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]

👍

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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 🎯

[@nadograymountain]

✊🏾 Zack a real one for this. ✊🏾

[@PML78]

DROP THAT!!!!!!!! 🤘🏽😎

[@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.

[@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

[@nickdallas8528]

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

[@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.

[@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 (darkness of greed, i think they renamed it) 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

[@boxyourbuddy]

Anger is a Gift.

[@PML78]

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

[@thorkawasaki16]

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

[@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!

[@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 ✊🏾💯

[@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

[@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…

[@Belly_Beane]

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

[@volatilemolotov2298]

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

[@metikulas4]

Yes

[@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.

[@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.

[@YouTubdotCub]

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

[@nickmoryn1117]

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

[@oak3785]

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

[@marcocd]

Oh shit I been waiting for this one so bad!

[@PML78]

Freeeeeeeedoooooommmmm !!!!!🤘🏽😎

[@Mike-hm5rm]

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

[@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. 🔥

[@NevTheDeranged]

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

[@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!!!!!!!!

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@LT_Xander]

Let’s go!!!!

[@LT_Xander]

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

[@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!!!!!!!!!

[@Worm405]

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

[@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!!

[@EmmaBadOne]

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

[@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

[@Gdisele]

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

[@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.

[@TheSeppy101]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@philflynn9161]

Great reaction ❤

[@huntercox5000]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@MarcAndElena]

How you have not reacted to 'Renegades of Funk' by now, is sincerely mind-boggling! It would behoove you to react to the official music video; if you consider yourself a fan, that is.

[@chrisburns514]

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

[@Arielrosemusic]

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

[@Canine77]

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

[@horizonblack]

"Use a pair of clubs to beat the spades" Damn

[@ivanheffner2587]

@RobTV I hope you go back and watch the video and focus on the text. That scrolls across the bottom of the screen. It’s hard to read and goes by fast, but it gives more context to the big text screens.

[@sanikvoice]

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

[@metler7642]

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

[@parasiticproductions]

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

[@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.

[@mellemellbc]

If you haven’t yet, you should check out their cover of pistol grip pump. Omgggggg 🔥

[@Arielrosemusic]

If you want to dive deeper into AIM and this history, I highly recommend the book 'Where White Men Fear to Tread' by Russell Means. It's incredible and life-changing.

[@NightwatchRebel]

Imo every song on their first album is a banger. You should definitely listen to all of them but maybe first check out "Settle For Nothing" as it is quite unique and I think you would really enjoy "Township Rebellion"

[@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.

[@elusivelectron]

3:55 This is the exact same riff in Even Flow.

[@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. :)

[@HaunterV]

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

[@DarkAngel1985Mike]

AIM(American Indian Movement) worked with , and was supported by the Black Panthers, the Black Panthers reported on them in their newspaper, and the government FBI attacked them the same because they were fighting against the white supremacy and assimilation mindset, with Native kids had been taken away from their families and put into boarding schools usually ran by the Catholic Church that tried to kill the Native culture and was rampant with physical and sexual abuse and murder which is finally being discovered with the discovery of mass burials of Native children at formal boarding schools in the US and Canada

[@gavincassidy1377]

You did it! Fuck yeah Rob!

[@PML78]

BRING THAT SHIT IN!!!!!!!!!🤘🏽😎🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@mirasbrush4607]

If you wanna hear some straight Zach rap, check out CIA by Zach, KRS-one, Last Emperor, it's so damn good. Also, if you want another one about a specific person, try Voice of the Voiceless.

[@solarespresso]

Toad The Wet Sproket also had song covering this topic called, "Crazy Life." More of chill tone, though lol Free Leonard Peltier!

[@Brando-Lee3725]

Check out the story referenced here about Leonard Peltier in this video if you want t learn more about this injustice .

[@DJKuroh]

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

[@melanielynch2732]

Try 'Maria' by Rage. Some of the best story-telling writing Zach has ever done

[@makunpi]

Please do ''Wake Up'' by Rage against the machine

[@benjaminfloresart]

RATM was, is and will always be the truth. Dude you gotta do a double feature, Bruce Springsteen’s The Ghost of Tom Joad, THEN the RATM cover. That shit’ll make your head spin.

[@paullosch1168]

Have you tried out Bad Religion, yet? Different sound, same cloth as far as super intelligent, politically forward rock.. just the punk variety. Dead Kennedys, too. These were the bands that first got gears turning on what was being said through music. The Clash, too, for that matter. RATM found the perfect time and place to light the pop landscape on fire, though. Your reactions have gotten me so amped on them again. Shame it's 30 years later and they still resonate so hard...

[@illeeay]

"Your anger is a gift"

[@JoshuaCaldwell-sy6sr]

Gotta listen to born of a broken man. One of my favorite rage songs. Wood stock 99 video.

[@CoolMagnet]

I have found some amusement here, but if you REALLY want to listen to some white music, check out the Dead Milkmen. Doesn't matter what track they all gold. I might suggest "The Thing That Only Eats Hippies," "Punkrock Girl," "Stuart," or if you're feeling ballsy..."Tiny Town."

[@0SQUARESINMYO]

you need to go back and read what's scrolling across the bottom of the video

[@treertstep]

Please check out their LIVE & RARE album. Their live performances take it to the next level PLUS it includes a cover of Fuck the Police!

[@HopeIsFleeting]

Put simply, RATM are anarchists. Meaning they want to break down unjust hierarchies wherever they appear. Whether that be within governments, corporations or any other institutions. Anarchism is often also called libertarian socialism. Libertarian because it's anti-state and anti-government and socialism because it advocates for an economy based on worker democracy, worker ownership and worker control. As opposed to capitalism which is an economy that is run by the ownership class who own and control the means of production. You can think of libertarian socialism (aka anarchism) as basically being the same as capitalism but instead of having rich middlemen who own and control everything and do none of the work, workers who produce goods and services sell the fruits of their labour directly to consumers. Workers then have enough to consume other goods and services and the result is an equitable economy.

[@igot40movies]

Do ''Wake Up'' next

[@Montuckz]

ratm energy is like drug. you need it!

[@jaysonfate8422]

Rob you should watch the 1993 live version. Zach is so powerful.

[@SugarySerial]

another vote for "Take The Power Back" 🙏

[@JimNastics369]

Of course you've heard Ju$t by Run the Jewels... Zach's verse is dope on that song!

[@krisdelafuente887]

Gotta do ‘Wake up’! A must

[@jacobbrown0718]

On June 10 2024 Leonard Peltier will appear before the US parole commission for the first time since 2009! He is the longest serving political prisoner in the US! FREE LEONARD PELTIER!!!

[@iscariom]

This is the first song they played by them. Kinda hooked me in. During the quiet part he whispers "anger is a gift". It's a good song. I had to watch it many times. Partially for the song... partially to read the words on the screen during the video. I stopped liking them around Evil Empire... but this first album is badass.

[@dougmacaulay3105]

When you gonna do Guerrilla Radio?

[@howdydoo5006]

In case you're wondering, Zach has had a few verses in other rapper's shit (most famously in Run The Jewels) and had an album as One Day as A Lion. Tom had a couple albums with Audioslave (along with their rhythm section) and had some food songs,but nothing weird or particularly cwith his guitar (I Am the Highway is a good Audioslave song) Now Tom is a singer=songwriter going by The Nightwatchman. He's alright but nothing special. None of them are as good as they were with Rage. And that's not some nostalgic bullshit on my part. They've all been good but nothing special separately for like 20 years

[@CH-dr7nm]

You got to check out Township Rebellion

[@anthonygonzalez8930]

Freedom live concert .

[@rgalle74]

The agents car they mentioned had 124 bullet holes from a .223 AR which was carried by LP and a total of 5 shots were fired by the two agents combined. In 2017 BO denied his last clemency request. LP also had an outstanding warrant for attempted murder on a WI PO so there’s that too.

[@DarkAngel1985Mike]

Yeah, Leonard Peltier is still in prison and us Natives are still trying to get him freed because he is a political prisoner just like Mumia Abu Jamal from the Black Panthers

[@DepravedAxolotl]

Saying RATM is your favorite band is like saying that the doctor who diagnosed you with cancer is your favorite doctor.

[@ceccvet]

I fux w/ you bro. Unbiased opinion you a g dawggy