Nina Simone wielded her music, a combination of classical, jazz, blues and gospel, as a tool for truth, justice, and healing. Her voice took on the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement, confronting racism and inequality head-on in songs like Mississippi Goddam and To Be Young, Gifted and Black. Her music was both a protest and a call for unity, challenging injustice while expressing deep emotional and spiritual resilience. By standing unapologetically in her truth, Simone inspired generations to use art as a force for peace, dignity, and liberation.

Joan Baez is a folk musician who wrote and performed songs as her form of protest and protection of humanity. She famously advocated for equality during the Civil Rights Movement of 1954 and spoke out against the Vietnam war. Her voice, strong and light, captivated audiences and landed a platform for outreach against injustice. Her presence and performance at a multitude of protests attracted people to the scene and encouraged them to raise their voices against injustice with her. Baez went on to co-found the Institute for the Study of Non-Violence in Carmel, California which later evolved into a  Resource Center for Nonviolence. Joan Baez dedicated her life to fighting for justice using peaceful methods and continues to do so.

Miriam Makeba, affectionately known as "Mama Africa," is celebrated for her unwavering dedication to justice, equality, and human rights. Born in South Africa during the height of apartheid, Makeba used her extraordinary talent and international fame not just to entertain, but to educate and inspire change. She boldly spoke out against the brutal system of racial segregation in her homeland, even though doing so led to her exile and separation from her family for over three decades. Despite this personal sacrifice, she continued to raise awareness around the world through her music, a blend of traditional African sounds with powerful messages of resistance and unity. Makeba also worked closely with global leaders and organizations, including the United Nations, to promote peace and justice. Her life was a testament to the power of art as a tool for activism, and her courage in the face of oppression made her not just a musical legend, but a symbol of hope and a true hero for peace.

Patti Smith’s powerful fusion of music, poetry, and activism challenges injustice and inspires compassion. Often referred to as “punk poet laureate,” she infused her raw, emotional songs with messages of resistance, hope, and human dignity. Tracks like “People Have the Power” became anthems for social change, urging listeners to believe in their ability to create a more just and peaceful world. Beyond her music, Smith has consistently spoken out for human rights, environmental justice, and nonviolence, proving that art can be both a protest and a prayer for peace.

Aurora Aksnes,  as AURORA, is a Norwegian singer-songwriter whose artistry and activism intertwine to promote peace, environmental stewardship, and social justice. Her music often addresses pressing global issues; her song The Seed draws inspiration from a Native American proverb to highlight environmental degradation, emphasizing the urgency of protecting nature . Beyond her lyrics, AURORA actively participates in initiatives like the Sounds Right campaign, where she shares streaming royalties with nature conservation efforts, recognizing the environment's contribution to her art . She has also performed at significant events such as the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, using her platform to advocate for global harmony. AURORA's dedication to LGBTQ+ rights is evident in her music and public statements, notably in her song Queendom, which celebrates inclusivity and love in all forms. Through her compelling blend of music and activism, AURORA exemplifies how artists can be powerful agents of peace and change.

Herbie Hancock is a jazz musician who has wielded his craft to promote unity, intercultural dialogue, and mutual understanding. Jazz as an intuitive and universal language works to promote values of freedom, creativity and respect. As a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue since 2011, Hancock has harnessed the power of music to bridge cultural divides and foster global harmony. He conceived and launched International Jazz Day in 2012, an annual event celebrated on April 30th in over 190 countries, highlighting jazz's role in diplomacy and its capacity to unite people across diverse backgrounds.Through his leadership, International Jazz Day has become a platform for educational programs, performances, and community outreach, all aimed at using music as a tool for positive change.​ Further, he founded the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz which combines focus on jazz education and humanitarian initiatives, teaching the history and ethics of jazz to foster a more inclusive and compassionate world. Herbie Hancock's dedication to using jazz as a means to promote peace and understanding solidifies his legacy as a true peace hero.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo is a South African male Choral group that has harnessed their music as a symbol of peace and unity. Formed in the early 1960s by Joseph Shabalala, the group blends traditional Zulu music with christian gospel harmonies, promoting messages of love, harmony, and reconciliation. During the years of the apartheid, their music brought people together across racial divides offering solace from a troubling time. Their international collaborations, including work with Paul Simon on the Graceland album, helped spread South African culture and the message of peace worldwide. By using their voices to inspire unity and understanding, Ladysmith Black Mambazo has become a true peace hero.

Pete Seeger popularized progressive folk music and paved the way for artists like Joan Baez and Bob Dylan to rise to fame. He is given credit for ‘giving a soundtrack to liberation struggles’ writing songs like If I Had a Hammer and Where Have All the Flowers Gone? enticing the crowd to sing along with him. Seeger placed emphasis on the importance of working locally as well and globally as his songs promoted justice, liberty, equality and peace. Working alongside other advocates for peace such as Woodie Guthrie, Seeger promoted peace and at times sacrificed his own safety for his cause. Throughout his life Seeger never stopped playing and using his voice to unite a population and inspire change through peace.

Joni Mitchell is widely regarded as a peace hero for her enduring commitment to social justice, environmental activism, and anti-war advocacy through both her music and actions. Her 1969 song The Fiddle and the Drum is a poignant critique of American militarism during the Vietnam War, contrasting symbols of peace and war to question the nation's direction . In 1970, Mitchell played a pivotal role in launching Greenpeace by performing at the Amchitka benefit concert in Vancouver, which raised funds to protest U.S. nuclear testing in Alaska . Her environmental concerns were also evident in Big Yellow Taxi, a song that lamented ecological destruction and became an anthem for environmental awareness . Demonstrating her ongoing commitment to truth and public health, Mitchell joined Neil Young in 2022 by removing her music from Spotify to protest the platform's dissemination of COVID-19 misinformation . Through these actions, Mitchell has consistently used her artistry and influence to advocate for peace, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.

Bob Dylan is a folk, blues singer/songwriter who is renowned for his lyrics and questionable voice. His genius lay in his lyrics, and it is there that many found recognition and inspiration. While not immune to the occasional love song most of his discography resembled political statements toward the on goings in America at the time and are classified as ‘protest songs’. Some of the most well-known are: The Times They Are A-Changin', which was written right after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and addresses the upheaval in the U.S at the time. A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, written shortly before the Cuban Missile Crisis, a fear-filled time due to the threat of nuclear war. The songs meaning regarded the repeated struggles throughout history, and many then applied it to their current events. And lastly, Only a Pawn in Their Game: written after a man, Medgar Ever’s, was shot by a klu klux klan member for campaigning against segregation in education, and performed at a Civil Rights Protest, the same one Martin Luther King delivered his famous I Have a Dream speech. The political poet used his voice to inspire change and curate a strong community.