As ICE raids American cities, artists fight back before the Grammys with ‘More teeth … more rage’

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Last week, Minneapolis rapper and activist Nur-D (Matthew Allen) physically intervened to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

I was shocked and heartbroken to hear about Alex Pretti, a nurse in Minneapolis, being killed by ICE agents on January 24th – and it happened so soon after Renee Good was tragically killed nearby. I learned that Allen joined a protest on Nicollet Avenue that same day. He told people that as he was trying to move away from the ICE agents, they shot him in the back with some kind of projectile. There’s a video circulating online that clearly shows agents tackling him and holding him down on the ground. It’s just awful.

I was really disturbed watching this video of a man, Matthew James Obadiah Allen, who kept shouting that he was a US citizen. He was clearly in distress, yelling that people were holding him down, spraying something at him, and even hitting him, all while insisting he hadn’t done anything wrong. It’s just awful to see.

He yells, “If you shoot me here!” just before an officer sprays him with a chemical irritant.

Allen stated he wasn’t charged with anything after being released. However, the way he spoke in the video reminded people of the style and themes found in his music.

Allen explained, in an interview shortly after the event, that he wanted a clear account of what had happened. He said that if he was going to die, he wanted to ensure everyone knew exactly who he was and what really happened, making it difficult for anyone to misrepresent the situation.

The attack was brutal, and the pepper spray felt like acid on his skin. He described it as a freezing nightmare, but insisted that the most crucial thing was having the final say.

A post shared by Status Coup (@statuscoup)

With increased ICE raids happening across the country, communities are organizing to support each other. Artists and musicians, who have often been involved in activism and protests, are also stepping up to help.

It feels like things are really coming to a head with the Grammys this weekend and the Super Bowl next weekend – especially with Bad Bunny performing at halftime. As a fan, it’s hard not to notice that so many artists are now grappling with how to use their voice when people around them are facing real danger, being hurt, or even killed. It’s a tough spot to be in, and it feels like a turning point.

You know, growing up, I wasn’t really aware of the struggles happening in Compton, but I definitely felt it in the music. It’s haunting, because so many of the artists I’ve shared the stage with are now caught up in the realities of life on those streets. It makes you realize how lucky you are, and honestly, it fuels my desire to be real in my music – to tell the truth about what’s happening, because surviving to tell that story feels like a responsibility.

California

On Friday, hundreds of people protested in downtown Los Angeles against recent immigration raids across the country. They marched to a federal detention center as part of the demonstration.

When Donald Trump won the election last year, many artists who were upset by Kamala Harris losing were worried about what the future held, but also felt drained and confused by the whole process.

The recent, harsh ICE raids and detentions – which have already resulted in nine deaths in 2026 – have re-energized them.

Many prominent artists, including Lady Gaga, Tyler, the Creator, Neil Young, Dave Grohl, and Randy Blythe of Lamb of God, have publicly condemned the recent violent actions. Bruce Springsteen responded by releasing a new song, “Streets of Minneapolis,” reminiscent of the quick, socially-conscious songwriting style of his idol, Pete Seeger. The lyrics— “Through the winter’s ice and cold / Down Nicollet Avenue / A city aflame fought fire and ice / ‘Neath an occupier’s boots”—directly address the events.

María Zardoya, a member of the band The Marías, gave all the money earned from a recent art show to the National Day Laborer Organizing Network. Rapper Ice-T updated his song “Cop Killer” with his band Body Count as a protest against ICE. Ariana Grande clearly stated her opposition to ICE in a recent post, quoting New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who said ICE creates fear and danger in cities and should be abolished.

This weekend, as national strikes and protests take place across the country, the activist group ICE Out will be present at the Grammy Awards. They plan to give artists walking the red carpet – including stars like Olivia Rodrigo – pins opposing ICE, and encourage them to speak out against the agency’s practices.

I’m really fed up with the way ICE has been treating our communities – it’s just gone too far. It’s heartbreaking that it took tragedies to get people to finally pay attention, but I think we’re seeing a real shift now. They’ve been targeting immigrants ever since Trump first ran for office in 2016, and I think they’re finally starting to realize they’ve gone way too far with their actions. That’s why I’m supporting this ‘ICE Out’ campaign at the Grammys – we need to make our voices heard.

Music

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Rhiannon Giddens, a celebrated artist who has won both a Pulitzer and a Grammy Award and is nominated for a folk album award this year, will be involved in the campaign.

People have been using music to protest injustice for nearly two centuries, and it’s a deeply American tradition,” Giddens explained. She pointed to the Hutchinson Family Singers, a well-known abolitionist group from the 1840s, as an early example.

As a fan, it really struck me when I heard Giddens talk about how even during incredibly tough times – like when Indigenous kids were forced into residential schools, or during the days of slave patrols – people still found ways to speak up and protest. She made a great point that artists with a platform have a real opportunity to do good, but it means moving beyond just chasing fame and money and actually focusing on supporting the communities that need it most.

Bad Bunny is a major performer this February – he’s up for six Grammy Awards and will be taking the stage at the Super Bowl halftime show. Beyond music, he’s been a strong voice for Puerto Rico, especially after the limited aid the island received following Hurricane Maria. He recently chose to perform 31 shows in Puerto Rico instead of touring the U.S., explaining he wanted to protect his largely Latino fanbase from potential ICE raids at concerts. This decision came after the success of his 2025 album, “Debi Tirar Mas Fotos.”

Vanessa Diaz, a professor at Loyola Marymount University and co-author of the book “P FKN R: How Bad Bunny Became the Global Voice of Puerto Rican Resistance,” explained that Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance is particularly important right now. She noted that Latinos, Spanish speakers, and immigrants—or people perceived as such—are currently facing harassment and violence, and his performance offers a powerful moment of visibility and representation.

According to Diaz, he began publicly protesting and criticizing Trump after appearing on Fallon in 2018. However, his opposition goes beyond just disliking Trump himself – he fundamentally opposes the entire effort that led to Trump gaining power.

Voices

Essay: Bad Bunny will star in the Super Bowl LX halftime show. But will his fans be safe?

Bad Bunny, the popular Puerto Rican artist, won’t be including U.S. dates on his next tour because he’s worried about ICE targeting Latino communities. This raises questions about why he agreed to perform at the Super Bowl in 2026, which will be held in the U.S.

Diaz doesn’t anticipate any direct opposition during the halftime show, though he suggests a subtle display – like a lighter shade of the Puerto Rican flag – could be a quiet protest against occupation. He explained that the NFL is generally conservative, but a shift in cultural influence is creating tension. Ultimately, the NFL recognizes the artist’s immense popularity and reach.

As a fan, I was really disappointed to hear Green Day is opening the Super Bowl. It feels like a slap in the face, especially since they publicly supported protests against ICE last year and even used a song like “F Off” to highlight them. It just doesn’t sit right with me, knowing that history.

The Trump administration is clearly focusing on music as part of its communication strategy. We’ve seen President Trump share the stage with Nicki Minaj, and he’s rebranded the Kennedy Center, hosting its annual gala with performers like Kiss, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, and Michael Crawford. However, this approach has backfired with some artists. For example, the Department of Homeland Security used songs by Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter in social media videos, prompting strong criticism. Rodrigo publicly objected to the use of her song “All-American Bitch,” stating she didn’t want her music associated with what she called “racist, hateful propaganda.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center highlighted a Department of Homeland Security post featuring the song “We’ll Have Our Home Again.” The SPLC identified the song’s performer, a little-known folk group called the Pine Tree Riots, as a hidden white nationalist organization.

Following the release of Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Minneapolis,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated to Variety that the Trump Administration’s priority is getting state and local Democratic leaders to cooperate with federal law enforcement in removing dangerous, undocumented immigrants from their communities, rather than focusing on songs that express opinions they disagree with and contain what they consider to be false information.

President Trump didn’t go to the Super Bowl this year, and he said it was partly because of the performers, Bad Bunny and Green Day. He stated he’s “anti-them” and believes their inclusion was a “terrible choice” that would create division.

Sports

President Trump announced he will not be going to Super Bowl LVI, citing its location in the Bay Area as being too far away. He also expressed his disapproval of both participating teams being from states that typically vote Democratic, and doesn’t support the halftime show performer, Bad Bunny.

Stamp believes that the anti-ICE activism from musicians gets under Trump’s skin.

According to Stamp, Trump’s appeal stems from his deep connection to popular culture. He actively sought recognition through events like the Kennedy Center Honors and even a fabricated FIFA peace prize, motivated by a desire for the prestige of a Nobel Peace Prize. This administration prioritizes grand displays, and Trump’s wealthy supporters, like Larry Ellison and Jeff Bezos, are investing in cultural platforms to boost his popularity. Ultimately, their efforts—a blend of performance art and political messaging—are heavily influenced by trends in popular culture.

As a movie lover, I’m excited about all the big events coming to L.A. – the Grammys, the Oscars, the World Cup, and especially the Olympics! But it’s also worrying to hear about the increased ICE raids happening around the city. Just on New Year’s Eve, a man named Keith Porter Jr. was tragically shot and killed by an ICE officer, Brian Palacios, in an apartment complex in Northridge. It makes you think about what’s really going on behind all the glitz and glamour.

Dayna Frank, CEO of First Avenue in Minneapolis and an activist with ICE Out, believes local music scenes should be actively involved in organizing support and providing assistance. She highlighted groups like the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee and Monarca as examples of organizations doing important work that could be amplified by the music industry. Similar advocacy efforts are also carried out by groups like the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles.

Frank described the situation in Minneapolis as “utterly devastating.” He noted a strong sense of fear in the city, with sirens constantly sounding. However, he also highlighted the positive impact of musicians showing their support, which he said was a boost for residents who were working hard to help each other by donating supplies, providing rides, and keeping schools safe.

California

Demonstrations against ICE in around 60 California cities were mostly calm across the state, despite a few instances of heightened emotions, disagreements, and minor property damage.

Frank admits that going to events in Minneapolis can feel a little uneasy, but he emphasizes that the atmosphere at shows remains amazing. He explained it’s a reminder to appreciate these shared experiences and the feeling of connection with others.

After years of protesting the deaths of Philando Castile and George Floyd, Allen is now channeling that energy into his Nur-D project, which captures the challenging and inspiring fight against ICE in his community.

He recalled spending an entire day in 2020 helping others through mutual aid, then immediately going to record, still smelling of chemical gas from the protests. He sees parallels to the current situation, saying while people can overlook injustice once, Minnesota has a history of government-backed violence and suppression of free speech. He believes the music emerging now might be more powerful and express more anger as a result.

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2026-01-30 22:32