Rage Against the Machine - Take The Power Back Reaction

[@AkaAka_AkaAka]

Best thing about rage: Their lyrics are still relevant... Saddest thing about rage: Their lyrics are still relevant.

[@Aiclassic2024]

Such a fuckin on point comment. We got eachother 💪❤💯

[@daxbruce3491]

FACTS

[@JelloWasRightAboutEverything]

This!.....

[@swabilius]

Damn, Son!

[@badh2701]

Exactly

[@MattyMattyP]

Lboyd: "What is that instrument? I've never heard it before..." Guitarists: "Oh yeah, there's only one of those in the world. We call it a Tom Morello."

[@jessicashenefield1546]

We call it a Tom Morello. Best comment!

[@nickphillips5324]

I blew someones mind by telling them the helicopter at the start of Cochise is Tom being Tom

[@lunch2102]

There is a disclaimer on the first album. "no samples, keyboards or synthesizers used in the making of this record"

[@vengancepureblood]

Straight facts

[@howardmitchell3233]

Fucking brilliant mate

[@Thinwhiteduke1185]

You- "This has got to be like 20, 30 years old?" Me- "No, no, no. It's not that old. It came out in nineteen ninety-on..... Oh... Right. Shit..."

[@Pischk77]

I feel this in my soul.

[@ElizabethLamae]

Get out of my 🧠

[@joeychapman04chapman99]

Hard to believe this guy has heard this song for the first time

[@joeychapman04chapman99]

Everyone likes this band not one person would dare to dis them... every rapper in the world loves and wants to perform with these guys..

[@enltakk3867]

My exact same reaction....

[@jill1649]

They have NEVER wavered from their message. The people who don’t like them didn’t listen to there lyrics or message in the 90s. Those of us that got it, got it and still love them to this day. LONG LIVE RAGE!!!!! We need their music now more then ever.

[@bbsal4031]

People that wouldn’t like this would be mask wearing vaccine Karen’s and the like. People that don’t believe that things are so corrupt. The ones that listen and believe the wonderful news media .

[@chrisellis4400]

Yes. They never changed their message. They were always pointing out that people who hold power will always argue that 'the people who hold power have earned power and the people who suffer under that power also deserve it'. It's just that those kids that grew up 'oppressed' by thier parents and the school system now hold positions of power and they now view the idea that they don't really deserve to hold power and that those who suffer under their power also don't deserve it as an abhorrent idea. "When you were telling me to stand up to my mum you were cool. Now that you are telling my employees to demand fair pay you have gone too far!"

[@MichaelWilliams-dp5ec]

I listened then and still listen. One of my top 5 all time favorites and should be my ultimate favorite as well as everyones.

[@turbopowergt]

The people who thought they got it didn’t realize they were the machine.

[@thehimself4056]

I remember I was in the military when they released their first album. It was banned from being sold in military installations by George bush sr. Lol.

[@antalwahlers3574]

Some guy on Twitter wrote to all people bashing RATM for being "political": "What machine did you think they were raging against? The dishwasher?"

[@Unotuchable]

I assume that these people thought that the machine was the parents/teachers telling them what to do.

[@brownrm47]

I have raged against my dishwasher many times 😁

[@travr6]

Yes but they are raging FOR the machine now.

[@alexmalex82]

😂😂😂💀

[@MrThankman360]

I may be wrong, but I seem to remember the issue not being that they are political, but rather that they are being very partisan for the party in power. Meaning, they are very much raging ON BEHALF of the machine now. That’s just me, though...

[@ruwudereader2791]

They never changed their message. Their older conservative fans, some misinterpreted their lyrics, and some never really paid attention

[@noname772fp2]

This exactly!

[@mumaac]

The message didn't change. The machine did. And they are getting complacent to it's regurgitated perversion of their message.

[@jamescutler8055]

I am a 56 year old Conservative Libertarian and Rage has always been one of my favorites. Be careful with generalizations and categorizations given to you by the leftist media. True conservative believe in individual freedom and responsibility and what less Government involvement in every aspect of life. Most Republican Politicians are not conservatives, they just believe they can big government better than dummycrats. They are wrong, they both suck.

[@ruwudereader2791]

@@jamescutler8055 By the leftist media lmao I can't even take you seriously

[@jamescutler8055]

@@ruwudereader2791 And that is why you will always be ignorant.

[@davidblomquist6953]

The people that don't like them now never realized that the songs were about the side of things they align with. Rage never changed, the people just never actually listened to/understood the lyrics.

[@ragzard]

Yes, right on! That is your answer for the 7min mark in the video.

[@darthtortugas]

This soooooo much this....

[@jasonmcconomy4911]

Absolutely. People sang the song but didnt hear the words..

[@basto1d]

The message never changed, it was written in stone. People change, and society shifted. I mean, most people are blind to slow change, they never even noticed how far right we've drifted since this song came out.

[@xbadbrainsx7601]

Hard facts

[@Majorroadworks]

I was born in the’60’s, lived through the Beatles & their antithesis, The Stones. Glam rock, Bowie was & still is my idol, but Rage hit me so hard in the face in the early ‘90’s and changed everything. Those who grew dislike them, themselves became part of ‘the machine’.

[@harperman9765]

I'm 43 and rage was our band that spoke to us and showed the light in our dark rebal youth. Rage didn't change the people did.

[@NeoMK]

46 here, same.

[@wearenotamused6455]

42 here... same. Rage got me into the search for the real American history... never looked back.

[@mystical1976]

45 here and yes, Rage was THE band at that time and place. I been to as show of them and man that was insane , ppl going crazy on their shit (me included)

[@JD_Slacker]

47 here. Agreed.

[@robertharris669]

As a 46 yo who grew up on rage and nirvana I approve this message

[@iamuncivilized]

They did not change. Most consistent band ever. If people don’t like them, they have no sense.

[@danielmennel4565]

Tom Morello's response to people claiming his music changed to be more political was to ask what songs they thought weren't about politics and he'd take those down.

[@ABLFM]

They went from the voice of the native American people, to supporting the democratic party. That is NOT the Rage that burnt the American flag at Woodstock, and also not the Rage that told them to burn Profitstock.

[@ABLFM]

@Joe Poulin Jr you are older than me! lmao! They went political and sold out. That is all there is to it!

[@ryans1623]

@Joe Poulin Jr Why wouldn't the mom let them go the the movies?

[@Esmeagolly]

@@ABLFM they were never not political, it wasn’t some teenage angst band, since the beginning they always had a political message.

[@jerolddavis]

RATM has had the most.consistent message I've ever seen. Anyone upset over a perceived change either never understood it in the first place, or don't like being on the wrong side of it.

[@antoniorodriguez5849]

exactly, some really dumb people complained they suddenly turned "political", bitch they were always political, one of the most political bands there is

[@mdm1271]

@@antoniorodriguez5849 Mostly people complain about them being hypocrites.

[@malotschino]

100% true. But I've noticed two things in the last years: there are people who never understood the message AND their are people tight now who can read but don't understand the message and misinterpreted it and thus using it for the wrong purpose. I heard RATM's music on demonstrations against harder weapon laws, against vaccination, against abortions.

[@mdm1271]

@@malotschino Isn't harder weapon laws and forced vaccination something imposed by the government aka "the machine"? Just saying! Or are you just "my body my choice" when it comes to abortion but not vaccination?

[@malotschino]

@@mdm1271 i won't go in any political discussion here, i don't think my english isn't good enough for that. also my opinion isn't of any relevance here. but RATM stated more than once what they think about the way weapons are treated in the usa and also they have a clear point when it comes to vaccination (as seen on tom morellos instagram). My point is: just because you think you are wronged by a government doesn't mean you are. carrying a gun or a deadly virus can kill people, which is also something RATM are against. if you fight for the right tu use guns and endanger other peoples health, thsn just don't use this music and those lyrics if you don't understand what he is talking about. Its not enought o use the refrain to make a point.

[@jumpjumpdiegaming]

They have never changed their message. The people who don’t like them never understood their lyrics.

[@yacine1540]

exactly, the people who don't like them never paid attention to the lyrics or anything

[@TheRedStateBlue]

but at the same time, right wingers listen to this and are so clueless they think they aren't the machine being raged against. irony's bitch, huh?

[@brandonseger5812]

Zach grew up in Irvine, CA. He used to be in a hard-core straight edge band called Inside Out. His parents are both Mexican American primarily with some African, Jewish, Irish and Germanic background. Rage came out of nowhere getting signed after only a couple of shows. They had "IT" right out of the box. Zach left Rage to try and reinvent himself. From what I remember, he worked with El-P from Def Jux and now Run the Jewels. When Rage came back, some of their core "punk rock" fans bristled at the ticket prices and marketing of their reunion shows, calling them Rage With the Machine and other not terribly creative variations. A conservative politician also came out as a Rage fan but wished that they would go back to being apolitical which was hilarious. The dude played himself and outed himself as probably never being much of a fan. The first time I saw them was in 1993 and it completely blew my mind. It was the first time that I saw a most pit with all ethnicities going off and smiling and helping each other up if they fell. It was one of the greatest shows I ever saw. Also on the bill that day was Tool, Primus and Alice in Chains. Talk about a gnarly show. This comment is likely buried and ancient, but I really enjoy your channel so thank you.

[@judolady73]

Whoa, what a lineup. Awesome comment 👍👏

[@therapist6328]

Lollapalooza '93 was one of the best days of my life.

[@MichaelHortonRocks]

I was at the ‘93 Lollapalooza in New Orleans. A day I will never forget. Also had Front 242, Dinosaur Jr., and Fishbone.

[@properwaffles]

Inside Out was the shit. God I miss straight edge shows from that era, so much fun and good energy.

[@mndflctzn]

Big Mele?

[@johnromero6315]

The lead vocalist, Zach De La Rocha was a mixed Hispanic kid in California. He's been an activist for pretty much his entire career. Also, if you question the instrument being played, its probably Tom Morello killing it with distortion effects like he's known to do.

[@ceevio_art]

lol. Most guitarists use their effects pedals to play the guitar. Tom Morello uses his guitar to play his effects pedals. Legend.

[@dougf1249]

Tom is a genius

[@734265lm]

Is this Zack dancing? kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3q9kmeCi76UkNk

[@RavenTheBlackheart]

@@ceevio_art sometimes the madlad skips pedals all together and just uses his reverb distortion from his amp to do solos XD

[@fakefakers7606]

@@ceevio_art Perfect description

[@AdventuresWithWampa]

I listened to them in the 90's, and I didn't change, I LOVED the message. The ones who hate them now never understood it to begin with.

[@Spectre-wd9dl]

To me theesaage was the abuse of power against the people. Now they support the party that abuses the people the most. Free mumia in the 90s now we tell you to vote for the people that put him in jail.

[@deykuzor]

@@Spectre-wd9dl they don't support the Democratic party, they just prefer the social-democrats over the hyper capitalist rhetoric of the Republican party. They are anti Capitalism operating within a capitalist system. Both Zach de la Rosa and Tom Morello lean Marxist Socialist heavily. So you're right, they don't like the machine abusing the people... But the Republican party in their mind is the worse example of that. Unregulated business is just as evil as oppressive anti-humanitarian laws and mandates in their mind.

[@ljshoreslokal]

@@deykuzor I'd hope you're not defending the backward ideology of Zach and Tom. They don't like the machine abusing people yet their followers of Karl Marx which led to Lenin, Stalin, Mao and Polpot types. Nothing more antihumanitarian than the teachings of Marx.

[@lucasgianoli667]

Oh I get the message, I love a lot of Zack's lyrics. The only one I honestly hate from RATM is Tom. And that's basically because of his hypocrecy

[@benjamint_0]

same

[@PorkChopXpress1701]

I’m 54 now and still love this band like I did when I first heard them in 92. Times were indeed different back then, sir.

[@polyestawyldesage504]

I cannot even begin to describe the pure pleasure I get from someone discovering Rage Against the Machine

[@TheDylls]

THIS!!! And, slightly more specifically, I love when people realize what the "Machine" is that's being "Raged Against" 🤣

[@ditsiwt]

Rage was the angry voice of my generation... People that think they have changed their message, just were not paying attention to the message in the first place... The fact that we still need their message today, is proof that people were not actually listening back in the 90s.

[@jacksmith4460]

I think they(the critics) tried to sound cool and "down with the music culture" and actually showed themselves to just be liars. Like if people hear their songs and don't notice they are political? well shit me, there are severe problems, it's literally every line of every song they have ever released. It's like saying "Alice in Chains were ok ...until they started singing about Drugs", or "Cannibal Corpse were great , until they started with the death/gore metal subject matter". It's like nah, that's just what those bands do, Cannibal Corpse ARE a death metal band and always have been Alice in Chains, pretty much every track is about Heroin addiction, and RAtM just do political tracks. Frankly anyone in the political field who HAS actually listened to Rage and actually enjoyed it and missed the political lyrics? probably should not be in/running for office, as it shows an immense lack of intelligence/comprehension

[@jak959]

Couldn't agree more!

[@jak959]

@Schobe-wan Kenobi rtj has 3 songs with Zach but otherwise totally agree.

[@NatsumiTakanawa]

It’s the same people with the boomer mentality of thinking things like “liberals are destroying the country” and think that Trump is anti-establishment. Like you said perfectly: They were never listening in the first place. RATM was always had a radical anarchist message.

[@psychologybear6846]

RATM message was always woke. The difference isn't actually the band it's the woke movement. A lot of people who loved RATM as kids now hate seeing them on the same side of issues as the establishment. When you see RATM agreeing with Walmart and you have grown older and understand why wokeness is stupid you feel disappointed.

[@mrrydogg]

I wish Rage never stopped making music. They’d could help us so much right now.

[@TheUnabeefer]

Them and Chumbawamba... When we need them more than ever.

[@archerseo]

@@TheUnabeefer guess they didn’t get back up again

[@ankaretharmer3362]

I think that the cultural back ground of RATM is Latinx or a mixture.

[@robbrobb5543]

Ummm recent views they are rage for the machine.

[@johnhamrick88]

Their message has been loud and clear since the earlier 90's and here we are far worse than the 90's so im gonna conclude people only heard the music and not the lyrics

[@alangarcia5693]

They never changed their message. A lot of people just grew up and got lost in the fog and forgot the lessons. They never got a chance to change their message because they stopped making music very early. They could have still been putting out this kind of stuff today but they had band differences on what the message itself should be.

[@owenleynes7086]

they are supposed to be doing a show in nyc in august (with zach)

[@PumpkinTuna]

Such a joy to see somebody find and get Rage for the first time. I’m a 49-year-old white dude who, like many in my generation found these guys when they were on the bill for Lollapalooza. I thought I was liberal at the time, but this really opened my eyes to some hard realities. When I went on to teach high school and found myself in front of a class of black and brown faces, the lyrics to this one were always in the back of my mind forcing me to put more literature in front of my students written by people who looked more like them. The circle of hatred continues until we react.

[@MarkJeanmougin]

You sir, are doing god's work. Keep it up!

[@richardsansford3499]

Awesomeness

[@restojon1]

Many people in this world call themselves teachers... only some truly teach

[@LastHomesteadOnTheLeft]

You still teach? You should use this song as a starting point in every first class. "Hey guys, what does all this mean? Keep it in mind as we work our way through the book. "

[@exerciseforidiots2296]

Nicely said. I had some amazing English teachers such as yourself in High School 👍

[@Nickel138]

“Europe (Your rope) ain’t my rope to swing on. Can’t learn a thing from it, yet we swing from it.” Dope line. Zach is Latino. His father was a famous muralist in SoCal, a revolutionary artist. His grandfather was a revolutionary in Mexico, who fought in the Mexican Revolution.

[@innifreeman]

Nice use of word entomology. I never noticed that before

[@michaelmeadows4883]

That line is so good, and I think the concept goes over a lot of people's heads these days. Europe is sort of seen as a morally superior place these days, but things like racism and imperialism are things adopted from our European ancestors. We still pretty much learn history from the Western/European perspective until late high school/college.

[@Nickel138]

@@michaelmeadows4883 Exactly. It’s systematic, too. Intentional or not, it’s in the way everyone is raised. Not just America, but Europe has touched every country in this way.

[@Connnor]

I'm from Europe but not responsible.

[@Nickel138]

@@Connnor Fair enough. You get a pass. 😋 Of course, some of the biggest allies in fighting systematic racism and imperialism have come from Europe. Being from America, I get the best view of its faults.

[@Zatoichi1984]

They never changed their message. But due to social media and the current political climate, they’re speaking out far more and now “fans” have realised that they’re a political band. It’s actually quite amusing if you can find some exchanges between Tom Morello (rage guitarist and Harvard political science degree holder) and these “fans”.

[@lanceurbi3687]

It's ironic to think of how many other bands through the past 50 years alone, (across several genres) were spreading a political message. Yet only certain bands are considered "radical." What does that even mean? That a difference of opinion negates a valid argument?

[@pilargonzalez8442]

Fully agree.. the vibe always stayed, it just transformed so other people could also feel it

[@Logomachus]

It's funny to think about these people. My views on their politics are a lot different now than they were when I first became obsessed with them, but anyone who thinks they should "stick to the music" was obviously never paying attention to what they were saying and doing to begin with.

[@finnulf]

The people who never realised the politics of RATM are the same chucklef@&ks who enjoy Springsteen's "Born in the USA" or "Glory Days" unironically... and those songs are oozing irony! Can't fix stupid.

[@batou1468]

i recall there was a point where this same kind of thing happened to U2 decades after they got their start. some "fans" started griping about how bono is "too political" which was hilarious considering almost everything they did was political from one of their first albums "war" to even the band name "U2" lol.

[@PowderedToastMan420]

Times were not different because Zacs words are still relevant 30 years later.

[@jbauer140]

BIG MF FACTS

[@billyhughes9776]

Times were definitely different 30 years ago, however, his lyrics are still relevant at a certain level especially pertaining to the current cultural shift happening. Peace and take care.

[@jasonfifi]

@@billyhughes9776 in the same way that no matter what language a movie about capitalism is written in, it is universal to all experiencing its' oppression at all levels, the year a certain picture of present capitalism is painted in any artform is timeless until artificial scarcity is destroyed and we take our power back.

[@markharrison7302]

More relevant now than ever👍

[@tonyclifton2172]

More than ever

[@beansnrice321]

The reason why people stopped liking rage was because some people never listen to their lyrics untill they were in their 30s. Rage never changed, just some people thought they themselves were not the machine being raged against.

[@pattonfan137]

I've been a fan for over 25 years. Their message never changed. They are as relevant as any group with political insight...Public Enemy, MC5, etc

[@munky342]

Some of Queensryche too. Not sure how many people even remember that band.

[@moriyokiri3229]

Same, I started listening to them in middle school.

[@dudeitsdietz]

The message never changed

[@markcoward2472]

I grew up listening to RATM. The fact that their music is still relevant today shows nothing has changed since they wrote the album 30 years ago...

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

I grew up listening to RATM, a few years later I discovered bands like Dead Kennedys, Discharge and lots more politically oriented bands. They're all just as relevant today as they were 30-40 years ago when the albums were written. So much for progress.

[@markcoward2472]

@@skaldlouiscyphre2453 Agreed. Go and listen to some Bill Hicks too. The messages he was getting across in his comedy are still relevant (drugs, gun control, war) too...

[@infobahnpirate9713]

@@markcoward2472 Hicks had is finger on the pulse. 👍

[@Natural_Order]

Nah they never changed their message. There are just a lot of rage “fans” who never really paid attention to their message in the first place

[@lewdvlesh]

This. There was a uproar about how Rage is being seen as political now. Rage always been political, they just dumb.

[@freeheeler00]

True story.

[@RustinChole]

Yeah I was hella confused to see this conversation begin in the press. Rage has always been extremely confrontationally anti commercial. I think the problem is that there’s no distinction between art and entertainment anymore, so people now listening to rage to be entertained are realizing “hey.....I didn’t wanna be preached to or be exposed to art from the heart, I wanted to entertained!”💁🏻‍♂️

[@amafi_poe]

I've seen so many right wing weirdos bump them just because they like yelling "fuck you I won't do what you tell me" and never actually absorbed anything they were talking about.

[@justanothernick3984]

@@lewdvlesh I think Zac split because he didn't see the band progressing enough with this message. If true, at least he stayed consistent with his beliefs and didn't cave to money or clout. That's inspiring all by itself. A bit naive to think he could change culture back then but look at it now... I think he should be proud to see the progress and not giving into material gains even when rocking hard back then. Life is more than means.

[@ianwoodbury6877]

RATM played a set right before Public Enemy at some festival back in like 1992 or 1993 and Chuck D is on record as saying he was absolutely floored by what he was hearing…had NEVER seen a crowd as electric as RATM’s crowd. That says something.

[@geobot9k]

its so sad Chuck D is letting himself get used by the state dep now

[@themooseman8410]

When this album come out in 92 there was a liner note stating that "all sounds heard on the album where made with guitars", that's how unique a guitarist Tom Morello was.

[@Drewcatmorris]

The liner nots also mention the band members as "Guilty Parties". Epic

[@spookybois2792]

RATM never changed their message. People realized that they are a political band and they don't want them to have a soapbox to stand on, just because a lot of people don't agree with their message. How could you not realize what machine they are raging against? Love your content sir, stay cool.

[@Tristan_Heberlein]

Hopefully this has been answered already, but to your question around 7:30, about criticism of them and whether or not their message has changed. First of all, their message has never changed. They have always been the voice of the voiceless and have always, through their music, interviews and activism supported the same causes, addressing racism and oppression, and the many forms they manifest in our world. The haters don't hate Rage because they have changed their message. The haters always and only essentially say one thing: that they're sellouts because they made and distributed albums through a major label. They say that because they're making money for corporations because they signed to such labels, that they have no right to speak up against such corporations and/or the economic system that they, as a band, have now benefitted from. But nobody who says that have ever been Rage fans. Real Rage fans acknowledge that if not for their decision to sign with a major label, hardly anybody would have ever heard of them, and that they have used the current means of communication (record labels and distribution of records through labels) to speak out, to get their message heard, to educate and to inform. So no, the criticism does not come from Rage fans. They come from people who, for whatever reason, like to talk shit on social media. That's about the gist of it. I've been a Rage fan since 1992, and have followed their career since then, and have a pretty clear idea of their trajectory and the common things people have said about them. Anyway, loved watching your reaction. I had their lyrics pumping through my blood and brain all throughout my adolescence. Lol, any more questions, feel free to ask. 😄 Oh, and I was just reminded on this thread about the people who criticize them for being political. That is like criticizing grass for being green or the sky for being blue. I don't even hear those comments. Like mosquitoes flying nearby but never landing. A little buzz buzz here and there but there's not really any point in acknowledging or responding...

[@theheightsboy100]

it’s not rock, metal or hip hop, it’s Rage, the one and only

[@sharonhamilton9496]

Actually it’s GRUNGE!😃😃😃😃😃

[@sushig174]

Agree Rage is Rage one of a kind accept no substitute

[@GavinHewitt]

@@sharonhamilton9496 Sorry, but this is def not grunge

[@nilsmeissner1283]

Back in the 90s we called it Crossover.

[@ponchacho]

nothing else out there sounds like them

[@mishal7831]

This album came out in 92 and this influenced by Rodney King and aftermath. The song recommended above, “Killing in the Name of” was directly related. Quote about that song: “Taking the riff to his bandmates, the musicians found that they'd captured the anger that the Rodney King incident had caused within their community. Morello remembered: "We wrote that song before we even had a gig, so when we started clobbering people with those riffs and the ‘f**k you’- it was exciting from the very beginning.” Sadly their music is still so relevant because so little changed in the 28 years before George Floyd.

[@nashwpg]

this band was the perfect blend of hardcore punk and hip hop. Zack the singer was in a hardcore band before rage called Inside Out, they were great too. So glad i was a teenager when all this music was happening. so many memories of skateboarding with my friends to this

[@jimmoody2955]

Rage has been and always will be one of my favorite bands. Their message hasn't changed...the country has finally caught up to what they've been trying to bring to light since the moment they gave birth to this amazing sound and message! Rage doesn't need people to like what they have to say. People need to wake up what's been going on in this country for hundreds of years.

[@Palmas8999]

Only thing I disagree with this song is the bashing on Europe. Man we got some wierd shit back here in Europe. But nothing is close to the shitfuckery going on in America. That country need to pull itself together. But that won't happen because the power of $$$ will kill any attempt on fixing the problem.

[@Eddastuff]

@@Palmas8999 he is saying that they teach only the Euro side of American history and leave out the all the african History so as a black man he carnt learn from it but black man use to be hung (european thing)

[@jessicacarron8117]

As an activist teenager in the 90’s, RATM was it. They were screaming truth. I think that partly because they were screaming over guitars, some folks missed the messages by dismissing the sound it was coming from. The message was valid then, and is valid now. It still fuels that fire in my heart

[@CCS216]

In reference to fans turning their backs on them; lot of their fans never listened to the words. They were also asked about a politician who said he was a fan and they told the reporter that they would prefer that he wasn’t. This band is amazing. Speaking truth to power is always important. You should do a Prophets of Rage video.

[@davidplasterer6159]

They never changed their message. Zack is making music with Killer Mike and run the jewels now

[@jacobgeddes621]

Zack also has songs with KRS1

[@alejandroramirez4470]

JU$T was great and this guy needs to listen to those RTJ tracks for sure

[@seigisama9139]

Zach De La Rocha. He's from Long Beach. He's Black, Mexican, Jewish, and German/Irish. This track is from 1991. I bought this album from a Pawnshop in '92 for $5.

[@ragingcashew2979]

Rage never took off in the hip hop community back in the '90's I assume because they were a mostly white band and well hip hop was attempting to be an only black style of music back then. I know y'all remember Vanilla Ice and while he wasn't Eminem he got turned into a joke by hip hop ppl.

[@David_Theisen]

My first Rage cd I bought was Evil Empire! Damn I became a fan BIG TIME! When I was in a bad or mad mood I’d put in my RATM or Korn cds in my car!! LOL

[@breakingboxesmtg1585]

@@ragingcashew2979 I mean technically they weren't mostly white...but who's nitpicking lol.

[@josejgarciarodriguez3239]

Zack has no black.in him he's of Mexican and Irish descent

[@seigisama9139]

@@josejgarciarodriguez3239 Early life Zacharias Manuel de la Rocha was born in Long Beach, California, on January 12, 1970, to Robert "Beto" de la Rocha, and Olivia Lorryne Carter.[4] His father is a Mexican-American,[5] with some African and Sephardi Jewish heritage,[6][7] while his mother was born to Manuel García Urias, a Mexican-American, and Olive Pearl Fleming, who was of German and Irish heritage.[8][9] Beto was a muralist and a member of Los Four, the first Chicano art collective to be exhibited at a museum (LACMA, 1973). De la Rocha's paternal grandfather, Isaac de la Rocha Beltrán (1910-1985),[10] was a Mexican revolutionary[11] who fought in the Mexican Revolution and worked as an agricultural laborer in the U.S. De la Rocha would later see the hardships his grandfather endured reflected in the struggles of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation.[12]

[@713tink]

Tom to Twitter trolls a year ago “tell me what music I’ve made that’s not political so I can delete it from my catalog”, also “you don’t have a political science degree from Harvard to comment, but I do.”

[@billyhughes9776]

First off, I'm a fan of Tom Morello as a musician and songwriter. The music he made with Audioslave had some political messages but,...not all of it. Actually, not most of it. Also, last time I checked, you don't need a political science degree (from any college) to comment on Twitter.

[@kristoferwisniewski6826]

@@billyhughes9776 What the person above you is referring to is when a person on twitter tried to tell Morello to stay in his lane (and out of politics) - "Another successful musician instantly becomes a political expert.' Morello's response was that you don't have to have to be an honors grad in political science to have a political opinion and recognize unethical and inhumane acts - and that he could confirm that since he actually is one.

[@billyhughes9776]

@@kristoferwisniewski6826 aaaah,...gotcha. Thanks for the context, that is important. I don't participate on Twitter so I do lack that point of view. Appreciate it. Take care.

[@Melons987]

I also remember Zach making a speech on stage about 'Nuremberg trials' and how modern presidents have been committing war crimes since WW2, and one line he said particularly was along the lines of 'If those... [trials] were applied today our President should be shot." Needless to say, FOX news or some other media cuts out 95% of the whole speech just to highlight Zach saying "Our president should be shot' rather than the whole entire speech, effectively trying to change the narrative and make out RATM to be aggressive people with 'terrorist' threats. Aside from all the political controversy surrounding RATM, they've always been a powerhouse of sharp music and I have always been a fan of Tom Morello even with his solo debut as The Nightwatchman.

[@CriticalRoleHighlights]

Political science degrees are used as a tool by ignorant politically brainwashed morons to feel superior to people who actually know better. It means nothing but them having paid a ton of money to get a degree in cognitive bias.

[@MR-sj6rq]

Rage.... Can't say enough. Still listen to this, almost 40 years later.

[@wouterjennes224]

That was so much fun to watch. The rightwingers realising what Rage was actually saying. Priceless

[@lexort4204]

It's also fun seeing their responses to things Tom Morello posts online lol

[@grilledspaghetti]

Yeah, "musicians should shut up about politics and play" to Tom friggin Morello...... OK?!?!?

[@insomniacbritgaming1632]

Explain how it's against right wingers? It says nothing about the right wing 😂🤣

[@civictech1]

I'm a right winger, will always love rage because freedom of speech.

[@insomniacbritgaming1632]

"So-called facts are fraud" that seems more anti left wing...

[@drums4lyfe0987]

RATM- conscious level hip hop fused with the aggression of rock and metal. Perfect definition. The message has never changed, the people who think that weren’t really listening.

[@NolanMillerArt]

This. Most Underrated comment.

[@mwilliford1982]

As a teen, I loved them for their music. As an adult, I love them more for these kinds of messages. Also "Nas level" is like the highest level compliment I can think of.

[@kvbstudios316]

Nas and Rage are of the same era. Shame they haven’t shared more fans til now.

[@wtchoutna]

@@kvbstudios316 or that they've never collaborated (Zack and Nas still can)

[@restojon1]

I don't know what Nas is, can you point me in the right direction to get me on the right path and broaden my horizons, please?

[@Unotuchable]

@@restojon1 I'd suggest checking out his debut album Illmatic, it's possibly the most influential and greatest hip hop album of all time. It's basically neck and neck with It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy for greatest conscious rap albums.

[@restojon1]

@@Unotuchable thanks mate, I'm heading over to have a listen now 👍

[@funTimesInTheSun]

They never changed the message in their songs. People just never understood the songs.

[@givenspade]

Rage is hard rock, hip-hop, and funk, mixed into one thing.

[@tigerstalons5118]

Wasn’t it the band Down that tried to replicate RATMs sound ? I give them Cred it was good but Rage is Rage!

[@tigerstalons5118]

@@Defensive_Wounds thanks I didn’t know that!

[@jimedgar3221]

That was Downset. Great band. Their friends System of a down got all the success though.

[@deathpatrol99]

1. You're reactions are awesome. 2. They never changed. People just became offended at everything. 3. They are finally coming back after a long hiatus. 4. Zach will never censor his message.

[@charolettewebb621]

Haha, "people became offended at everything.. I love that truth. Thank you.

[@jamesmason4062]

Yes and the message is against world wide imperialism

[@BoogieWoogieCat]

Yeah, I've seen people saying stuff to Zach and Tom on instagram like: "I like your music, but stay out of politics", and I'm like, wtf? These people are crazy.

[@TheSlandis]

Metal and Rap. Definitely fusion.

[@TiKallisti]

Fusion is already taken and is associated with jazzy vibes - this is called crossover, a mix of funk, rap, rock, metal and punk.

[@swanney75]

“This came out before cds were big son” “ what’s a cd dad?” THATS how old it is.

[@Bishop0151]

This came out as I was coming of age. It was huge amongst me and my friends. Just like some old guys who introduced me to MC5 on eight track. I'm the old guy who introduces kids to Rage on CD. And the wheel turns.

[@paultaylor781]

Yep got it on vinyl

[@joetroyner]

@@Bishop0151 Yo I love MC5. They were ahead of their time..

[@TubularAnde]

10:08 the Weathermen referred to in this line being the Weather Underground - a communist & anti-imperialist militant group in the US in opposition to the Vietnam war. Common thread running through RATM songs - organise, fight oppression. Their message has never changed; they've always been radical, and they've always kicked ass.

[@properwaffles]

TIL 👍🏻

[@BadApple4Life]

This song is from 91. I saw them at The Sting in New Britain CT back in 1993 with Cypress Hill. It was insane! We all still love RATM, at least my crowd still does.

[@seekerofshadowlight]

RATM has never changed the message. either people never listened or drifted so far right they feel attacked by it.

[@dougf1249]

They became the “man” that we all raged against

[@bigred1554]

It’s funny you say far right when it’s the left advocating for bigger government and more power 🤨

[@joshuacox1446]

@@bigred1554 You're a fool if you don't think the right advocates for bigger government and more power AT LEAST as much as the left does, if not more.

[@RustinChole]

@@bigred1554 rage would disagrees with you. But you know. Keep those blinders on!!!!!!😂

[@majakian]

@@bigred1554 Left/Right...both sides of the same damn coin....Need to get back to CONSTITUTIONAL small govt...if it isn't in the Constitution, Govt doesn't have the power to do it.

[@KingKoopa0331]

Also, Militant Poetry is the best way to describe them. Killing in the Name was another song I rocked back as a kid from them

[@thomasosteen7110]

Wait ...you will accept this ..which I love me some RAM ...but you have been vocal against today's same political offerings...if I'm wrong then check out MESUS ...black and white .... Topher...Burden .... Struggle....Adam...Upchurch.... TOM....Bryson ....Tyson...... hmmm wait Iay now see a 1 sided decidiveness

[@mattschultz7491]

Holds up just has good now has when "we" were highschool aged. Message still appplies today

[@Leftylobber]

Anti-propaganda Metal like SOAD

[@redhawk5887]

Don't forget Bulls on Parade and Guerilla Radio 🤣😂

[@tombrenes2411]

You nailed its hip hop funk with a rebellion speech behind it I play drums and all my rock and metal friends didn’t want to play this So I made my band warm up to this . . . . Every bar said don’t stop The grove is mind blowing. The bass can solo and the guitar I go nuts (1992) Refound this today it’s on my morning routine now

[@beansnrice321]

RATM never changed their message. Just some of the people who used to listen to them, never listened to the lyrics until they were 40.

[@d.p.5563]

Answers to your questions: 1) This song is from 1992 2) They were huge in the rock scene at the time but they weren't that big in the hip hop scene. There wasn't a lot of crossover between genres back then. They toured with Wu Tang Clan a few times but the band was a staple on a lot of rock festivals. 3) Most rock bands that fused rock and hip hop did it my mixing hip hop elements like turntables and bad to average rapping in their songs. Zach de La Rocha was a legitimately skilled rapper that can hold his own and the band designed their song structure around the fact that he was a rapper and not a singer. There's really been nothing like them since. 4) Lyrics aren't as important in rock music so a lot of the messaging was lost in the aggressiveness of the music. Many of us didn't understand their lyrics until we went to college.

[@Sense008]

Good summary, though I have to completely disagree that Lyrics aren't as important in rock. I think that is more of a individual thing. Some people gravitate towards the sound of the music first, others gravitate to the lyrics first. I am one of the latter people, and the (metal and Rock) songs that mean most to me have lyrics that I connect with. Likewise, I tend not to be a big fan bands that have filler lyrics, even if their music is amazing. That's not to say I don't like some songs from band like that, more like I wouldn't buy an album, or be very motivated to go to shows. I know people who are the opposite too, they care only about the music, and there is nothing wrong with either way of looking at things, it's just a different way of experiencing things, cause we are all individuals with our own quirks and taste

[@jimbrookhyser]

Not quite like them, but I see a lot of similarity with Flobots.

[@europa_bambaataa]

The true unawareness of Rage here is really fun to watch

[@ElijahBlueTube]

They haven't changed a note. Not a single line. Their message is 100% strong and even more relevant today.

[@Joe-zk7ps]

They were SO big in the 90s. If you were into rock, you listened to Rage. They toured with Wu-Tang too. They never really took off in the hip hop community though, and Z is criminally underrated as an MC.

[@marcohernandez9674]

They toured with beastie boys and gangstar too.

[@codyyarbrough]

I saw them open for Public Enemy in a 500 person venue during the Apocalypse 91 tour. And then everyone in my town heard them open for U2 for a stadium tour. They haven't changed a bit. Right wingers who want them cancelled now simply got their heads fucked.

[@w.callens1629]

In Europe they played the biggest festivals in the 90s. I was 13 when I saw them the first time, almost 40 now... their songs still sound fresh and their message still holds up...

[@TechnoCheezit]

Rage got back together, and is going on tour in June. Couldn't think of a better time for Zach's voice to be back on the mic.

[@vinceabella1171]

Yeah I got excited with system of a down got together again to make music and raise money for their country. Both bands would drop some HARD comeback albums

[@ovekam1]

Can't wait to hear "shut up .. better do what they tell ya" by "rage with the woke machine ...."

[@jasonlevesque6340]

I'd suggest checking out Run the Jewels. ZDR has done a few songs with them that are amazing.

[@TechnoCheezit]

@@jasonlevesque6340 RTJ is on the tour with them I think as well!

[@m3talmonk3y]

My 1st show was RATM back in ‘96 in a jam-packed club. Still one of the best shows I’ve ever been to.

[@alebienestar]

I was around 14 when I started listening to RATM back in the 90's. It was a life saver & a channel for a young Latina fed up with social injustice. I deeply enjoy watching your reactions. I am now a political activist & listening to their music comes full circle for me. Big love to old & new fans.

[@alantaylor4213]

That whole album should be on everyone's personal play list!

[@norest2638]

Has been for years one of my Favorites

[@abigailslade3824]

Freakin A

[@marcayres8635]

This was the band that got metal heads like me into hip hop. This was the cross over back in the 90's. They did so much but alas their words are still relevant today, if not even more so.

[@MrJturner74]

One of my favorite songs is Shame by System of a Down and Wu-tang clan.

[@rumling81]

For me that was Ice-T

[@TheSpencer1000]

Its so important for a band like them to exist because it really increased the ability for them to spread their message to the people they want most to listen to it, and those people being white suburbanites. They woke many kids of a generation that never would have been woken up if he was just another hip hop artist speaking out.

[@chesterjackson666]

The crossover put fear into the mainstream narrative/engineering. Rage didn't change, the engineering was in damage control.

[@cheothegeo2742]

The only band that ever got hip hop fully blended with hard rock. Like a perfect mint chocolate ice cream swirl

[@cttmattchu69]

Beastie Boys

[@cttmattchu69]

Public enemy

[@cheothegeo2742]

Both were embraced as hip hop within the hip hop community. Ratm never got embraced in that same way cuz they weren’t completely hip hop. But they weren’t completely hard rock either. Like I said my friend. a perfect mint chocolate ice cream swirl

[@cttmattchu69]

@Satanic Panic Fun and Games ever heard the song Sabotage?

[@ferryvisser6305]

Urban dance squad did a great job also i think

[@thenjry]

Your reaction @ 0:36 is perfect. I'll always remember the "disclaimer" they included in their CDs. Was either the liner notes or on the case. Something to the effect of "all sounds produced by vocals, bass, drums and guitar." People couldn't believe Morello was producing those sounds from his guitar.

[@endergade3183]

It goes something like "no extra samples used"

[@lunch2102]

@@endergade3183 no samples, keyboards or synthesizers used in the making of this record

[@RollzRoyce199]

The 90s were a very different landscape. Being anti-establishment appealed to a lot of people, and those who leaned right probably didn't pay that much attention to the lyrics. But because it was tied to rock music, their fanbase skewed whiter than you might otherwise expect. Those people grew up, and some of them became more reactionary. Famously, Paul Ryan, super-conservative congressman from Wisconsin (and Mitt Romney's running mate in 2012), said they were one of his favorite bands. In response, their guitarist wrote an Op-Ed in Rolling Stone with the headline "Paul Ryan Is the Embodiment of the Machine Our Music Rages Against." The fact that they are rap-rock probably keeps younger people from looking back into them. However, now that nu-metal and emo influences are bleeding into rap music (e.g. Juice WRLD) and their worldview feels especially relevant, I wouldn't be surprised to see them become more popular.

[@dontgiveinfo]

Paul Ryan is one of the many puppets or the puppet masters that run the whole show. The real enemy is the one that pulls ryans strings. He like his counter parts are the ppls enemy

[@bfizzle847]

"Those who leaned right"? LOL, you forgetting the DNC?

[@Alifesalife]

Juice wrld and all similar rap is not emo whatsoever

[@Caseyuptobat]

@@bfizzle847 Dems are only Left by comparison. All major political organizations in power in the united states are Right of Center at this point.

[@caitieeeee]

They never listen to any context in the things they like. People really don't get that a lot of anti-fascist stuff is anti-fascist.

[@sethinstereo]

When most of us were listening to Rage, we were in middle/high school. We had no idea what the real world was like, we just looked forward to MTV Jams, Headbangers Ball, and pizza in the cafeteria on Fridays. We just knew this music was a real groove, and it was loud. The anthem for youth. Only now do we understand the words. We're not just out there in the world, we are the world. We make the decisions that affect how people live their lives. For a generation (or two) that can't learn anything that isn't on a screen, RATM is a growing seed. We know the music, and then one day when we're at the gym and it's on the playlist, we *bloom* finally hear what Zach and the band were trying to tell us all along. We leave and get in the car and play the playlist. Achievement unlocked. All for one. One for all.

[@santanadegollado9812]

Fuck yeah.... Totally agree!!

[@pepeltoro444]

Nah...I understood this, I angry sang this, I put my fist in the air and headbanged to this because it hit, it hit right home. If you grew up in a shade other than white, you saw where this was coming from...saw it on the streets and saw the effects of it in your parents and the every day harassments, racism and inequalities that come with being "a person of color". If you grew up on this but didn't know what it meant or why it was made...it was just a little privilege you had...and I am jealous of it...I wish I didnt.

[@sethinstereo]

@@pepeltoro444 You're exactly right, I was (and am) privileged, and it's not something I'm proud of. I was lucky to not see the racism and inequality you mentioned manifested in front of my own eyes until later in my life, and when I saw it, I didn't understand why it happened at the time. Why would people want to treat each other that way. But like all things, once you see it, you can't unsee it, and if you pay attention long enough you'll see it more than you want to. What I described was the world I enjoyed when this music was fresh, and to your point, it was extremely myopic. Time, age, and some run ins with some of the lesser members of our society have been eye opening. After that, this music made a lot more sense, and had a newfound sense of importance to me that I had missed, simply because I didn't understand the words. I get it now.

[@renecarrillo9393]

@@pepeltoro444 I am there with ya! I became politically and socially aware from like fourth grade on! I learned and recognized alot of what they were saying! I also still recognize I was also privileged in ways and I did not let that advantage slip from from me! I made my own extra credit studies!

[@DasSpitter]

This hit right at home. I mean, I knew they were political, but as a 13/14 year-old, my brain could not fully comprehend and contextualize all of the lyrics. On another note, I got to meet them when I was 14 during their last photoshoot before they broke up (cousin is a photog) and I MUST say that they are genuinely the NICEST dudes on the plant. Especially Tom Morello and Brad.I was so star struck that I barely spoke a word. We were walking down the sidewalk to shoot in front of a different building & I was walking a few steps behind them. Tom slows his pace, steps to the side and says, "come on, walk with us." I don't think he knows how much that meant to the little 14 year-old girl who had Rage posters all over her bedroom walls. I also had a guitar pick necklace on that I made and Morello goes, "Oh, you play guitar?! Me too!" Still cracks me up 20 years later.

[@rxibot]

A lot of my friends that I grew up with just never heard the lyrics you're never understood them so when they got older they said that rage changed the way they were but you can listen to all their albums and they're always on the side of righteousness and honor integrity.

[@jnanashakti6036]

What's funny is "they changed their message" talking about 30 year old songs haha. Like they went back and re-recorded everything with new lyrics or something.

[@rxibot]

@@jnanashakti6036 lol No.

[@Psylokiful]

@@jnanashakti6036 right !? These fools never heard the lyrics.

[@Fleato]

@@jnanashakti6036 i saw someone say " they are corporate sell outs" like what. how. what. where. when. how? huh? the minds of right wingers is very very special.

[@charlesbordeaux6774]

They have never change the message they stand on point

[@faisalleeds]

These songs need to come back for the current generation. RATM are an amazing band and that is coming from a big hip hop fan!

[@martinw2235]

The message didn't change. Angry white teenagers never got past "fuck you, I won't do what you tell me" and are pissed 30 years later that they grew into the type of people who were the villains in these songs.

[@RussellRobinson971]

I loved the sound, never cared for most of their message-but I would fight to the death to defend their right to say whatever they wanted. There's respectfully disagreeing, but appreciation for their talent simultaneously.

[@tomgrant29]

100% this

[@teresas8173]

Wait...who grew into the villains? Some of the fans back in the 90s or the band itself?

[@martinw2235]

@@teresas8173 some of the fans

[@brentburick2765]

Rage has not changed their beliefs. People would rather silence them instead of listen to the messages and change things. 13:25 Unbelievable energy at their concert!!

[@heavyrockfarm]

I was listening to Rage since the 90’s. they have never changed their message. So happy for new people to like them. Cheers

[@peterbkrogh]

They never changed their message, but their t-shirts got a lot more expensive

[@modnarpias]

Everything got more expensive in the last 30 years mate.

[@corywilliams1698]

@@matthulvey8615 I totally agree. I love their music but it seems pretty hypocritical when you look at the big picture.

[@FartisticFlatulence]

@@matthulvey8615 I dunno, I don't remember anything about them being against making money.

[@FartisticFlatulence]

@@modnarpias Holy shit, you are NOT kiddin.

[@peterbkrogh]

@@modnarpias Yeah sure, *mate.* Go try to buy a RAtM shirt/sweatshirt. Put it in the basket. Go to checkout. Look at shipping and handling. I've never seen anything like that in my life.

[@dhamp_]

I don't see anyone mentioning it, but until a year or so ago, all of the band except the front man were in a group with Chuck D, DJ Lord and B-Real called Prophets of Rage. Definitely worth a listen.

[@kbredstar529]

rage never changed. the dudes i went to school with who 'loved' this band, became cops. then died. and nobody shed a tear. class traitors.

[@skelley3278]

Punk rockers have been listening and learning for decades my friend, well aware and active, bringing our kids up not to hate, when they say it’s all love, it’s all love. I love to see that first time someone realizes this has been growing in our hearts this long, and that hope for a better future passed on to the next generation. Thank you for the video.

[@lyanacat1943]

Yeah I always laugh when everyone whips out the idea that GenX did nothing and stood for nothing. Like, no, y'all assholes didn't want to listen.

[@plushfloody]

They didnt change at all. People just didnt pay close attention to their lyrics back in the day.

[@feedthemachine99]

They didn't change one bit ,the listeners did !

[@breakingboxesmtg1585]

It consistently shocks me how few people have heard of Rage Against the Machine. Absolute Geniuses. Generational talents.

[@DavidRaleyLLC]

How few people have heard of them? My parents are almost 70, my kids are teens... they all know rage. From where I sit you’d have to fly to a remote jungle to encounter someone who hadn’t at least HEARD of rage

[@gruntabro1]

They are merely in denial

[@deanfinkelstein3390]

The singers name is Zach de la Rocha. He is mainly Mexican American. I have loved his lyrics since my ears first heard them. They come across as metalish but I think that is because of Tom Morello’s guitar style. Morello was in audioslave and a dj before joining RATM. He brought a lot of that dj synthesized sounds to the guitar and it meshed so well with Zack’s message. Zack is one of the most intelligent lyricists I’ve ever heard and he conveys the message on a level that forces you to be culturally versed to truly understand the meaning. His insight is borderline genius in my opinion. @mrlboyd

[@nem447]

audioslave was after RATM

[@GonzoA211]

Audioslave IS RATM minus Zach De Larocha and adding Chris Cornell. The music is vastly different due to the stark differences between the two lead singers.

[@prillman]

You're all wrong... Prophets of Rage came first before both RATM and Audioslave (said with tongue firmly in cheek).

[@properwaffles]

In the 90s we just loved good music that had some actual substance. Saw Rage and Public Enemy back to back in the same week. So many good bands, great time for live music.

[@scottp4357]

>impling that metal can't have a socially conscious message >gojira has entered the chat

[@mzkman38]

I have that new Gojira on loop

[@scottp4357]

@@mzkman38 fucking glorious isn't it :D

[@Raidanzoup]

PLASTIC. BAG IN THE SEA.

[@startingover9414]

fax they straight up paraphrase Che in Silvera

[@paulbryden4006]

Metal has always had a social conscious thread not every band granted. Just non metal fans never realised it.

[@alangarcia5693]

Zack De La Rocha currently performs and is on records with Run The Jewels as well

[@anthonypallen7919]

He's legit as any other top Mc

[@alangarcia5693]

@@anthonypallen7919 definitely on the all time greats list

[@shawnrekiel7186]

Look at all those slave masters posing on your dollar!

[@alangarcia5693]

@@shawnrekiel7186 get it :D

[@ericcowsill7821]

God gifted lyricist. Unreal and so true. More true today!!!

[@MochiFrijoles]

Know your enemy is another good one off this album. Everything, their entire music collection they have out there is DOPE!

[@DuncanDucen]

I remembering hearing some time ago that the lead singer Zach de la Rocha said most of the fan base doesn’t know what they are about and are just there for the mosh pits. I believe it was part of the reason he broke the band up.

[@hideshiseyes2804]

In a way it’s naive to think any band, even one as openly radical as them, can really achieve that much politically. It’s still entertainment at the end of the day. But it’s also art, and radical, and there were then and still are some number of people who connect with the message and some number of them will go on to get involved in politics, activism etc. It was never going to kickstart a transformation, but it’s not nothing.

[@jeffbrandon7201]

@@hideshiseyes2804 honestly, I think this music influenced a lot more people than is widely realized. Tons of people heard it, and heard what they were saying. Not all of them really drilled down on it.

[@TheGhettoDebutante]

Interesting. Sir I don't know if they understood a LOT of their fan base were children of the '60s. Many a grandma baked Christmas cookies to Rage against the machine

[@joshl6275]

​@@TheGhettoDebutante Boomers are brain damaged though. Like, lights are on but no one's home. Serious talk. Some of them are kind of starting to get it but they can't move past Rachel Maddow liberalism. A rare few, like George Carlin, really got it. But 60's or no, most boomers weren't flower children. They were raised to be Stepford husbands and wives. Leave it to beaver types. Just conform, conform, conform. Go get a corporate job, buy a house, pump out more consumer spawn to repeat the capitalist life cycle. And on top of that, they were the most spoiled and vapid generation in history and don't even realize it. They never had a socially critical eye. They never questioned authority. Never had a real reason to truly question authority and the institutions of authority within our society. They were mostly just full of themselves.

[@bugsh9188]

This is from the early 90s. The singer Zack spoke of alot of the realest stuff at the time and tried to enlighten the younger generations.. He even did a interview with Naom Chomsky at one point... The guitarist Tom Morello is also just a enigma without an equal when it comes to sonic diversity.... Rage Against the Machine is it's own genre.

[@baddream13]

I was a teen when they rose to popularity, and as a dumb teenager, they resonated only because they were angry, and so were we. They addressed the feeling that we were being tricked. It was subtle, but we all felt it, even if we didnt understand it. Things felt wrong, and we couldn't express it. We could just rage against it. I saw them perform in 96, and they had an upside-down American flag above their stage, and i didnt think too hard about it at the time, but it just felt right. Now, as an almost 50 year old adult, I truly get the message. We're all being lied to, and we need to question EVERYTHING.

[@prostetnikjeltz6801]

This song is 30 years old, and it's still as relevant now as it was back then.

[@speelydan]

6:35 - the fans who suddenly decided they don't like Rage are far rightwingers who used to just love Rage, until they started paying attention to the lyrics. Rage has **always** been far leftwing, and even today, they've never strayed from that. Paul Ryan (far rightwinger) used to claim that he listened to Rage while he worked out, until Tom Morello (the guitarist) ripped him a new one. Once that happened, a decent chunk (but a minority) of Rage's fanbase abandoned them because they suddenly realized that Rage's music is 100% opposed to their political views. They used to think Rage was rightwing. Now they realize Rage is leftwing, suddenly they're not fans anymore. Rage never changed their message. It's just a small portion of their former fanbase who **thinks** Rage changed their message. In reality, they just realized that Rage's message was never *their* message. (This comment comes from a far-leftwing fan of Rage Against the Machine, since 1995.)

[@steventhompson8769]

Spot on

[@antivanti]

How the fuck can anyone ever think they're right-wing? It takes about a single bar to figure out that they are way left of what American calls the left 😂 Then again those people don't tend to think or listen much 🤷‍♂️

[@KDawgMcG]

There is an intensity to the music that I think connects with people initially, many of us rage against the machine, we just can't decide what the machine is.

[@MrJturner74]

No it's that they only bitch when a republican is in office. Democrat gets in office, sets up internment camps, invades another country, expands surveillance and drone bombing while not prosecuting banks. All you heard was fucking crickets.

[@PNC713]

@@MrJturner74 it’s a political problem in general. Neither party is truly for the people anymore. Highest bidder wins. We gotta take the power back

[@ButcherU]

Rage were way ahead of their time; their music is still relevant today, one of the best bands of all time

[@woutervanwijk4369]

They got criticized for ticket prices of their reunion tour being astronomical. They were saying things like "Rage Against the Machine but not against capitalism". However, the prices started quite normal and a part of the revenue was even given to activist organisations. It were actually scalpers who bought up all tickets and tripled the prices.

[@els1f]

"Oh! It's one of these!" That's the best response to the first two lines🤣

[@agent_hex]

Great reaction and insight. As a metal-head growing up, I was glad to count Rage as a part of "my subculture", but secretly knew they deserved to be picked up and supported by the hip hop community just as much, if not more, than ours. Just goes to show that truly great music is universal and that we all need to spread the word, take the power back, and stop trying to divide ourselves.

[@vegasviking86]

I specifically want to see more Rage Against the Machine reactions

[@skogstjuven]

Zack De la Rocha was born in Long Beach, California, on January 12, 1970, to Robert "Beto" de la Rocha, and Olivia Lorryne Carter. His father is a Mexican-American, with some African and Sephardi Jewish heritage, while his mother is Mexican-American. so he is American.

[@RictorIAG]

I don't know that times were different. The main difference now is that people who sympathize with white supremacy and fascism feel comfortable to talk about it. But for the most part it's a well worn trope that college kids skew liberal and 40+ somethings skew conservative. (Goes back to the line, "If you're not a liberal when you're 20 you have no heart. If you're not a conservative when you're 40 you have no brain.) Now, I disagree with that statement, but I see where it originally came from. It was originally the idea that people first become politically aware in college, see the inequality, and think things should be different. Thus, they skew liberal. But by the time they're middle aged they become self-interested and want to protect whatever economic advantage they've built for themselves and thus turn conservative. I don't think those rules apply anymore in politics but generally speaking, younger people tend to skew more liberal. And that's who RATM is/was appealing to. It's empowering to be in a crowd of people while RATM is screaming "fuck you I won't do what you tell me" and the entire crowd is flipping off the police helicopter flying overhead. The band and their music very much appealed to every kid that was rebelling against the system. Kids have a good instinct for the bullshit that comes from leadership. All RATM did was connect that youthful spirit of rebellion to the larger hypocrisy in government and corporate leadership. Not everybody went deep with it (see: Paul Ryan) because the music itself was catchy enough. (Like how most Ace of Base fans missed the fact that they're Nazis -- seriously, google the band name to see what it referenced.) But the depth was there for those who were paying attention. As for a recommendation, how about Sleep Now in the Fire? The video was shot by Michael Moore and they managed to shut down Wall St. during filming. It was shot around 2000. See if you can find the guy in the crowd with the Trump for President sign. These dudes were the antidote for a disease that would take another 15 years to rear its ugly head.

[@nadograymountain]

✊🏾

[@teresas8173]

Ace of Base Nazis? I did google them. And didn’t see any reference that.

[@RictorIAG]

@@teresas8173 ​ The name "Ace of Base" is most likely a reference to the Keroman Submarine Base, a massive U-boat launching and docking facility constructed by the Nazis in the French town of Loriant. It's considered one of the most important and ambitious projects of the entire war for their side. In 1941, the missions that embarked from this facility alone were responsible for taking out more than 500 Allied ships. www.cracked.com/blog/how-90s-pop-band-secretly-sold-nazism-to-america/ www.vice.com/en/article/rm35nr/ace-of-bases-secret-nazi-past