Wednesday, July 1, 2020

IT'S ON.

Step it up rockers. You are lagging. I've mentioned this bugaboo a half dozen times here. Where are all the artists when it comes to making a musical statement against the moron occupying the White House? What the fuck does it take? How many more playings of "You Can't Always Get What You Want" at Trump rallies does there have to be before the Stones publicly denounce the use of their song? A message to Mssr Keith Richards: You're shit to me if you don't speak out. Of all the Stones I always thought of you as the no nonsense one. What the fuck?

I'm pissed, you bet. People in the public eye have an opportunity to make a difference. Maybe, like Republicans, they're staying mute so as to not upset their base. Fuck that. A line's been drawn, and you're either with Trump, or your against him. And if you're not using your voice, your visibility, you're either a Trump apologist or a coward. Or both.

Thankfully not all artists are patsies. Here's what Public Enemy did. First they recorded a new song "State Of The Union (STFU)" which pretty much goes off against Trump. They still have the fire, though the chorus by Flavor Flav gets a bit worn (as does Flav himself). They're giving it away as a "free" download. ("Free" in quotes because you have to submit your email address.) The song is an excellent effort and something I would expect from others that "care". (This just in: After bringing Bush era "American Idiot" all the way to Broadway, Green Day has avoided mentioning Trump by name on their newest record. Their stylist must have some pull.)


After releasing that, Public Enemy opened the BET awards last weekend with a video of an updated version of "Fight the Power" with a handful of younger rappers. I gotta say that watching that at the beginning of an awards show, with the backdrop of current events, was pretty damn effective.

Public Enemy did it right, highly visible and without apology. What the fuck rockers?

~ NOTE: ALL MEDIA IS HOSTED BY THE BLOGS & SITES NAMED BELOW ~
Listen/Watch:
Public Enemy (with others) - Fight the Power at YouTube From the BET Awards
Public Enemy - State Of The Union (STFU) mp3 at Public Enemy Must provide email address. I don't like that deal a bit.
Public Enemy - You're Gonna Get Yours mp3
at Acquiesce to Music
Public Enemy - Don't Believe the Hype mp3
at Polaroidallaradio (?)

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