Sixty-one years ago, on May 30, 1964, Tom Morello . A metal icon, he has been a guitarist since he was 17 and an activist since childhood: “Actually, my political education didn’t start with any book. It started with being the only black kid in a predominantly white town and a bit of the racial injustice I felt,” he commented in an interview with Full Metal Jackie.
Besides his activist streak, which is genetic since both his parents are and were activists, Morello graduated from Harvard with honors in Political Science. Tom Morello's work has been completely political from the beginning. His career and projects have always been based on his political actions, and even in his solo career, where the guitarist addresses other themes , politics is always present.
To celebrate the artist's birthday, Wikimetal has listed 5 songs to understand the guitarist's political and social ideas:
“Killing in the Name” by Rage Against the Machine
One of their most famous songs, featured on their self-titled 1992 debut album, criticizes police violence and abuse of power. Composed by vocalist Zack de la Rocha , it refers to the abolitionist Frederick Douglass – the most important leader of the African-American civil rights movement in the 19th century – who stated that the moment he became free was not when he was physically released from his shackles, but rather when the master said "yes" and he said "no".
Tom Morello stated that the lyrics, especially the phrase "fuck you, I won't do what you tell me," are inspired by Douglass's concept of freedom and the assertion that true freedom was not just physical liberation, but also the ability to say "no" to authority. The guitarist explained in an interview with Rolling Stone : "That's the essence of 'fuck you, I won't do what you tell me.' And that's why it's encouraging to hear him yelling at the federal thugs who are shooting tear gas at American citizens."
“Hail To The Chief” by Prophets Of Rage
"Hail the Chief," a phrase often used to express loyalty and respect for a leader or authority figure, is also the song that the US Marine Corps Presidential Band traditionally plays to announce the President's arrival. But for the band Prophets Of Rage, it's a scathing critique of power and corruption, a statement against injustice calling attention to the need for resistance and change. The music video explicitly criticizes American presidents, especially US President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, with lyrics addressing hypocrisy and manipulation.
Formed by members of Rage Against the Machine/ Audioslave , Public Enemy , and Cypress Hill , Prophets Of Rage is another necessary project from Tom Morello. In an interview with TMDQA!, the guitarist said: “We emerged as a form of resistance to injustice and inequalities caused by whoever was in the White House. With Trump in power, it’s more important than ever to maintain that resistance.”
“Living On The 110” by Prophets Of Rage
Another track from the supergroup Phopets Of Rage is "Living on the 110." The phrase, which gained prominence through the song, refers to Highway 110 in Los Angeles, where many homeless people live beneath the highway's structure. The song highlights the harsh reality of homelessness and economic inequality.
The lyrics and music video further illustrate the plight of those living under the highway and the broader issues of poverty and economic inequality. The video shows wealthy individuals driving luxury cars while homeless people live beneath it. The group highlights the growing gap between rich and poor, and the lack of compassion for those experiencing homelessness.
“One Man Revolution” by The Nightwatchman
Tom Morello created a solo acoustic folk project under his alter ego, The Nightwatchman , further emphasizing his political activism. The project was inspired by the character in Bruce Springsteen which addresses how the United States treats workers and immigrants. It's worth noting that Rage Against the Machine covered the track on their album *No Boundaries: A Benefit For The Kosovar Refugees *, in support of refugees from the Kosovo war.
The title track from the 2007 One Man Revolution Michael Jackson in his song of the same name, "Man in the Mirror" : "If you want to make the world a better place, look at yourself and then make a change." The Nightwatchman's music uses metaphors to portray the role of the night watchman as a "black Robin Hood," fighting against injustices such as war crimes and corporate greed.
“Renegades Of Funk” by Rage Against The Machine
Another relevant track is “Renegades Of Funk,” originally released in 1983 by rapper Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force, and covered by Rage Against The Machine in 2011. The track is a celebration of those who defy the status quo and fight against injustice. This is a powerful and politically charged anthem of resistance, as I put it in a line from the song: “No matter how hard you try, you can’t stop us now.”
Rage Against The Machine's version combines the classic funk grooves of the original track with punk and metal, highlighting rebellion and praising the names of personalities and bands who fight and have fought against the system. The music video for Tom Morello's group features live footage of Los Angeles street artist Joey Krebs spray-painting his infamous silhouettes of figures blended with a montage of photos of personalities and artists whom the song suggests are outcasts, including DJ Grandmaster Flash , civil rights activist Rosa Parks , the hip-hop trio Rum-DMC , television host Queen Latifah , activist Martin Luther King Jr. , and several other important figures, both men and women, who fight for social and political equality.
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