Texas Musicians Blast Fascism and Injustice in New Songs

From punk to hip-hop, artists in the Lone Star State are using music to fight for change.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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In the world of music, there exists a seemingly endless potential for joy, for creating authentic community, for educating, and for emotional catharsis. This article highlights 10 recent songs by Texas artists that use music to fight for justice, raise awareness, and give spiritual sustenance to mass movements. The list includes tracks from bands like Las Hijas de la Madre, Mexstep with Principe Q, Croy and the Boys, Buttercup, The Guilliotinas, Grupo Frackaso, The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, Frontera Bugalú, Xicano Vega, and King Kyle Lee.

Why it matters

Music has long been a powerful tool for social and political change, from the civil rights movement to anti-war protests. These Texas artists are continuing that tradition, using their art to decry fascism, racism, environmental destruction, and other forms of oppression. Their music serves as a rallying cry for the resistance, providing both inspiration and education to listeners.

The details

The article covers a diverse range of musical styles, from punk and hip-hop to experimental and Latin-fusion. Each artist tackles important issues through their lyrics, whether it's Las Hijas de la Madre's feminist punk, Mexstep's class struggle anthems, or King Kyle Lee's direct takedown of Donald Trump. The songs blend political commentary with catchy melodies and rhythms, making them both thought-provoking and danceable.

  • The songs were released between 2021 and 2026.

The players

Las Hijas de la Madre

A Latinx feminist punk band led by poet, teacher, performance artist, and activist Amalia Ortiz.

Mexstep

The stage name of Marco Cervantes, a University of Texas San Antonio professor and critical consciousness-raising emcee.

Croy and the Boys

An Austin alt-country band known for their politically charged songs.

Buttercup

A long-beloved indie rock band from San Antonio.

The Guilliotinas

A feminist punk band formed in protest of the military industrial complex, based in San Antonio.

Grupo Frackaso

A band known for bringing a furious punk energy to cumbia and other Latin music varieties.

The Grasshopper Lies Heavy

A San Antonio outfit that creates music ranging from punishing kinetic sludge to artful metal and experimental synth worship.

Frontera Bugalú

A Latin-fusion band that celebrates and remembers the culture of the US-Mexico border region.

Xicano Vega

A rapper from Houston who often delves into Mexican American history and activism in his music.

King Kyle Lee

A San Antonio rapper known for his anti-bullying efforts and politically charged songs.

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What they’re saying

“This land was Mexican once / indigenous always / and it will be again.”

— Amalia Ortiz, Vocalist, Las Hijas de la Madre

“We must focus on what matters / we must check what's in our hearts.”

— Erik Sanden, Vocalist, Buttercup

“Break the little rules right now so you've got the gumption to break the big ones when it counts.”

— Jules Vaquera, Vocalist, The Guilliotinas

“This situation has been going on for years / they don't respect work or dedication / they want everything done perfectly for their vacation.”

— Frontera Bugalú

“Let's start reflecting / revive, indigenize, and start respecting / pass down our history through oral tradition.”

— Xicano Vega, Rapper

What’s next

The article encourages readers to send in their own recommendations for recent Texas protest music, which the publication plans to explore in a future follow-up piece.

The takeaway

These Texas artists are using their music to fight against fascism, racism, environmental destruction, and other forms of oppression. Their songs serve as powerful rallying cries for the resistance, blending political commentary with catchy melodies and rhythms to inspire and educate listeners.