As GenX, Xennial, whatever we’re called these days, I miss this guy. I have to remind myself, 40s and 50s isn’t dead, yet.
Bite the Hand that Feeds comes to mind. Reznor refused to perform it at an awards show during the Gulf War because they wouldn’t let him display a giant head shot of George W. Bush during. Then there’s Bowie. Reznor was “Johnny” in the “I’m Afraid of Americans” video.
We also had Rage. What music is being produced now, rock side, that’s worth a damn?
Killer Mike is your textbook definition libertarian. He’s capitalist af with specific interest in specific progressive policies that he is personally invested in. Especially if those interest align with his brand image.
He’s was rahrah Bernie until it wasn’t making him any money.
And while they’re not current, I recently discovered a late 90’s early-aughts rap group called The Coup that was basically writing the soundtrack for everything happening now (which just goes to show that these issues have been with is for a long time).
A few notable tracks that spring to mind:
Kill My Landlord
5 million ways to kill a CEO
and while the title doesn’t express it, the anti-billionaire track Pinps is as fucking hilarious as it is biting. These guys were clowning Trump back when he was just a simple civilian bigoted moron rapist.
Can’t believe I didn’t hear about this group back in the day, they’re one of my favorite discoveries in recent memory.
Busdriver and a bunch of his collaborators rap about similar stuff. Lots of anti rich rapper lyrics too. Indie rap has been a great fill in for the lack of RATM over the last 20 years.
Boots Riley from The Coup and Tom Morello from RATM teamed up for a minute and put out the project Street Sweeper Social Club which has some bangers.
Also the best indie political hip hop that’s come out lately is hands down from Infinity Knives and Brian Ennals. Their album A City Drowned in God’s Black Tears was my favorite album from last year.
It’s all underground and decentralized into its own communities. Takes a good amount of digging but its not like say the 70s-early 00s where smaller to medium sized labels were taking risks and funding all kinds of music that allowed for bands like NIN and Rage to hit the stratosphere. With all the M&A and industry contraction, risk taking is severely discouraged. Hence, the generic slop seen in the surface today.
Parquet Courts, IDLES, Mannequin Pussy, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, black midi (recent rip), Kneecap, Turnstile, shame, Squid, Dry Cleaning, Yard Act, SPRINTS, Amyl & the Sniffers, so many more, the list goes on and on!
The entire Year Zero album was Trent’s revive of what would become MAGA. Unfortunately, the only solution for the problem in his album was aliens killing everyone.
As GenX, Xennial, whatever we’re called these days, I miss this guy. I have to remind myself, 40s and 50s isn’t dead, yet.
Bite the Hand that Feeds comes to mind. Reznor refused to perform it at an awards show during the Gulf War because they wouldn’t let him display a giant head shot of George W. Bush during. Then there’s Bowie. Reznor was “Johnny” in the “I’m Afraid of Americans” video.
We also had Rage. What music is being produced now, rock side, that’s worth a damn?
Check out run the jewels. Corporate avenger was good but didn’t last very long. A lot of Slipknot is in the same vein.
RTJ make songs for Turbo Tax now. Sold out fucks.
Well, that’s disappointing.
Killer Mike is your textbook definition libertarian. He’s capitalist af with specific interest in specific progressive policies that he is personally invested in. Especially if those interest align with his brand image. He’s was rahrah Bernie until it wasn’t making him any money.
RTJ3 still my favorite though
Run the Jewels has collaborated with Zach De la Rocha and Nobody Speak with DJ Shadow is an anthem.
Viagra Boys has some catchy antifascist lyrics.
I kinda like the Idles’ album Tangk. It more rock and makes some good points, mainly to “fuck the king”
The Nobody Speak video is so good!
And while they’re not current, I recently discovered a late 90’s early-aughts rap group called The Coup that was basically writing the soundtrack for everything happening now (which just goes to show that these issues have been with is for a long time).
A few notable tracks that spring to mind:
Can’t believe I didn’t hear about this group back in the day, they’re one of my favorite discoveries in recent memory.
Oh man I forgot about them.
Busdriver and a bunch of his collaborators rap about similar stuff. Lots of anti rich rapper lyrics too. Indie rap has been a great fill in for the lack of RATM over the last 20 years.
Boots Riley from The Coup and Tom Morello from RATM teamed up for a minute and put out the project Street Sweeper Social Club which has some bangers. Also the best indie political hip hop that’s come out lately is hands down from Infinity Knives and Brian Ennals. Their album A City Drowned in God’s Black Tears was my favorite album from last year.
El-P collabed with Trent on Flyentology.
Fuck I’m old now aren’t I?
Proceeds to crank Thot Squad to feel young.
I saw Viagra Boys open for Queens of the Stone Age. What are their freedom oriented songs?
It’s all underground and decentralized into its own communities. Takes a good amount of digging but its not like say the 70s-early 00s where smaller to medium sized labels were taking risks and funding all kinds of music that allowed for bands like NIN and Rage to hit the stratosphere. With all the M&A and industry contraction, risk taking is severely discouraged. Hence, the generic slop seen in the surface today.
Check out Rise Against. Very much a “fuck the establishment” band.
Parquet Courts, IDLES, Mannequin Pussy, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, black midi (recent rip), Kneecap, Turnstile, shame, Squid, Dry Cleaning, Yard Act, SPRINTS, Amyl & the Sniffers, so many more, the list goes on and on!
Echoing good bands: IDLES, Grandson, Turnstile, Dropkick Murphys are still putting out stuff, St. Vincent, High Vis, Knocked Loose
The entire Year Zero album was Trent’s revive of what would become MAGA. Unfortunately, the only solution for the problem in his album was aliens killing everyone.
It’s still a great album and very relevant today.
Seriously prophetic. The ARG for the album’s release was such a mind blowing experience.
Also Art.Is.Resistance. felt like what was prescriptive for the situation.
There was also SoaD and their singer Serj Tankian, who went solo. Their songs are still fucking dead on.