The famous protest anthem of Rage Against The Machine, Killing In The Namereached the symbolic milestone of one billion plays on Spotify. Released in 1992 as the first single from the group’s eponymous album, certified three times platinum, the song remains one of the most emblematic of the committed Metal rap group’s repertoire.
A title with a timeless message
Killing In The Name is known for its punchy refrain, repeated 16 times: “Fuck you, I won’t do what you tell me”. Written in response to police brutality leading to the Los Angeles riots in the 1990s, the song also denounces systemic racism and oppression by those in power.
Since its release, the song has found new meanings, becoming a universal symbol of rebellion. She was even at the heart of a campaign in 2009 aimed at dethroning the winner of the TV show The X Factor from number one in the UK charts at Christmas. This initiative, although independent from the group, was supported by Rage Against The Machine, who used the proceeds for charity.
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The universal scope of the song
Tom Morello, guitarist of the group, recently commented on this feat via his social networks: “Killing In The Name has just passed 1 billion plays on Spotify! Thank you to everyone who listened to it: those who love it, those who hate it, and those who appreciated it without understanding its meaning. It’s proof that rebellious music and irony are still alive and well.”
Post from Tom Morello:
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