Listen…
During the rise of the online shopping boom in the early 21st century, Amazon profited immensely by selling goods to consumers in every corner of the planet. Using predatory purchasing practices, and their de facto monopoly on internet shopping, they dominated the marketplace. Small, local businesses everywhere failed, as they could not compete with the perceived convenience and price advantage Amazon offered to consumers.
Amazon hired millions of workers world wide, often owners of these failed family businesses. Working conditions in the immense warehouses and distribution centres were questionable. During this time, many work songs were written and performed by the workers as acts of solidarity. Based in past traditions of American “work hollers” they were often performed a cappella in “call and response”.
Like the American black slaves in the 19th Century, these songs provided workers with a subversive form of expression. The singers often improvised verses to mock their corporate overseers, express frustrations, and share dreams of a better life.
