Can you imagine taking a very long road trip and the only song that plays is Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing In The Name?”
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For 10 straight hours on June 29, Vancouver’s KiSS-FM radio station only played “Killing in the Name” after two morning DJs were let go on Tuesday. Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine retweeted a message informing everyone that the station let go of its beloved DJs and since 6 a.m. on June 29, the radio station has only played “Killing In The Name.”
Kevin Lim, one of the DJs, left a message on Twitter thanking their listeners for a five-year-plus journey. The duo described their end as one of “mixed emotions” but they wanted to “express one overwhelming feeling: gratitude” to their listeners.
The DJs left on a happy but sad note that dwells in melancholy, saying, “While we aren’t sure what’s next for us, we are grateful for you all. This isn’t waking up from a dream. It’s starting a new one.”
Unfortunately, the radio station stopped playing “Killing In The Name” sometime on June 30. When American Songwriter tuned in and they were playing The Smashing Pumpkins‘ “Tonight”—still a bop.
Twitter users said that the station would pause the loop to take call-in requests for the same song. The new DJs would also stop the track to describe what was happening and their reason for playing the song. This truly is the best form of protest.
The origin of “Killing In The Name” is actually in protest, as well. It was written as a protest song against police brutality, which is evident in its famous lyrics F-ck you, I won’t do / what you tell me.
Recently, RAGM announced their Public Service Announcement Tour with Run The Jewels. The North America tour begins in July and ends in August, only to pick up its rescheduled tour dates in February 2023 and end in April. You can get your tickets HERE.
Photo Courtesy of Legacy Recordings
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