First Time Watching RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE - "Freedom"

I told my friends/co-workers that "I Write Sins, Not Tragedies" by Panic At the Disco is one of the best white boy songs I've ever heard. Now they're sending me song suggestions and I'm doing live reactions here, on the Trying White Music series lmao
This song was requested by Max on Patreon.com/robtv!

[@Van1973Auken]

Leonard Peltier is still incarcerated 30 years after this song was released.

[@LordScrambles1]

Obama denied his parole. I don't mean for this to appear as a shot across the bow. I'm farther left than Obama. It just shows where even the Democrats stand on the issue.

[@siobhan5486]

Poor guys gonna die in there. No justice

[@brandonmadsen9591]

​@@siobhan5486He's actually up for parole soon. Might be his last chance at getting free

[@236260]

There are millions of cases of injustice in this country, but yeah... this one definitely strikes a chord. They STILL could and should let him out to rejoin his people.

[@tobi7090]

As of February 6th, 2023 he has yet again filed for clemency. I would love for someone to do a FOIA request on those still-classified documents.

[@JoeyProffitt1978]

For most of us, in 1992 / 1993, this was our first introduction to Rage. This was the first single. This video was played on MTV pretty often.

[@ImAJimCornetteGuy]

Killing in the Name was the first single.

[@JoeyProffitt1978]

@ImAJimCornetteGuy According to Wikipedia Freedom was actuallythe 4th single, lol. But this is the first hit for sure. The first video most people saw. I was 15 years old in 1993 and always a big music fan. I remember.

[@gregwhitcoe5411]

I don't remember what the first single was, all I know is that when my roommate brought this CD home and started playing "Killing in the Name Of" we were like "Hollllyyyy Sh****t!"... and I've been hooked ever since!!! ❤

[@shaun.yasalonis]

To this day, every time I see my boys’ older brothers we talk about “that one time back in the day” some weekend, some unfinished basement, some dirty ass couch. They were playing beer pong blasting Rage. We were 13 feeling like kings for even being allowed to hang out 🤙🏼 Core memories

[@christopherwcazares7054]

👍

[@LordScrambles1]

If you want to learn more of the story of Pine Ridge and Indian Removal as a whole, Knowing Better has a great video on the subject. It's over 2 hours long, but it's well worth it. The story goes so much deeper than what was explained in this song, even with the commentary. I promise it's not wasted time. Rob, and everyone reading this, if you care about activism, or the themes presented in RATM's songs, at least check that one out.

[@ivanheffner2587]

Shout out to Knowing Better. He’s got a great channel that goes deep into some topics that give a lot of context to American History that is not taught in school.

[@LordScrambles1]

​@@ivanheffner2587💯 agree. I'd go further and point to a couple of specific ones that Rob would probably be more interested in, but hopefully he'll see the list after he watches the Indian Removal video and decide to give those a shot. There's a lot of his own history that he may not know about on that channel.

[@edduflema6050]

​@@LordScrambles1send it to me man

[@uncluckable6535]

Was actually about to recommend that video, as well as the others that may pertain more to him, personally. Good lookin out.

[@anthonyv6962]

Going to watch it now. Thanks

[@judywood64]

Rob, I have just discovered you, you have no idea how you touch my heart when you are discovering Rage Against the Machine, how you feel about them is incredibly honest and pure, just like they have always been! I am a Union member, an activist and have fought for fundamental human rights my whole life! As I go to a march, a rally, or an action to bring awareness, I listen to RATM to get my head in the game, one of your viewers has suggested you to listen to Take the Power Back, I would love to watch your reaction! I am a strong believer that we must All stand TOGETHER to make change in this country, and is the only way to take the power back! I have met Mary Morello, Tom’s Mother, I was able to shake her hand and thank her for her activism and for giving Tom to us! Tom has actually gone to various rally’s, and strikes to stand with Union workers, we all need to follow his example, and stand up like Rage has done for us so many times, they have set the bar very high but we can do it, like Tariq Trotter from the Roots says at the close of every Tonight Show episode “Get Involved” it’s what we need to do to Take The Power Back! Keep on listening to Rage, you’re on the right track!

[@CarlinoPellegrini]

Regarding that "chill" guitar solo. I always thought of it like this. It's like a daydream. Tom goes off all nostalgic like, day dreaming about a time that once was. When he was free. When his people were free. And it is beautiful. Then Zack come in and he's like yo, "drop that!". Like snap back to reality brother, 'cause that's just not what's up right now. And Tom returns to reality.

[@Brando-Lee3725]

That line is deep ! "set up like a deck of cards , they sending us to early graves for all the diamonds , THEY WILL USE A PAIR OF CLUBS TO BEAT THE SPADES !" Wow ! Tell it Zack !!!!

[@rickcampbell6409]

I came to say the same. I think that one goes over people's head.

[@GoneAsGoneCanBe]

This was Rage's first major hit, I remember watching this video on MTV.

[@PML78]

This is the song that got me hooked... yeah on MTV HEADBANGERS BALL 🤘🏽😎

[@Clubber-Slang]

@@PML78 I think I found it on Beavis & Butt-head, 94 had the CD.

[@JeremyOuelletteNH]

​@@Clubber-Slanglol yo word, I had the one with Sir Mix A Lot 🤘

[@Clubber-Slang]

@@JeremyOuelletteNH I actually meant Rage Against the Machine lol, but I had Beavis & Butthead CD too, "Monster Mack" is the track you're talking about.

[@nickdallas8528]

I believe this whole album was produced with all musicians and vocals at once in order to have that live sound.

[@nadograymountain20]

✊🏾 Zack a real one for this. ✊🏾

[@PML78]

DROP THAT!!!!!!!! 🤘🏽😎

[@ghostly1178]

Someone get him to listen to "Take the Power Back. " His reaction to it will be so sick.

[@snekback.]

Take the power back and darkness need to have a video 🙏

[@mr.woodliff5158]

Take the power back. So good

[@christopherwcazares7054]

And Wake Up

[@ghostly1178]

@@christopherwcazares7054 absolutely

[@bmo8272]

Fistful of steel as well

[@TyTy22_]

A good follow-up to this song would be Wake Up. Won’t get into the specifics, but it’s a great combo of focusing on a specific topic while also delivering a Rage classic

[@shaun.yasalonis]

Totally agree. Based on his other Rage reactions, Wake Up is the clear next song for Rob. Not that I log in every day to check if he did it yet.. 👀 hahah it’s coming 100%

[@TyTy22_]

@@shaun.yasalonis this was me for Down Rodeo 😂

[@shaun.yasalonis]

@@TyTy22_ No doubt! I hear that. His video on Down Rodeo is what made me certain that Wake Up has to be soon. He’s gonna lose his shit and I can’t wait 😂

[@DiabIe37]

It's set up like a deck of cards. Sending us to early graves for all the Diamonds♦️ They use a pair of Clubs ♣️ To beat the Spades ♠️ Fantastic lyricism.

[@exprezzion]

even 13 y/o 1991 privileged naive me could follow along and be led to think critically. made college classes easier to understand, approaching the movement through Zach's stories and activism and lyrics and finding out the dark matter basically indicative of that beyond the high school history for good little soldiers and nurses that we had the task of deconstructing in college and rebuilding in our lifetimes to make just and equal and free for all not just you and me. first we'd have to actually try, then we'd see.

[@boxyourbuddy]

Anger is a Gift.

[@PML78]

The outro🔥🔥🔥FREEEDOOOOOOMMMM !!!!! YEAH RIGHT 🤘🏽😎

[@Shammrock62]

Fun Fact- their studio recording for this album was also live. They played in a room surrounded by friends. Footage can be seen in Dave Grohls Documentary on Sound City

[@anthonyv6962]

There is also a new video with the producer and a young guy who talks to him and watches footage then goes off to try to recreate the sound in his bedroom studio. I'm sure you can find it.

[@MarkArandjus]

I did not know about that, dude, much thanks!

[@NZtechfreak]

Sound City is a great watch of you love music.

[@thorkawasaki16]

Morello and Springsteen- Ghost of Tom Joad … at the rock and roll hall of fame for some killer Morello Solo Action

[@NoWayBro88]

The scary thing about Rage is that their music still has relevancy today over 30 years later. Love all your videos, man. Keep it up.

[@pauldixon9947]

Yeah man, like everything they told us about has not changed one little bit. Even Leonard Peltier sitting in a cell, waiting to die. It shows how right they were but it's also depressing AF.

[@exprezzion]

and by relevancy you mean screaming saliency requiring action and priority still

[@sorensmith9873]

For education and knowledge of this particular situation, check out the book In The Spirit of Crazy Horse written by Peter Matthiessen, Eye opener as to how the FBI conducted illegal operations against AIM, illegally extradited Leonard Peltier from Canada, conducted a kangaroo court to find him guilty of killing the two FBI agents where he has been in Federal Prison since the 70s. An era in American history that is mostly forgotten even though it was barely 50 years ago

[@ShuKatashSam]

Sioux tribe of native Americans.I visited Pine Ridge reservation in 1981. Sometimes called the second Wounded Knee, 1890 was the 1st one. Most are extremely poor to this day living on the worst lands.

[@scottfischer8107]

This is what youll NEVER learn about in US History class.

[@willfromyadkinville]

and never will now! they are trying to wipe out history by getting ride of the great literature of yesterday! it should be thge opposite!!!!!

[@shaun.yasalonis]

Facts 🎯

[@robertflores8234]

The intricacies of Rage Against the Machine go far beyond the lyrics. To this day I go back and hear some Rage tracks and I’m like, “was that part there 10 years ago, 20 years ago?” lol When I first heard Rage on the radio, it was edited and thought it was a cool jam. But I was into Hip Hop/Rap mostly and barely really getting into rock music. Mind you my older brother was into heavy metal so yeah I was about 5 when I heard Metallica and Black Sabbath but frightened by the posters, at first. Then I actually saw Rage live for their Evil Empire album debut and I was hooked! I went from a little thug in the streets of L.A. to being proud of who I was. People of The Sun was a game changer for me and I actually learned more about my people through RATM than any of my schooling growing up. That line in FREEDOM, “what does the billboard say? Come and play come and play! Forget about the movement!” had so much more meaning to me way after the release of that album. And I think that’s what resonates with a lot of people from today because we as people are still being forced to play along with someone else’s games and it makes us forget about who we are or where we come from. Another song similar to that is No Shelter which is one of top 10 favorite songs. (Doing a top 5 is extremely difficult if you’re a fan boy of Rage lol) I love how you focused more on the message on this track and I know for sure if you hear it again, you’ll feel what I’m getting at. Musically, unless you have perfect pitch and 100% focus, hearing the song once is enough. But damn, the louder I play it, the more I want! 🤣 Keep up the great reactions! 👏🏽 🔥 (I’ll keep future comments shorter) lol

[@exprezzion]

Rage was definitely a singular force dragging a bit of hip-hop and alt-rock communities into a new more radical direction and showing some of the preachier more conscious music of the past you don't have to spare anything in the way of energy and sonic quality to keep it smart and impactful and morally good as a forever-made force for the better. Inspiring af. Funny we used to like listen to it to get pumped up to play high school football striving for like ivy league possibilities with eventual hedge fund managers among the real heads too. I guess we were like the boomers after all. Oops, we did it again. Let's get united and smart for once one of these days and try an idealistic leftist approach to harnessing our vast scientific, economic, technological, and logistical powers for the broad and lasting benefit of society as a whole. We could.

[@chadmorrislionsinparis]

Rage was such a sick Band! there message was spot on.

[@averagegatsby]

Lars Ulrich of Metallica said that no band has ever had 3 better albums to start their career than Rage.

[@wichitadisciple9874]

This was the song that put them on the map!! FREEDOM!!!

[@PML78]

ANGER IS A GIFT🤘🏽😎

[@ClownBaby2Win]

I hate to say it, but as a hip hop fanatic you haven’t even gotten to what may be your favorite jams. Pistol Grip Pump, Microphone Fiend, How I Could Just Kill a Man. All on the Album ‘Renegades.’ Love the channel, keep it up.

[@236260]

I have been watching you here and there for a while, and I need to become more regular. You care about the lyrics and you break them down. You care about the causes. You channel the spirit of the music. Ballin' I'm gonna hook you up on Patreon when I get my next bag.

[@HollywoodRobTV]

That’s love bro ✊🏾💯

[@raymeeluna]

Rob, gotta hear No Shelter! It's a banger for sure!

[@attackofthequasars]

I followed you because of these RATM reactions and each and every one lifts my spirit. Thank you for sharing the joy of experiencing this great band for the first time. I'm 45 and your videos bring back memories of listening to these songs when they came out and really widening my understanding of the world (I'm from Greece and back then the information we could readily get on US politics was not that much or easy). Keep them going. Can't wait for you to listen to Wake Up!

[@volatilemolotov2298]

Great reaction. Wake Up. Wake Up. Wake up!!!!

[@metikulas4]

Yes

[@tangpau93]

I've been waiting for you to hear this. Loving the channel. This was the first Rage song we all heard back in the day.

[@J0SH.0]

The whisper of "anger is a gift" into screams for freedom/screams about the lack thereof is powerful. This and people of the sun are some of my favorite RAtM songs.

[@marcocd]

Oh shit I been waiting for this one so bad!

[@PML78]

Freeeeeeeedoooooommmmm !!!!!🤘🏽😎

[@Belly_Beane]

Rage dropping the knowledge and history with every track. Keep ‘em coming!

[@KingJones4205]

Free Leonard Peltier. Still incarcerated. There’s a great book called In The Spirit of Crazy Horse talks about the incident and many of the quotes from the video came from this book

[@YouTubdotCub]

They bring spotlights to so many struggles and fights against oppression and injustice, love Rage so much for that.

[@Mike-hm5rm]

you're correct, Rages first 2 albums were recorded live in studio in front of a small group of select friends

[@rickcampbell6409]

I remember seeing this video when it came out. I was instantly a fan, and have been ever since.

[@jamesbarron5590]

This is the last song on their first album and has been mentioned already, this was most people’s first exposure to Rage Against the Machine. Zack sharing untold history. Please react to Mic Check or Maria from Rage.

[@brandonhaag9436]

If you haven't yet, you've gotta check out "People of the Sun". One of their best hooks and as powerful as anything else they've ever done.

[@hellion7514]

BULLET IN THE HEEEEEAAAAAAD

[@oak3785]

guys Guerrilla Radio is exactly what he needs when it comes RAGE energy

[@nickmoryn1117]

Final track on the first record, and what a way to go out. Keep doing your thing man, love the channel!

[@chrisfain3612]

Thank you very much for reacting to this video and analyzing it. Not enough content creators watch this video and actually interpret it. Great job!

[@knowyourenemy.]

You’re right. It sounds like a live performance because the album was recorded as a live performance. It wasn’t recorded in isolated layers where the drums are laid down, then the guitars and vocals. The producer, GGGarth Richardson said he wanted to capture the band’s raw energy. He decided it was best to record it as a concert. Friends and family were even allowed in the studio for it. 🔥

[@LT_Xander]

Let’s go!!!!

[@LT_Xander]

Still waiting on the “Wake up” reaction tho. 😁

[@dawkholiday4674]

Been waiting on this one brotha. Always pictured myself walking out to a UFC fight to this lmao

[@QanunAlShah]

Ah one of my top 5 favourite Rage songs!

[@petenieto1575]

Yes! This is the song that got me into RATM over 30 years ago.

[@howdydoo5006]

I seen you like a while ago when you first heard Rage. They caught you. Theyre awesome. Keep that feeling bro. Cause most folks who loved them for the right reasons while they were active didn't

[@citizenbrain8065]

Anarchists always advocate for indigenous populations. For all oppressed people and marginalized groups. Whether or not that is their political leaning now i am not sure. But as an anarchist myself, i can confirm this. Topics like this are pretty common in anarchist circles. We are a very well read group with an eye towards history as well. Its no surprise they wrote about this one.

[@RealDrunkenMaster]

Thanks for reacting to an awesome song and video.

[@ajbailey01]

I've been waiting on this reaction, too!!

[@NevTheDeranged]

Sagat just staring grimly at us from the background, lol.

[@blueelem7372]

Every song in this album is a masterpiece there's nobody out there now a day's that fills their album with tracks like this.

[@philflynn9161]

Great reaction ❤

[@ritagreenwood9397]

Music like this is so important, but hard to listen to without feeling something bad/angry, still to this day. Huge respect to the whole of RATM.

[@arianna2639]

And this song hits me hard being indigenous

[@Belly_Beane]

Leonard Peltier is still in fuckin prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Tom is still trying to get him freed.

[@rgalle74]

In his memoir LP admitted to participating in the shooting. He was also wanted for the attempted murder of a WI PO so…

[@EmmaBadOne]

"Anger is a gift" tag for gen x in the 90s

[@DarkAngel1985Mike]

Love this since I’m part Native and listened to this since it came out in the mid 90’s , and I was a local activist In my youth for Native rights, women’s rights,LGBTQ rights, and counter protesting when white supremacists came to Springfield Illinois

[@parasiticproductions]

I get so stoked whenever a new robtv vid drops. That being said, my man needs to check out Forward by Anaal Nathrakh. 🤘

[@Worm405]

You should watch the live performance at 99 Woodstock of this some. Zack adds a lot to it!!

[@valubaulviews]

Ft. Leavenworth, less than an hour from here. The tic tac toe is also about forgetting your name while in prison and playing tic tac toe on the walls of the cells. Voice of the Voiceless is the story of Mumia Abu Jamal, a falsely imprisoned Black Panther in Philadelphia.

[@douglasbrooks6971]

Such an awesome song.

[@tauanwerneck3197]

They took the native freedoms but gave them the "freedom" to sell themselves. Freedom?

[@MarkArandjus]

Yeah. Freedom? Yeah, right.

[@eacomedy]

I remember watching "Incident at Oglala" on campus when it came out, and this song reinforcing my understanding of those events. As a college sophomore, I was telling my Dad about the film & the injustice of Mr. Peltier's continued incarceration I love my Dad. He was like well who made that movie? What are their goals or agenda? A documentary just has facts in it but doesn't automatically equal factual reality. I was like DAD ARE YOU BEING SERIOUS RIGHT NOW? Like it doesn't take any agenda to see this as an affront to our humanity. I love my Dad. But he was wrong on this one. FREE LEONARD PELTIER!!!!!!!!!

[@petermartinez5507]

Hey my man Rob, you did a reaction to Ren Hi Ren. You should do hunger next. That dude can rap his ass off. I gotta get your take on his stuff. Rage is our favorite band and I'm telling you Ren is right up there for me so think you are going to be shocked by how different all his songs are.

[@stevecox3068]

It's a great song Rob the story behind it is ,and will always be relevant, thanks, he is locked up to this day.

[@huntercox5000]

Love the channel man I appreciate it! I think you would like the song Mother by Danzig

[@chrisburns514]

Township Rebellion is a fun one, got a real funky beat in the verses

[@DJKuroh]

One of the first songs I learned on guitar. Still bangs.

[@wheatthicks]

You said this sounds like a live performance and while this was recorded in studio they did record this album with the entire band in a single room playing together live instead of tracking their parts separately. That’s what gives it the raw, live feel. They even had a bunch of friends in the room to get the feeling of playing for an audience.

[@anthonyv6962]

The whole first album was recorded live in the studio with a small audience. They did this to capture a sound and an energy.

[@michaelshelton3910]

You need to see them perform “The Ghost Of Tom Joad”.

[@JonnyPhive]

The Whole album was recorded that way, all of them in one room with a live audience at Sound City in LA.

[@joeyo691]

Fun fact: Although RATM album cover of the guy on fire does look really cool, what’s even cooler is it’s a Buddhist monk in Saigon in 1963 who set himself on fire to protest the persecution of Buddhists in South Vietnam. Very bad ass and upon knowing that it was done in a protest by a political activist, it even more embodies what the band is all about

[@xxxxkanexx5761]

It's funny u say it sounds like it's live because if I remember correctly when they recorded this 1st album they were all in the same room and pretty much laid the whole album down like that where they just played it out as opposed to everyone recording they're shit separately. God these guys were amazing!!

[@parkerisking]

Only coming across this because you got shared on twitter by Tom motherfucking Morello (who I'm seeing in concert in June not to make you jealous). You're making me fall in love with RATM all over again. What a fuckin band.

[@Gdisele]

Rage painted themselves into a corner with their name. Their name restricts them to raging in every song. They handled it wonderfully.

[@MarcConcepcion1313]

I actually watched a video a couple of weeks ago that goes over how the producer, Garth Richardson, recorded the first album for Rage. The content creator, AudioHaze, asked the producer how he recorded the album so he can try to emulate the same raw, live-like sound using modern methods and equipment. Super awesome stuff.

[@joncreamer6372]

Been checking out your Rage reactions and loving it. Have you checked any of Zach's work with Run the Jewels...shit is fire. Also did a track with KRS-ONE called C.I.A

[@BondiBronteTama1]

Hi Rob, I was around 20 when Rage Against The Machine came out. I’m in Australia btw and only just found your clip if you reacting to “Killing In The Name Of” & it was BRILLIANT to see your reaction which we ALL had when we first heard that song. It’s one of those “life changing” or “life affirming” songs. Every particle of it you feel in every cell of your body. Your reaction took me right back there! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 I thought you might like this short of Rage playing live on the TV in England on the very proper tv channel the BBC, back in the 90’s. Somewhat reminiscent of when The Doors were asked to change the lyrics from Higher when they appeared live on an American tv show and Morrison ignored the directive. I think you’ll like this… kzbin.infoeo34LFFWNPQ?si=MKXABqsgvW7kXmVs

[@TheSeppy101]

Yo rob the full album was recorded as a live performance to capture the energy .. very little retaking 💜

[@sanikvoice]

i believe the album evil empire was recorded live, all members in 1 large room.

[@Ten2378]

Leonard Peltier will have what is probably his last parole hearing on June 10th 2024. We will be watching. Thank you RATM

[@eacomedy]

Wow that's tomorrow!!!! FREE LEONARD PELTIER!!!!!!!!

[@bifferoni14]

Anger is a gift!

[@Arielrosemusic]

Also listen to a song from Robbie Robertson called 'Sacrifice' that features Leonard Peltier talking about his story from prison.

[@petermartinez5507]

Hell yeah

[@Rcprobot]

In the 90s bands would often record like a live performance then overdub the vocals to capture that live sound

[@KyleB-fb5ec]

Love your videos, found em today and they brought a lot of the joy back from when I first started listening and decoding the lyrics bit by bit. Zach is the greatest lyricist of all time. I know the channel is about rock reactions but since you were unfamiliar with Zach you probably haven't heard his collaboration with KRS-One and the Last Emperor called CIA (Criminals In Action). It's not Rage levels of good, but you may enjoy hearing him rap in a more traditional sounding rap song. Also if you wanna see Tom Morello truly go off watch a live performance of the ghost of tom joad by Bruce Springsteen where he shows up as a special guest

[@comkver]

That's one of my favorite songs that they've covered... I'm going to check it out right now.

[@gavincassidy1377]

You did it! Fuck yeah Rob!

[@PML78]

BRING THAT SHIT IN!!!!!!!!!🤘🏽😎🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@robertpetre9378]

Tom Morello plays his guitar like it’s a turntable and makes you think he’s actually scratching

[@metler7642]

Classic album, every track is fire. Another laxxed back track is Pantera: 'We'll meet again' (Remastered)

[@reedwilson64GTO]

"Take the power back"

[@HaunterV]

Iron Maiden's Run to the hills is on this topic too.

[@Auronx3]

Rage is one of my all time favorite bands, so I don't want my next comment to take away from that... But this guys brain will melt if he does a react to TOOL. @RobTV please check them out on your next wave. :)

[@krisdelafuente887]

Gotta do ‘Wake up’! A must

[@tstauft]

Fun fact: When recording their first album, producer Rick Rubin wanted to capture the energy of their live performances, so he had them record while playing together.

[@danw2276]

thanks Rob. Thank GOD we all heard it tons of times, pausing so much in the middle through off the concept, but after they got rolling u let it ride! Thanks FREEDOM YAAAAA!!!!!! 2024

[@danielnegron2456]

One Day as a Lion. It was a side project band of Zack's. You definitely need to react the title track song.

[@SugarySerial]

another vote for "Take The Power Back" 🙏

[@boludo7721]

You need to check out Zack’s second group “One Day As a Lion” …songs Wild International/One Day as a Lion….both are fire 🔥….Keep up the good work I really enjoy your reactions.