Pop Activists
Top pop people who fight for the rights...

BOB GELDOF
Sir Bob, as he is now known, speaks prominently on various important matters these days. However, it was the events of 1984/85 that really ignited his Celtic passion to get involved and help. Bob the gob decided to act after being horrified watching images of starvation victims in Ethiopia. His response? $20 million raised from the 'Do They Know It’s Christmas?' benefit single. After that there was the Live Aid concerts in London and Philadelphia which broadcast around the world to an estimated audience of 1.5 billion, and raised $100 million. Clearly, his actions spoke every bit as loud as his words.

BONO
Be it haranguing the World Bank, addressing the UN or chatting to the likes of George W Bush, Tony Blair, Bill Clinton or Nelson Mandela, Bono is a natural at the activist game. In fact, he's so good that his name's even been mentioned as a possible Irish presidential candidate. Not an real option according to the U2 frontman. "Politicians don't turn me on, politics doesn't turn me on, the way music does. I have a lot more respect for them than I used to. They work a lot harder than I thought...but I don't want to be one. I don't think I could live with the pay cut or moving to a smaller house," he said. Oh, and you can't go "whoo-oo, whoo-oo " in front of stadiums full of people.

ADAM YAUCH
This Beastie Boy formed something called the Milarepa Fund. In general terms, this is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the "promotion of universal compassion and non-violence". Specifically, this means they support the Tibetan struggle against China. Fundraising for the organisation was boosted with the star-studded Tibetan Freedom Concerts held around the world. More recent work includes the 'New Yorkers Against Violence' gigs. A rather surprising change of direction for a raucous rap chap whose band used to perform with dancing girls locked in cages.

CHUCK D
The leader and co-founder of Public Enemy, Chuck D is best known for his booming vocals, forceful personality and ability to rap about issues of race, rage and inequality. So much so, moviemaker Spike Lee called him: "One of the most politically and socially conscious artists of any generation." In fact, Chuck's opinion is so sought after he even hosts his own segment on an American news cable channel delivering his unique commentaries and analysis. He is also a strong advocate of the web as a tool for freedom of speech. Fight the power indeed!

BILLY BRAGG
No talk about pop and political activism would be complete about mentioning the bloke who has built his whole career around it. The 'Bard Of Barking', as he is otherwise known, is generally regarded as one of the most committed left-wing political performers working in pop. A bit of a character, his songs are packed with lyrics rage full of passion, anger and wit. Walking the walk as well as talking the talk, Billy is a fixture at political rallies and benefits, particularly so during the 1984 Miners Strike. He also helped create the socialist musicians' collective Red Wedge with Paul Weller. All in all, quite an effort for an ex-Army boy.