Revenge of the Masses?

I am wondering if an artist of some kind, might speak so much for the common or abused members of society, that his assasination would spark revolution? I am picturing a person like Zack de la Rocha, the lead singer/lyricist for the band Rage Against the Machine.

I wonder sometimes to myself, if somebody put themselves in the line of fire (like I belive his lyrics do), is it possible that his character could be such that when or if he is gone, that "the masses" like he represents would perhaps bring the revoltuion he sung about?

I want him to exist alive for years and years, and if Zack died, it would mean so far much more to me than losing somebody like Tupac (I liked him, don't get me wrong) or particularly biggie smalls or that kind of character. Zack (for example) is placing himself in danger for so much more (the masses and people of color) than money loving punks like these "ganstas" that kill each other. IMO such gangstas PREVENT revolution by keeping the kiddies concentrating on dumb stuff like "bling bling" and thug life.

I wonder sometimes if a "hero" cold be so LARGE that this person's death or assasination by governmental persons could be the catalyst for a revolution. What do you all think?


[edit on 17-2-2007 by smallpeeps]

With the exception of one tune, produced with DJ Shadow, and another, with Trent Reznor I believe, I haven’t heard anything from Zack since RATM broke up in what? 2003?

Obviously for a brief time, RATM were the best band on the planet, and they had a valid message. However, if you take a look around the vile, corrupt world we inhabit today, it is clear that it was a message that has fallen on largely deaf ears.

I’m interested. I was wondering if you could fill me, as to exactly why you hold this man in such esteem?

Originally posted by Implosion
I’m interested. I was wondering if you could fill me, as to exactly why you hold this man in such esteem?

I heard they broke up but yes, they are on good terms and of course (since sheer dollars demand it) they will reunite I imagine.

It's more about what a person sees. If they live in Gotham, they surely step over a bum each morning, whilst telling themselves how Gotham is Great. But in fact, any reasonable human being (in my eyes) would try to shorten the skyscrapers just a tad, so as to provide softer curbs for the guy who's got nothing.

I find that his usage of music and english, combined with a loyalty and friendship with Tom Morello, probably one of the most interesting and responsive guitarists out there, says that he is probably in the top five musicians/thinkers who understands the power of the pen. Just because only a few people listen and read the lyrics, doesn't mean the words aren't said. They have weight, and they have meaning.

I think at times that he is protected by a secret boardroom meeting which occurs where the power elite ("The Man") says to themselves in all honest analysis: "We'd love to take this guy out, but it really might actually destabilize our well being." ...Zack talks about how King and Malcom X were executed due to their A: ability to motivate the people, and B: their decision to become political in the military arena.

I think "The Man" may realize exactly how American martyrs are created and how riots start. I wonder about this because I really do feel that his death might cause people to want revenge. I am not saying anything other than that his lyrics do reccomend some kind of revultionary action and that such action is used as barbershop banter by so many americans and yet never acted upon. I think that therefore he is allowed to continue his work and to live, whilst "The Man" secretly hopes his own issues will prevent Rage from making more music.

His father was a famous LA street artist who struggled with artistic visions and self recriminations. Surely Zack's friendships have been tested (I do not know the man of course), but I admire his ability to not sell out. I think he could correctly be counted among maybe five people whose murder would invoke reprisal actions of some kind. I might euqate other living people to that status, but no American politicans comes to mind.


[edit on 17-2-2007 by smallpeeps]

you might want to start a project to notify singer's and hollywood stars to use it in their lyrics

Just in case it has not been stated yet, RATM will be reuniting for this years Coachella music festival outside L.A.. Here is the link.

If I had the money I would be there in a new york second. Unfortunately thats quite a trip for me but anyone who has the chance should go. I have seen many many shows but never one with more energy than rage in Atlanta some years ago. There is still a great market share of people in America who are fed up with "the machine" and this show won't be one to miss.

Originally posted by shizzle5150
There is still a great market share of people in America who are fed up with "the machine" and this show won't be one to miss.

Yeah but live concerts are not what it's about.

HEY YO if any RATM members are listening. You need to produce music. Say like volumes of music the size of the apple records collection. You all better not be holding out on the world because you think they aren't worthy. Yeah, it may be that the 80% ain't worthy, but the tha 20% is really, really wanting more.


But the point of the thread is that music is used a lot, and I don't hear anybody whose got lyrics like this guy. It is friggin hard to rap, and if you can do it, you become a target, no doubt.

I would count Muhammed Ali in the same class of persons, when he was alive. He walked with the same weight as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr but did it in such an unabashaed style, that he had to be left alone. In fact, I believe he was silenced in some way. I just think it was done. Ali was tremendously great, and he rapped in the same voice that Zack uses, but in a different way. Yes I believe Ali got taken out with some sort of agent but in such a way that he was made to suffer as we see today. Even so, he remains vigilant and a constant source of inspiration to me personally.

Now, would Zack allow himself to be compared to Ali? I have no idea. But I gauge a person by the concert between the words they speak (the mental pictures which are drawn by their creative phrases and ideas) and how resonant these words are with their behavior.

There is a rebellious attitude which sits down in the street and says "f y'all, I am not moving, and moreover, here are some truths you cannot deny..." I think that when a person is suddenly cast into the spotlight (like Geddy Leee sings about, the gilded cage) things change and the magic is only able to be kept alive for so long.

I hope they get together again and make twenty more albums which will be listened to and played by revoltuionaries for thousands of years. But also I wonder if Zack ever gets people messing with him to stop the microphone from being rocked?

[Yes music is that important.]


[edit on 17-2-2007 by smallpeeps]

smallpeeps, if you didn't know, the other three members of RATM formed Audioslave with Chris Cornell ex of Soundgarden. It's funny, I loved RATM, loved Soundgarden, but Audioslave never really did it for me.

Anyway, I just thought I'd mention it, because they're all still good artists, and in one of those funny little twists, it appears that Audioslave broke up just two days ago:

On February 15, 2007, Chris Cornell officially announced his departure from Audioslave, issuing this statement:

Due to irresolvable personality conflicts as well as musical differences, I am permanently leaving the band Audioslave. I wish the other three members nothing but the best in all of their future endeavors.

Source.

Perhaps it is time for the comeback?

[edit on 17/2/07 by Implosion]

Originally posted by Implosion
Perhaps it is time for the comeback?

What a coincidence!

Yes, I would say it is time for the world to pay attention again. Let the notes roll, let tha rhymes rattle, let the vultures quake. Rage is coming back.

...or at least I hope so.

But in fact the whole point of this thread was to cause them to reunite, so my magic seems to be working. In any case, the question is a valid one, and yes, I think some people, when they unite, are so fearsome in their art, that nobody can compete. People just run. Nobody would mess with them because the world is paying attention. Rage is like that IMO.

I hope Rage Against the Machine re-unites. They were one of the few mainstream political bands that opened the eyes of many teens of my generation. There are many, many punk/hardcore bands who preach a similar message but none have so much mainstream popularity. Zach de la rocha's 1st band Inside Out was one such band. If you listen to this type of music look it up....................No Spiritual Surrender!!!!! "The pen is mightier than the sword"

ROCK ON

Originally posted by smallpeeps
I am wondering if an artist of some kind, might speak so much for the common or abused members of society, that his assasination would spark revolution?

My thought is that assassinations of certain poets/minstrels have actually occurred because the-powers-that-be believed that their words & message could spark a revolution. Killing the messenger has probably proven to be an effective counter revolutionary strategy by the so called elites. It is much easier to suppress ideas when those best able to voice those ideas are not around to object.