Denzel Curry Rage Agains the Machine Cover

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This was published ii years agone

Why a Rage Confronting the Machine cover is tipped to top the Hottest 100

Almost 25 years since its release '90s rockers Rage Against the Motorcar's Bulls on Parade has found an unlikely new audience – and so much and so that it's favoured to peak Triple J's Hottest 100 on Saturday.

A 'Like a Version' cover of the politically-charged 1996 song by Florida rapper Denzel Curry, recorded last Feb when the US artist was touring Commonwealth of australia as part of the Laneway Festival, has enrapt Triple J's audience and earned viral acclaim overseas.

Denzel Curry is favoured to claim this yr's Hottest 100. Credit:Julian Cousins

"The first time I saw the finished video of Denzel's performance I knew it was going to be a monster," says Triple J's music director Nick Findlay.

"[Curry and his ring] did some intense rehearsals in Sydney in the days leading upwardly and arrived at Triple J with huge energy before the mics even went on. At the finish you can see Denzel drop the mic, and not in a corny manner. I think he realised something special had happened."

For angsty-types who came of historic period in the pre-net era RATM's original remains a formative anthem, with frontman Zack de la Rocha's lyrics taking aim at American imperialism and corporate greed, and Tom Morello'southward buzzing guitar-work evoking hip-hop's righteous energy. Just why is a rap-rock song that debuted at Sydney's 1996 Large Day Out resonating then strongly with young listeners now?

"I think information technology'southward the intensity and passion Denzel exudes during this cover which resonates with people the virtually, more the vocal itself," says Findlay. "Sure it's a cracker of a track but Denzel brings to the plate a level of raw free energy that gives you goosebumps every heed."

In an interview with Triple J last October, Curry – who composite the song with a verse from his own Sirens, a rail from his 2018 album Taboo that specifically calls out Donald Trump – praised its lingering relevance, and said he did the cover to "show that everything going on at that time is basically happening all once again."

"It's already bad plenty equally information technology is, and then you've got more than of these motherf--kers feeling entitled considering [Trump] is president, which is causing a shift and dissever amongst the people," the 24-year-old told the radio station.

Apple Music DJ Zane Lowe says Curry's viral embrace reflects the current pop landscape's wider "age of agitation".

"Music is always reflecting the times and nosotros're going through a very fractured time correct at present. There'south a lot of friction then the music we're listening to has that edge," says Lowe. "Information technology's the same fashion that Slowthai and Dave are reflecting what's going on in the United kingdom, or artists similar Billie Eilish and King Princess are a reflection of the anxieties in the U.s.a.."

A new generation of listeners are craving artists, like RATM in their mean solar day, who are unafraid of being politically provocative, says Lowe.

"No one wants to hear artists just talk politics but we do want someone who's willing to contribute their opinion or vision and so they can aid the states come to terms with our own," he says. "That'south what music is supposed to practise; it's supposed to reverberate the times we live in but information technology should never be something that feels like homework."

For now we take Bulls on Parade'due south unlikely renaissance.

"Rage Confronting the Auto's messages are timeless in many regards and you tin't deny at that place is a level of anxiety nearly the futurity for immature generations," says Findlay. "I recall that combined with the ferocity of Denzel's cover has given [the song] a new life."

The Hottest 100, which has recorded more than 3.2 million votes, beating previous years, will broadcast on Triple J from midday Saturday (AEST).

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Source: https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/why-a-rage-against-the-machine-cover-is-tipped-to-top-the-hottest-100-20200123-p53u2f.html

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