Last spring, the Black Joy Project erupted on social media. A hashtag and social media campaign created by NYC writer and Black Lives Matter organizer Kleaver Cruz, the project created a space focused entirely on the happiness of people of color, something that’s crucial but often left out of conversations about race and identity. Spaces of joy for POC and spaces where the role of white people is to listen and learn from varied perspectives are few and far between, and our need for them is, and has been, dire—especially in pop culture. Aminé, Portland’s viral hip-hop sensation, has turned his joyful, infectious music into a political statement. During his performance of his bubbly hit “Caroline” on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Aminé condemned the election of Donald Trump and thusly, the country’s admission of bigotry. This groundbreaking moment exhibited the power and fluidity of protest music—not only is Aminé finding traditional music industry success with a high-profile record deal, millions of streams, and affirmation from pros like Kaytranada and Miguel, he’s catalyzed those achievements into social activism with sunny hip-hop that refuses to be eclipsed by prejudice. EMMA BURKE