Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello tackles police brutality in 'Stand Up'

by: Rachel Narozniak Jul 6, 2020

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Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello is addressing police brutality and systemic racism alongside The Bloody Beetroots, Imagine Dragons frontman, Dan Reynolds, and black transgender artist and activist, Shea Diamond, on “Stand Up.” Lyrically, the collaboration does not shy from either topic. Reynolds can be heard singing,

“When I call the police will they just kill me? Will they just kill you?When I call the police will they just protect me cause I’m white skinned too?”

At the bridge, Diamond verbalizes,

“If you walked a mile in my shoes. You’d probably take ’em off wouldn’t you? If you had to live in my truth. You’d probably tell a lie wouldn’t you?”

Proceeds from streams and sales of the song will benefit The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Know Your Rights Camp, the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, and the Southern Poverty Law Center. “Stand Up” is Morello’s first fresh material since his assistance on Vic Mensa‘s 2019 LP, 93PUNX.

Featured image: MasterClass

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Make no mistake—dance music is born from black culture. Without black creators, innovators, selectors, and communities, the electronic dance music we hold so dear would simply not exist. In short, dance music is deeply indebted to the global black community and we need to be doing more. Black artists and artists of color have played a profound role in shaping the sound and culture of dance music and now more than ever, it is necessary for everyone in the music community to stand up for the people that have given us so much. Dancing Astronaut pledges to make every effort to be a better ally, a stronger resource, and a more accountable member of the global dance music community. Black Lives Matter—get involved here:  

Black Lives Matter

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National Lawyers Guild Mass Defense Program

Black Visions Collective

Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Legal Defense Initiative

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Color of Change

Committee to Protect Journalists