Gen Z Rapper FIRST time SEEING Living Colour - Cult Of Personality! This is wild...

[@infinitygirlak]

It’s a warning against demagogue, plain and simple. Don’t let a powerful personality sway you to a viewpoint you’d not otherwise hold.

[@Mainecoonlady.]

And you just described where we live today. It’s a prophecy.

[@JoeMama-bk7rd]

That's right, Trump 2024

[@module79l28]

The kid was over-thinking it, the song title says exactly what the song is about.

[@joebauers8031]

@@JoeMama-bk7rd Trump is literally the most perfect example of this. YOU are in a cult of personality RIGHT NOW.

[@JoeMama-bk7rd]

@@joebauers8031 no, your exactly what this song is about. Just following the others

[@simpleiowan3123]

NOT a "Black Anthem" song -- it's strictly about political power over the masses causing madness.

[@vickiroman189]

So appropriate today.

[@mr.durden6401]

The song is about THINKING FOR YOURSELF. DONT BE PART OF THE CULT. See past the stars in your eyes and THINK.

[@gerardmorris5473]

Vernon Reid is one of the more underrated guitar players of his era!!

[@justinlicciardi4505]

Word to that no ?

[@justinlicciardi4505]

Why does the Young generation always go to being victimized first why is it so cool to be a victim of something instead of you know someone that is powerful and cannot be made a victim it's very weird

[@TobyDoak-us8pi]

Why is Vernon Reid never mentioned in the guitar greats conversation? IDK, but IMO he should be.

[@randywissler9923]

Same with Will Calhoun!! Dude just straight slaps the drums!!!

[@eriklarson9137]

@@TobyDoak-us8pi Vernon loses credibility with many when he cannot play his own solos. Just is what it is.

[@bryanparker2925]

I applaud you for being a great dad. You have some dads that would have shut their child out, told them to leave. You brought her in. Thank you for being a good dad.

[@TexasMagnolia]

From his first impression….Does he know the History of the Leaders?! In the 90’s, the Public School system dropped teaching History to focus on students passing State mandated testing to determine the funds school districts would receive.

[@Evl_1]

Agreed. I asked my 20 year old and 16 year old cousin if they had heard of Wyatt Earp was. Thy asked what TB was and I said it was called Consumption and Doc Holiday died from it. They had no clue who any of them where. BArley knew anything about WWII which my Grandfather was captured outside of Normandy and spent 10 month in a German POW camp. YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD KNOW or at least want to learn. But watching videos on the phone is more important.

[@eriklarson9137]

@@Evl_1 Why didn't you teach them 10 years ago? If you think it's important then the last folks you want teaching it is a public school teacher. Have you met them?

[@joegillam1497]

I know the guitarist Vernon Reid used to get a lot of kudos (and rightly so), but Corey Glover is a massively underrated singer.

[@joeday4293]

Imagine being a 16-year-old white boy rock fan when this song came out. Imagine how the sound, and especially the faces of the people making that sound, would blow you away. Imagine being at the impressionable age where you are forming your worldview, when these brutally honest lyrics land on your head like a ton of bricks. Then imagine rocking out to this song thousands and thousands of times over the next several decades. Then imagine coming back across this song in your 50s, rereading the lyrics closely, and realizing that they are more timely than ever, and that you were ahead of the curve by knowing this song back then. That's me in both instances. I got to see Living Colour live in 1991 as a freshman at the University of Alabama, where they played Foster Auditorium. Does the name of that venue ring a bell? Probably not, but the name of a historical event that took place there probably does: does "The Stand In The Schoolhouse Door" ring a bell? Yes, I saw Living Colour, an all-black heavy rock band, tear the roof off the same building where segregationist governor George Wallace had barred black students from enrolling less than 30 years before. And let me tell you something, there was not one person in attendance at that concert, of any color, who missed the significance and symbolism of that show.

[@cheriremily9360]

Wow! That still hits hard 😞

[@rebelleparrish4937]

Goosebumps!

[@marydlutes1792]

Amen Brother.

[@Ecosse57]

man your daughter is a blessing.

[@Glock007-os8xn]

Cult of personality which speaks to the unwavering power some leaders have over their followers, a power sometimes based more on charisma than the actual impact or effect that any of their deeds might cause.

[@gregkatz5411]

Great song, great reaction! You have an adorable daughter BP, way to include her in the show 👏🏻

[@chrisb7528]

Do more of these. It shows how the younger generation's first thoughts were cultural appropriation, the white man holding the brother down and victimhood but that's what mainstream media, Hollywood and the educational system teaches them.

[@Steven-em5if]

Exactly what I thought this is about government control.

[@detredwings21]

Reid said, "The whole idea was to move past the duality of: That's a good person and that's a bad person. What do the good and the bad have in common? Is there something that unites Gandhi and Mussolini? Why are they who they are? And part of it is charisma

[@marcgarcia288]

Add Vernon Reid (lead guitarist, Living Colour) to your list of greatest guitarist ever. Always love watching someone's first reaction to this song specifically. Great band! While you're at it, check out Gary Clark Jr - Bright Lights and When My Train Pulls In. Maybe the best guitarist today.

[@traveldoc1234]

I was fortunate enough to see a very young Gary Clark Jr. open for an old bluesman in Austin. A small famous place, no one knew him. I thought he was really good and thought he was related to the older man, WC Clark.but not.

[@kenharness1417]

And a shout out to the rhythm section. As a rhythm guitarist I know how hard it is to stay in pocket when the lead guitarist is really going nuts.

[@cindydriscoll1796]

I believe he was 66 out of top 100 ever. I do believe he ranks so much higher. He is the neil Peart of guitar❤❤❤

[@carol-mariefleming8689]

ABSOLUTELY AGREE! VERNON IS UNDERRATED...

[@elbruces]

It's about our tendency to put leaders up on a pedestal and basically worship them, agreeing with whatever they say to control us, no matter whether it makes sense or not, instead of listening to what they say and then deciding whether you agree or not based on your own logical reasoning. They might go down in long-term history as heroes or villains, but really they're just people and we should remember that. That phrase, "cult of personality," had been around for a long time even before this song came out.

[@Son-of-Wendu]

That Guitar solo gives me "Chills"

[@deborahcurry1014]

The fantastic lead singer Corey Glover is in the (Vietnam war)movie Platoon. Great movie!

[@michaellarusch4317]

The most important thing about interpretation, whether it's a song or a book or anything, is to consider what the author intended. The author had a specific purpose in writing it. These things can make you feel a number of different ways but the interpretation is what the author intended. It's really easy to import today's views and ideologies into songs when they're not there....

[@Liz-cmc313]

Loved this then and still do,on my playlist. They rock out. Their message still stands today.

[@paulpennell2115]

I think its about how we revere Music, sports, and political superstars

[@ajiscool615]

I saw them open for Lenny Kravitz at a The Cannery in Nashville around 1990. Incredible concert!!! I got stuck in my one and only “mosh pit experience” that night. I literally levitated in the crowd. Scared the crapola out of me! ☮️🎶✝️ Keep on Rocking!

[@Cchan53]

Oh daughter is soo cute ,she just wants to be with Daddy...

[@IRuinEvrything]

Glover literally spends the entire song listing leaders/influencers by the cult of personality. They make you like them. Then you let them make your decisions tell you what to think.

[@Steven-em5if]

I just helped my youngest daughter get to college. It goes so fast cherish her!

[@Lovegun-w4s]

This is why we shouldn't wipe out history, people need to understand about people in power 🫤🫤🫤

[@guyforlogos]

That is exactly why certain political leaders push to NOT teach history, they want a populace of ignorant people to do their bidding. That’s why it’s important to keep statues and monuments to historic events and people, so we learn and understand what happened before our generations.

[@pmv1969]

I think a very telling lyric is when he says “I’ll tell you 1 and 1 makes 3”. It sounds like blind devotion to someone and it can be good or bad.

[@James-qw7cr]

The most powerful image is while all is going on , the little girl sitting in front of the tv absorbing it all and slowing being programmed by what’s she’s seeing

[@timothyweston3601]

But then she shakes her head no and switches off the TV at the end.

[@JaquelineGoodspeed]

Yeah stop watching the news. Told us back then.

[@nicci4724]

Oh she is adorable! In the middle of all the explaining of a very difficult subject, here comes cuteness.

[@johnmaltbie377]

It’s about idolatry. Don’t let personalities become your God(s) Don’t follow blindly! Ask questions! Demand answers! Hold feet to the fire! Never, ever play team sports! That’s how they control you, us against them, Tribalism. Be independent! Think for yourself!

[@mjsplicer78]

almost criminally underrated band, a shame they got lost ( or were buried) during this time frame. A great song, a great message to think about what people are telling you. Leaders, media, teachers etc. can all have an agenda to get you to see their point of view as the correct one. It's a warning that if you stop thinking about things for yourself, if you fail to look back at histories atrocities AND achievements, and let others dictate your thought progression, then change cannot happen and history repeats itself.

[@christopherderoy3153]

Whaaaat WHAT!!!! Your original reaction to this was phenomenal. Can’t wait to see what the youth thinks

[@tomherd34]

This song is about politics today! Forget about our policies just vote for the optics

[@ZacCostilla]

Some powerful imagery that harkens back to GenX & Boomers - “When the mirror speaks, the reflection lies” goes back to Snow White’s “Mirror, mirror on the wall…”, driving the queen, Maleficent, to attack a our princess she perceives as a threat - “Like Moussolini and Kennedy” - Two leaders that rose up in a generational push for a new direction, only to become corrupt themselves, playing on their popularity and banking on it for protection - “I’m the smiling face on your TV” - People trusted the media since the earliest days of newspapers, with radio and TV broadcasters fighting for the label of trustworthiness. - “When a leader speaks, that leader dies” - The ‘machine’ will not let anyone buck the system without a fight. The video showed MLK as this lyric was sung The emphasis is on CULT… Once the ideas become a brand, then the corrupt machine will do everything to suck them in, and corrupt them, or join them and co-opt the brand to make it serve them instead of serving the ideals. This is why politicians will espouse ideas that they never previously believed in so they can run for a higher office than what they currently hold, because it’s the only way to get funding for their campaigns.

[@topographic1973ify]

I have this album. This is a great song. I heard a lot of comments about how surprised people were when this came out because these guys were black. It was a different world back then.

[@S0CD0C]

It's not about the system directly. It's the figures they put in front of us to convince us to go along with their madness.

[@thunderch1ck3en]

This was one of my favorite songs growing up, and I always stop and listen if its playing.

[@reginairvine3919]

Absolute Power, Corrupts Absolutely. Be wary of demagogues.

[@ritchmoore1442]

Always loved this song, but on a side note, I have the utmost respect for you as a father BP. Loved that you let your daughter in and gave her your time. ❤

[@legba11]

Saw these guys a year ago. They are still together and still CRUSH. It was weird to see a bunch of black guys tear up heavy metal when I was in my teens. It is amazing to see old black guys STILL tear up the stage in the 60's.

[@Mr05Chuck]

“Strength in Joy” was a slogan used by Hitler. You can’t make this stuff up. History repeats itself.

[@sarad2376]

Indeed!

[@opencarrier8607]

Also the ChiComs Sprout song.

[@blakerh]

Yep, Kamel Toe is so joyful! And the VP candidate has been to China 30 times! Commie.

[@bryanparker2925]

Sevendust “Denial”. Another one

[@sarad2376]

I saw them live in New Britain, CT, when MTV was taping them for a live concert. They were great live!

[@Gantzz321]

A "cult of personality" is when a political or religious leader is exalted, allowing that person to lead with unquestioned authority. This leader is often charismatic and authoritarian; examples include Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, and Kim Jong-Un. They're dangerous because they can get away with anything; they can tell their people that one and one makes three, and will be believed (or at least acquiesced). In this song, it's US president Ronald Reagan with the cult of personality. He was in his last year in office in 1988 when the song was released. (today its TRUMP, 1+1 makes Orange)

[@jwayne7400]

You're halfway correct.

[@V.is.for.Vae.Victus]

Today's cult of personality is the Democrat Party, bolstered by the main stream media. Endless lies, adopted wholesale and unquestioned by the sheeple.

[@EnigmaSolved]

that's the most genuine reaction I've seen for this song!!!!

[@iscariom]

This song is really dope. I used to be in a band that played this song. The solos are wicked. I heard they got back together recently for a show. The solos in this song are completely improvised, btw. They play them different every time. There's no set music for it either. The sheet music just says "loco" 4:42 Sevendust, Bad Brains, early Faith No More, Death, Thin Lizzy and Love Crush all have black singers. Great bands too. Edit: 8:16 It's about the government having too much control and when someone steps up to take that control away from the government, that person mysteriously gets assassinated and nobody ever seems to know whodunnit.

[@jasonremy1627]

Vernon Reid is a beast of a guitar player.

[@Jane-d4w]

Warning against becoming a sheep 🐑. Especially valid now. Think for yourself and find the real truth.

[@MrXstacey]

Always loved Vernon’s guitar paint job, had a bro with a truck that would go to shows each year with a different paint colour. One year he made his truck look kinda like his guitar, before Vernon, but same effect, sanding thru decades of paint.

[@yves78]

Thank you for showing this young man what’s up. It’s not always “oppression” in the way most people think now. Manipulation exists every which way and sometimes for the good in a way. Btw, I met the guitarist, Vernon Reid, a true gentleman.

[@chelseahaley8350]

Great song to introduce to the younger generation!! Love it when Gabe makes an appearance! And Alynia too! She's so stinkin cute!

[@lauragamello560]

Nice one. HUGE fan of these guys and got to meet them once. They were playing in a very small venue in the town I lived and they were amazing. After the show, they just kind of hung out around the bar and they asked my boyfriend and I if there was a place for breakfast nearby. They actually invited us to go along, but we had to get back for the babysitter. Lol. We pointed them in the direction of Denny’s.

[@andyjackson304]

I saw them in 1989 at Clemson Memorial Stadium. They were the opening act for The Rolling Stones Stadium concert tour. I was 15 and went with sister and brother in law. Clemson, at the time held 60,000 people for concerts and when Living Colour came out to open, the stadium was full. I've been to many concerts since and this is the only time I can remember the opening act playing to a full house. Their set was 1 hr, and damn did they absolutely tear the place down. They absolutely outshined The Stones. "Cult of Personality" was the first single released off their debut album "Vivid" which I highly recommend as a must have for anyone who loves music. Every song on the album is great.

[@angelaolson2025]

❤ 😊 Great song! 👍 The leaders wbo cared about all us, not themselves!

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

As soon is Malcolm started preaching white n black UNITY..BLAM

[@brianmentzel2637]

It crushes my heart (tears)(in a good way) that love your daughter so much

[@HEIDIBrayInMaine]

IN LIVING COLOUR WAS AMAZING ... LOVED THESE GUYS SO MUCH

[@EoE75]

This song is still on my playlists. F*cking amazing

[@randomperson6433]

I was a kid when this came out, and rocked out to it, but as an adult it hits different.

[@kylesummers1565]

I take the song as "don't worship people". Everyone is going to try to sway you (often illicitly) ...You be You. Peace, Love!!

[@JorKal4]

These guys EXPLODED onto MTV in 88-89. (my freshman year in college) They opened for The Rolling Stones in ‘89. They were one of the headliners on the first Lollapalooza tour in ‘91. Such an appropriate message in these times. One of my personal Top 10 songs or all time.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

“We gon get HIGHHHH…”

[@matthewdooley7855]

This song rocks so hard. It's got a message, but it's still a jam.

[@markcontreras-o6h]

Wow!! He doesn't know what or who Mussolini, Kennedy, King, Gandhi are or look like. Thank you Black Pegasus for schooling this youngster and explaining 1 + 1 = 2 not 3.

[@randyrocket4546]

green jelly - the three little pigs and the big bad wolf

[@rainerader1182]

It’s about people falling into a cult of personality which you can see in multiple countries. At the time, Reagan was president, and fascism in the world was growing as it is now. This is all history

[@jaakpotts]

This song was such a game changer when it was released! They should have been bigger than they were in The States, but I’m glad the younger generations can appreciate them too.

[@mycuratedlife9072]

Trump and his followers would be the perfect example of a Cult of Personality today. It's not about appropriating anyone's culture.

[@mjbull5156]

Yes, but so was Obama.

[@MidwesternCornbilly]

I just saw them for the first time this past August 8th. They still rock as hard as ever. They may be older but they haven't slowed down....too much.

[@Max_Flashheart]

As a 55 old white boy from New Zealand when it came out I loved and I mean loved Living Colour (they even spelt Colour correctly lol)

[@jamesgilman6860]

When this song came out Mick Jagger heard it and asked them to open for the Rolling Stones on the tour.

[@swcoder]

They're still around, opened for Extreme here back in March. Still sound great.

[@martinking4181]

'Love rears it's ugly head" gotta be next :)

[@NickiDDs]

I saw them live last year and they were great! Sevendust is a great rock/metal band with a black singer. Skindred is an incredibly unique heavy rock/reggae band. Def worth a listen

[@meboy76]

love the guitar solo always hes going off there rocking hard love it yes . and the drummer hitting perfect with end guitar solo love it

[@charlessmith31]

Other “Black” Rock artists include Bad Brains, Fishbone, and the lead singer of Sevendust,. A couple of lesser known bands, Follow For Now, and Female Lead guitarist for Tetrach

[@berniewatts5028]

She didn’t care if daddy was recording, so precious BP , I love my family that’s what life is all about. And we have good music and creator’s to entertain us. 👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️👵🏼 Gmaw

[@JaquelineGoodspeed]

Love this song. Sooooo powerful. We loved this group. So glad they came on the scene dropping suggests of awareness.

[@lisaforet9911]

Hey Rob, a song to listen to by Living Colour is "open letter to a landlord" . It is a song that is personal to me and alot of others because this happen to the hood that grew up in. It will give you chills to feel the music and lyrics vicariously. Thanks

[@denisem8356]

Yay! Love this song!

[@seaprincesshnb]

This was such a banger. I loved this song so much.

[@jcnunny]

Perfect review for the times. Love your friend's take - he was on it. Your daughter is adorable. Your channel brings me so much joy. Thank you!

[@willscott445]

You really need to check out SKINDRED for a black fronted rock band, Gimme that Boom, That's my Jam or Kill the Power all will blow you away.... Living Colour still touring by the way, they played Glasgow Scotland a couple of weeks ago and still as hard hitting as back in the 80's ! ROCK ON!

[@sarahnerhus5090]

Nice reaction! It looks like you have a Tea Salon party to attend. 😊

[@smn1085]

the boys are back in town what a good song

[@memyself4ever1]

One of their later songs is titled "Ignorance Is Bliss" LOL!

[@jonathancapps1103]

"I feel like they had to inspire RATM." Maybe. I was thinking this was contemporary with RATM, but it looks like Living Colour is a much older band than I'd realized. "Cult of Personality" was released 3yrs before RATM formed, according to Wikipedia.

[@cnut5475]

There were a few before, but at the time this band hit, most people in hard rock and metal only knew of 1 all black band. It might be worth running down the history rabbit hole with Bad Brains!

[@chrisstone4648]

Seen them 3 times live in the UK, cool band.

[@randybaker6042]

There are some of us for whom this was one of our main bands. I saw them every time they came through Dallas/Ft. Worth from 88 to 93 (I moved to a smaller market). This isn't the only great song. As far as Black rockers go, King's X front man Dug is also a mainstay in rock. King's X/Living Colour was one of the best live shows I've experienced. Jon Butcher was a damn good rocker. Saw him open for J Geils Band in 82.

[@sp3nds]

I bought this CD when it 1st came out. Played it for my boyfriend & he loved it. Then we saw them on MTV & my bf was surprised they were black guys. I was born in 1961 so I was there for Jimi Hendrix, Living Colour, Rage Against The Machine. It was wild to see black guys going hard bcuz they were usually seen as R&B & the new genre called Hip Hop. We thought Cult Of Personality was about government corruption & about leaders not being allowed to speak their mind without risking getting shut up permanently.

[@Fire-Spray73]

Burnin’ Vernon Reid on lead guitar!!!🔥🎸

[@TattedPappy143]

Thank you for how you schooled at the end thank you. Cute kiddo btw great father

[@Barnes466]

Anyone else remember Corey's (Lead singer) role in Platoon with Charlie Sheen? Great role and film!

[@Cchan53]

Saw them them in late 80's early 90's with Stnes..whenever this song 1st came out..

[@PatHatch]

If you haven't already, you need to check out 'Open letter to a Landlord' by Living Colour. Still holds up today.

[@justinlicciardi4505]

Homie saying don't be a follower

[@randomperson6433]

The tl:dr

[@lorcazola]

ROCK ON !

[@mattturner5750]

Those Body Glove days were different lol

[@trevalarose8155]

Tom Morello of RATM was definitely influenced by Vernon. Saw them again recently with Extreme & they're still amazing.

[@damonhines8187]

Monster riff, killer band, fantastic message that never loses its relevance and resonance. Always glad to hear this banger broadside at deceptive, disingenuous and divisive propagandists. Cheers, happiness, health and long-life to you and your lovely family. Congratulations on, and welcome again to the newest member. ✊🏼😎🎶❤️🍁❤️✨️🕊