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"Down Rodeo" | |
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Promotional single by Rage Against the Machine | |
from the album Evil Empire | |
Released | November 16, 1996 |
Genre | Rap metal, funk metal |
Length | 5:20 |
Label | Epic |
Songwriter(s) | Zack de la Rocha Tom Morello Tim Commerford Brad Wilk |
Producer(s) | Brendan O'Brien, Rage Against the Machine |
"Down Rodeo" is a promotional single by American rock band Rage Against the Machine which was initially sent out to various American radio stations. The song was intended as the third single from their Evil Empire album, although a domestic single was never released.
The song addresses social inequality between the rich and poor of America, and the simmering class warfare that existed in the band's home city of Los Angeles following the 1992 Los Angeles Riots. The lyrics of the opening verse, where the song gets its title, leave unclear why the narrator is driving with a shotgun through the upscale shopping district of Rodeo Drive. Although the shotgun motif suggests violence, band lyricist Zach De La Rocha stated in 2011 that the band "never advocated violence". [1] Shotguns are often seen as self defense weapons, and "Down Rodeo" was written just three years after six days of riots were sparked by police violence against minorities in the city. The full lyric must be put into context of the time period and the beating of Rodney King to be understood: "So now I'm rollin' down Rodeo with a shotgun, These people ain't seen a brown skin man, Since their grandparents bought one".
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello, and drummer Brad Wilk. The band are known for their melding of heavy metal and rap music with punk rock and funk influences, and their revolutionary socialist political views. As of 2010, they have sold over 16 million records worldwide. The band was nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility in 2017, then again in 2018, 2019, and 2021, though the bids failed.
Rodney Glen King was an African American man who was a victim of police brutality. On March 3, 1991, he was beaten by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers during his arrest after a pursuit for driving while intoxicated on the I-210. An uninvolved individual, George Holliday, filmed the incident from his nearby balcony and sent the footage to local news station KTLA. The footage showed an unarmed King on the ground being beaten after initially evading arrest. The incident was covered by news media around the world and caused a public furor.
Thomas Baptist Morello is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and political activist. He is best known for his tenure with the rock band Rage Against the Machine and then with Audioslave. Between 2016 and 2019, Morello was a member of the supergroup Prophets of Rage. Morello was also a touring musician with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. He is also known for his acoustic solo act, the Nightwatchman, and Street Sweeper Social Club. Morello co-founded Axis of Justice, which airs a monthly program on Pacifica Radio station KPFK in Los Angeles.
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Zacharias Manuel de la Rocha is an American musician, singer, songwriter, rapper, and political activist. He is best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Rage Against the Machine. Through both Rage Against the Machine and his activism, de la Rocha promotes left-wing politics in opposition to corporate America, the military-industrial complex and government oppression.
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