brief career as a rapper. Under the stage names “Young Cardamon” and later “Mr. Cardamom,” Mamdani performed and released songs reflecting his life and the culture he grew up in. 

In “Nani,” a song posted six years ago to the YouTube channel of “Mr. Cardamom,” Mamdani raps from the point of view of an eighty-five year-old grandmother who has had more than enough of her family, particularly her grandson, talking down to her and treating her poorly. The main character in the song is angry enough to cuss people out and demand respect, something the song teaches that she deserves. 

Other songs are not so heartwarming. In 2017, Mamdani released a song titled “Salaam” in which the narrator praises the “Holy Land Five,” a group of people who were convicted of funneling millions to terror group Hamas. Of course, everything a character in a song, or any other piece of performance art, says or does is not reflective of the views of the writer. The sentiments could be that of a character Mamdani created, views he does not share. This song still remains controversial, concerning to many because Mamdani refuses to state that this is not his own view, often sidestepping questions about support for Hamas by quickly changing the subject. 

Several U.S. Presidents have been amateur musicians

As of 2025, America has never elected someone who has made all or at least an important part of their living in music. We have, however, had some presidents who were skilled musicians as a hobby. Multiple sources report that Thomas Jefferson could play both the violin and the cello. John Quincy Adams played the flute. John Tyler played violin. Truman could play the piano. And while most people who were around in the 1990’s remember Clinton playing the saxophone, most Americans forget that Nixon could also play the sax, along with the piano, clarinet, and accordion, and that Obama can sing. 

President Donald Trump is known for liking a wide variety of musical genres

Whether you are a dedicated “Trumper,” a Republican gradually growing ready for new leadership, or a participant in a “No Kings” rally, support for the arts and artists is not something you think of when you think of Donald Trump. He strongly advocates for cutting funding for the arts, and makes a regular habit of calling for the censoring of any artist who expresses disagreement with him or mocks him in any way, going so far as to suggest that Seth Green’s performance mocking him is “probably illegal.” 

It isn’t, but someone with the belief that it is, or even that it should be, illegal to create art that expresses certain beliefs would be expected to have very narrow tastes in art, including music. Surprisingly, the release of Trump’s playlist to the press over the years has revealed his tastes to be quite varied. He seems to listen to a little bit of everything, from Sinatra to tunes from Broadway musicals to classic rock, classic country, and metal. 



Former Representative (D-Texas) / current political activist Beto O’Rourke was in a punk band in the 1990s

Beto O’Rourke served in the House of Representatives from 2013-2019. Although he was defeated by Republican Ted Cruz in 2018, O’Rourke’s time in the House was notable, as it is rare for a Democrat to be so successful in such a heavily Republican state as Texas. According to interviews given to major media outlets such as CBS and The Hill, O’Rourke is undecided as to whether he will run for public office again, and is currently focused on helping other Democrats and progressive causes behind the scenes. 

Regardless of the specific roles he takes on, O’Rourke remains known in American politics as someone who is willing to loudly speak out against things he does not believe in, going so far as to interrupt press conferences and use commencement addresses to speak out against the Trump administration. 

Previously, O’Rourke expressed himself forcefully in a slightly different way, as a member of the post-hardcore punk band Foss. O’Rourke sang and played bass and guitar in the band from 1993-1995. Today their music is a bit difficult to find, but is listed on Discogs, with some clips, including a song titled “Rise” available on YouTube. 

Virginia has the lead singer of a thrash metal band in their state senate 

Danica Roem (D) has served in the state senate in her home state of Virginia since 2024. Previously, she served in the House of Delegates in the same state. Roem most often gains attention from the national media for being openly transgender, formerly known as “Dan.” Roem is one of only three transgender individuals elected to public office as of 2025, and the first in her state. 

Media attention to Roem’s gender identity shifts the focus from a trait that is even rarer to find in politics, one that as of November 2025, is completely unique to Danica Roem. She is the only lead singer of a thrash metal band ever to be elected to public office. 

 Roem’s band, Cab Ride Home, was active between 2006 and 2017. Their music can be found on the website band camp, with clips of performances from 16 years ago available on YouTube. 


Music is indeed a part of nearly everyone’s lives, sometimes in ways we might least expect. 

By Jess Santacroce
Music Writer, Phoenix Radio
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 The Bible teaches that “God helps those who help themselves.” It’s impossible for adult English speakers to learn another language. In order to stay hydrated, you have to drink eight full glasses of water every day. Many people would insist these are all pieces of common knowledge, yet none of them are true.“God helps those who help themselves” is a quote from Benjamin Franklin, and is the opposite of Jesus’ teachings in the Bible. Language learning is possible at any age, from any starting language. And the eight glasses of water refers to eight cups, making a drinking glass about two glasses of water or more. Other drinks, such as milk, juice, even coffee, also count toward daily water intake.

In music, we find even more of these pieces of conventional wisdom or common knowledge that just aren’t true.

"Every Breath You Take” by The Police is a love song about knowing everything about your partner.

When you’re in love with someone, the little things about them become important to you. A girlfriend notices that her boyfriend uses exactly three products from a men’s skincare line every morning and always puts on a white shirt when he has a business meeting. The boyfriend notes that his girlfriend drinks hot tea instead of coffee in the morning, and that she likes it with just half a teaspoon of real sugar. A husband and wife each know which tv shows their spouse will put on in the evening. For many, these are signs of real love, and “Every Breath You Take” is chosen as their song in celebration of those sentiments.

This lasts until someone points out that the song is actually about stalking. The main character/narrator in “Every Breath You Take” isn’t in love with the person he’s talking to. They were once in a relationship, or at least were in each others’ lives, but their paths no longer intersect. He’s now obsessed with tracking her every move, noting that he will pay attention to things that are far from charming details and are in fact angering, such as “every bond you break” and “every game you play.”

Contemporary Christian music is always upbeat and happy.

Think of the stereotype of a Christian today, and the traits you list are likely going to be conservative politics, a startlingly conventional appearance, and a demeanor that is always perky and wholesome.

Walk into any church that embraces modern worship music, and you can expect to hear a lot of music that does little to discourage people from forming this image. Most of it is indeed pop music with Christian lyrical themes. This picture of contemporary Christian music is most strongly promoted by the Christian radio station K-Love, with its tagline of “positive, encouraging K-Love” and constant playlist of the latest in Christian pop.

But just as there are Christians with liberal politics, their own sense of style, and a wide variety of moods and interests, there is contemporary Christian music with somber, even dark themes. It is just much less popular and a little more difficult to find than the kind of music you hear on K-Love.

Searches for “Christian music with darker themes” or “dark Christian music” generate more than thirty Spotify playlists, many of which tend toward metal and hardcore styles. The band “Wovenhand,” fronted by David Eugene Edwards, would fit into many punk/alternative playlists. Their song “Dirty Blue,” reflects on the despair of people finding comfort in a world fallen away from God, and sadness at having to live in such a world.

Punk music disappeared in the 1980s

Ask someone to make you a 1980’s playlist, and the person is likely to come back with a collection of songs by Madonna, Rick Springfield, Debbie Gibson, Air Supply, and a series of one-hit wonders with a similar sound. Tack the very early 1990’s on to that, and they’ll tack on some of the first pop bands to be called “boy bands.”

Many people don’t realize that punk and alternative existed and continued to grow throughout the 1980s, especially in larger cities. Minneapolis in particular was home to a thriving and important punk/alternative scene during the decade. Clubs such as First Avenue, 7th Street Entry, and The Longhorn hosted bands that would play a pivotal role in shaping not only the punk music scene, but would pave the way for the 1990’s alternative and grunge music that seemed to steer the world away from 1980’s pop.

Next time you make a 1980’s playlist, fill it with bands such as Husker Du, The Suicide Commandos, Babes in Toyland, and the Replacements.

The lyrics of “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins are a true story about someone watching another person drown but neglecting to help them

The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” is a dark song about doing something horrible to another person that people mistakenly believe is a love song. “In the Air Tonight” is the subject of the same common misconception, just in reverse.

Lines like “Well if you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand” and “Well I was there and I saw what you did” have been latched onto and taken literally by several listeners, who then concluded that the song must have been written from the perspective of a person who saw somebody refuse to help a drowning victim. As the urban legend grew, it began to be reported that the story told by the lyrics was not only about a drowning death, it was nonfiction.

While the song does indeed tell a true story, it is not about somebody allowing another person to perish in the water. “In the Air Tonight” is a love song, in particular, a “love gone wrong” song. It was written by Collins about his divorce from his first wife.

Song lyrics are poetry

Song lyrics and poems are both art forms that use, and often rhyme, words. Because both song lyrics and poetry often rely on rhyming while other art forms that use words, such as novels, plays, movies, and various forms of creative nonfiction typically do not use rhyming, some people conclude that the two art forms are the same.

While there are some songs whose lyrics can be easily read as a poem, and some poems that may be able to double as lyrics, this is very rare. Song lyrics and poetry are actually distinct art forms with important differences.

Because song lyrics are designed to be sung, or in the case of rap, spoken to music, they are written to a melody and include the structural pieces of a song, such as verses, choruses, and bridges. Poems are structured differently, as they are designed to be recited alone.

Challenge the next person who claims that song lyrics are poetry to a perfectly safe, ethical experiment. Have the person, or the nearest person who can sing, try to sing a poem. Then try to recite the last song you listened to as a poem. You’ll find that neither one quite works out.


Did you believe any of these common music myths and misconceptions? What do you know about music that just might not be true?

By Jess Santacroce
Music Writer, 955 The Heat, Phoenix Radio

Social media and other online spaces have become a sea of aesthetics over the last several years. Visit any site where people can easily log in and communicate, and you will see users promoting curated sets of tastes, styles, and behaviors. “Clean girl aesthetic,” demands a sleek, minimalist wardrobe, simple beauty routines, and fresh, natural food and hygiene products. “Academia” aesthetics center around the worlds of prep school or college and university life, and involve dressing like a prep school student, college instructor or professor or librarian, and indulging in the expected foods and activities such as reading poetry and drinking coffee or tea. Some pages devoted to understanding modern aesthetics list more than fifty, while others offer thirteen pages of thirty-two each. While each aesthetic may include musical genres or bands that fit the clothing, décor, and lifestyle, this contemporary method of categorizing things has most directly impacted music through the increasing popularity of micro genres. Fans and musicians alike may find music increasingly categorized into micro genres, as more and more music is offered and accessed online. Narrowing things down into the smallest subcategory possible can make it more likely to draw the attention of the anticipated audience. 

Smaller than a sub-genre, a micro genre has its own distinct characteristics not found in the wider sub-genre or the larger genre. A micro genre also differs from a sub-genre and from fusion in that, like an aesthetic, a micro genre is designed to cater to specific themes or tastes. Just like their fashion, décor, and food and activity counterparts, music micro genres are numerous enough to devote entire websites to the topic, but three stand out as the most accessible, the most startling, and the most obscure music micro genres. 

Most Accessible: Christian Rap, Pop, or Country 

Contemporary Christian music is described by some as its own genre. Others argue that because it does not have a distinct sound all its own, it is a sub-genre of whatever style of music is being played. However, each specific type of modern Christian music is often considered a micro genre, because it is written, produced, and marketed to appeal to very specific themes and tastes in music. 

Christian Rap is created to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as is all Christian music. But it is also created for and by people who love Rap music. Someone who accepted Jesus and their Lord and Savior, but did not enjoy the sound of Rap music at all would not be a Christian Rapper or a fan of Christian Rap. The same holds true for Christian Pop and Christian Country. It is this focus on a narrow category of listeners that qualifies each form of modern Christian music as a sub-genre for many. 

Rap fans who never thought to listen to Christian Rap before might want to try Lecrae. His song “Graced up,” performed with Miles Minnick, was released in May 2025, and sends a message of the blessing of the grace of Jesus Christ on a person’s life. Christian Pop is perhaps best exemplified today by Brandon Lake, particularly “Hard fought hallelujah,” a catchy song about being willing to go through trials in life to glorify God. “Deeper still,” by Ben Fuller is likely to appeal to Christians who love country music, as it sounds like a more traditional-leaning modern country song, but the lyrics center around finding Jesus “at the end of myself,” and a desire to know Him and His love deeper. 

Christian micro genres are easy to find, with entire stations, numerous playlists on streaming services, and whole sections of music stores devoted to Christian music. While aimed at Christians who enjoy each type of music, those who are not Christian may still like some Christian music in their favorite genre, as it basically sounds the same as what they are already into. 



Most Startling: Horrorcore

“Horrorcore” might best be defined as “Hip hop music for people who love horror movies, paranormal or horror fiction, and/or true crime.” The genre is Hip-hop, and some people call “Horrorcore,” a sub genre rather than a micro genre, but it qualifies as a micro genre because the themes in Horrorcore music are especially dark, even when compared to some of the grittier themes and lyrics of mainstream Rap and Hip Hop music. 

The most well-known Horrorcore artists may be the Hip-Hop duo Insane Clown Posse. Some of their song titles themselves are explicit, but like much of Horrorcore, even the most mundane sounding titles or choruses are woven around graphic, scary stories. “Prom Queen,” with its chorus beginning “Won’t you be my prom queen?” sounds like a typical teen crush tune, but listen closely and it is clear that the song is actually about a young man who is planning to murder someone at his prom. Similarly, Razakel’s “Cherry Red,” blends Hip-Hop with pop and sounds like it should be a dance song, but the lyrics reveal it to be written from the perspective of a murderer threatening a potential victim. 

Although the lyrics of Horrorcore music can be disturbing, it is important to remember that the artists are doing the same thing with their music that Stephen King does with his fiction or Wes Craven with film, that is, telling a fictional story to an audience who wants to enjoy that type of story. 


Most Obscure: Zeuhl

Even if you do not listen to them yourself, there is a good chance you know somebody into Christian Rap, Christian Pop, or Christian Country music. You may even know someone who listens to Horrorcore. But you probably do not know anybody who listens to one of the most obscure music micro genres, Zeuhl. 

This micro genre was formed in 1969. It is often described as a blend of Jazz, Progressive Rock, Classical Music, and other styles. Free Jazz is noted as a particular influence. Musically, this makes Zeuhl an extreme form of fusion music, but it is the lyrics that push it into micro genre territory. 

Zeuhl was founded by the French band Magma, but rather than writing and singing their songs in French, Magma’s music is almost entirely in a language called Kobaian, a language that was invented by the band’s drummer, Christian Vander. It may not be possible to find a genre more “micro” than “type of music that was founded in a language invented by a single individual for that genre.” 

Magma is not the only Zeuhl band. In a 2020 bandcamp article titled, “There is no prog, only Zeuhl: A guide to one of Rock’s most imaginative subgenres,” writer Jim Allen lists twelve bands he defines as “Zeuhl,” while the wikipedia entry for “Zeuhl” lists twenty-four. 

The easiest way to hear what “Zeuhl” sounds like is to search YouTube for videos of Magma. 

For more information about micro genres, vist….the entire internet. Then come back a few months later and search all over again. Just as some lifestyle aesthetics seem to be here forever, while others are fads that fade in a season, some music micro genres have been around for more than fifty years, while others may have lasted only a few years and then faded away, with new ones forming and categories shifting over time.