This Friday's playlist gathers voices from across generations and genres to tell timeless stories of hardship. From the Dust Bowl ballads of Woody Guthrie, whose plainspoken songs gave voice to the displaced and downtrodden, to searing hip-hop narratives from artists like Ghostface Killah and 2Pac, who chronicled the struggles of urban poverty, these tracks capture the many faces of financial hardship. Country legends like Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn reflect on humble beginnings, while soul and funk icons like Baby Huey and 24-Carat Black lay bare the toll of economic inequality. Together, these songs form a powerful, empathetic journey through the tough times — but also through the strength, survival, and sometimes even the sly humor that emerge in their wake.
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