Rarely do musicians hold their voice on anything. So it should come as no surprise that the music industry is making sure that everyone at least 18 years of age make their way to local polling stations to vote.

It is nothing new for the music world to affect an election, with several songs devoted to events going on at the time.

"The first time period I can think of that really awakened the public to issues going on around them was the Vietnam era," said Cherokee County resident Jessica Briggs. "Songs during that time really hit on what a lot of people were feeling."

Songs like "War" by Edwin Star and Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On?" gained worldwide acclaim for voicing their opinion against the Vietnam War.

However, some believe the music that once made its voice heard in the public arena has devolved into an industry high on sex and violence, and low on taste.

"People listen to music more than they read newspapers or magazines," said York County resident Terril Drakeford. "If sex, guns and money is all they hear, of course that's what they will start to believe and their actions will follow."

But with this year being an election year, voices used for such negativity are now pushing millions — especially those 18 to 29 years of age — to vote.

Bad Boy Entertainment President and CEO Sean "P. Diddy" Combs' "Vote or Die" campaign along with those from other entities like MTV and BET, have targeted the 18- to 29-year old voting bloc in recent years.

Their efforts pushed more than 21 million in the age demographic to the polls in 2004, and Briggs believes there will be more this year.

Artists have done their own lobbying for candidates in this election year, with the Black Eyed Peas' Will. I. am, Bruce Springsteen and others endorsing Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Republican nominee John McCain has also seen his share of support from heavyweights in the music industry, being backed by Burt Bacharach, singer Heidi Montag, and Latin music sensation Daddy Yankee.

"Them getting involved has helped push their fans to register to vote," Drakeford said. "It's really a good thing."