Let's Clean up the Ghetto: Philadelphia International Records and Its Campaign of Urban Revitalization

This poster analyzes Philadelphia International Records’ (PIR) socially conscious music from 1970–1977, highlighting the Let’s Clean Up the Ghetto campaign as a case study. While Motown Records often produced socially conscious songs with caution to avoid alienating mainstream audiences, PIR fostered bold Black musical resistance while achieving notable commercial success. This makes PIR an important lens for understanding how R&B and soul music functioned as both cultural expression and political activism in 1970s Philadelphia.

The label’s significance lies in its ability to sustain nearly a decade of commercially successful socially conscious music. Rather than treating socially conscious music as cautious experiments, PIR embedded activism into its organizational culture, shaping a sound that reflected the socio-political ecosystem of its namesake city. This approach positioned the label as both a commercial powerhouse and a cultural force in the Black music scene, contributing to a broader creative and political revolution.

My research draws on a combination of primary and secondary sources. Central to this project is John Jackson’s A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul, which provides insight into the label’s founders and their intentions. I also consult historical works on postwar Philadelphia, civil rights, and Black Power to contextualize the label’s activism. Newspaper interviews and articles offer valuable primary perspectives on the reception and impact of PIR’s music.

This poster addresses two guiding questions: why was Philadelphia International Records so oriented toward activism, and how was it able to make socially conscious music that was simultaneously commercially successful? I argue that the label’s activism was an intentional effort by its founders to “speak truth,” influenced by the socio-political dynamics of Philadelphia in the 1960s and 1970s. I also show how PIR’s commercial success can be linked to broader recording and production practices in the pop music industry.

Visually, I will include a picture of the “Lets Clean Up The Ghetto” album cover with some minor details about it such as its release date, recording location, and charting history. I will also include in another corner of the poster a picture of the label's founders with information on the founding of the company. This graphic will also include a short list of some of the label’s popular socially conscious songs and albums. The top of the poster will include a brief description of the socio-political context in which the city of Philadelphia was in during the 60’s and 70’s. This will be followed by a large graphic depicting pictures from the Let's Clean Up the Ghetto campaign as well as brief descriptions of the historical details of the campaign. Lastly, given that there is sufficient space, I hope to have a QR code with a link to a playlist of the “Lets Clean Up The Ghetto” album as well as other Philadelphia International Records music.