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The breakout song by an artist who goes by Oliver Anthony laid the groundwork to open the first Republican presidential debate for the 2024 election. But the song has notes of conspiracy theories. (www.npr.org)

submitted 2 years ago by downpunxx@kbin.social to c/news@lemmy.world

11 comments fedilink hide all child comments

gotdam frickin milkshake duck is undefeated

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[–] gAlienLifeform@lemmy.world 13 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Guy who writes a song bitching about obese people on welfare is both stupid and an asshole, shouldn't be a surprise

Holt said that it's typical for political movements to latch onto cultural artifacts like music or movies to broaden their reach. But in this case, Holt warned that the individuals seizing on the song may lead unsuspecting audiences into their extremist spheres.

Among the early online boosters of the song were Matt Walsh, a far-right commentator who has fanned anti-LGBTQ sentiment. Walsh posted the song to his X account, to 1 million views. Jack Posobiec, a rightwing activist who promoted the false Pizzagate conspiracy theory and has documented ties with white nationalists, shared it on his X account to more than 5 million views.

Not an accident, the song's author apparently thinks Jewish people did 9/11

Also, on the subject of this song being "breakout/viral" - how hard is it to manipulate streaming numbers? Harder than buying palettes of right wing political screeds to get them onto best seller charts? Because that's definitely happened before and it's all the same people involved here

[–] Anomander@kbin.social 3 points 2 years ago

Also, on the subject of this song being “breakout/viral” - how hard is it to manipulate streaming numbers?

It's seemed like the numbers there are 'semi-'manipulated in the way that Kpop can be - hugely inflated by deliberate rewatching and multi-platform streaming, but by individuals who genuinely want the song to do well, rather than bots or purchased fake stats.

It's really seemed like 'the right' sees Oliver Anthony as "their guy" and rallied behind him and his song in order to push it up the charts as an imagined way of 'owning the libs' - and I think OA's industry backing worked hard to seed that narrative among those circles in order to elicit that sort of boosterism from them.

[–] Buelldozer@lemmy.today -3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

Guy who writes a song bitching about obese people on welfare

It's one piece and everything else in the song is widely believed among voters of all political parties. The guy seems to be an honest to gosh hill billy and his song is resonating because it speaks to the beliefs of well more than half the country. Politicians are corrupt and too powerful, the dollar isn't worth shit, people don't paid enough for the work they do, taxes are arguably too high, and Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself.

I've heard those same opinions expressed by Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Greens, and even Communists for YEARS now.

So good job pretending the whole song is about the probelmatic part, then unleashing Ad Hominem on the Singer / SongWriter, and finishing up the trifecta with a Fox News worthy "Just asking questions..." aspersion regarding its rise in popularity.

His message obviously isn't for you, so climb back in your Ivory Tower and go back to staring at your art collection while sipping a nice glass of Chardonnay.

[–] RGB3x3@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

The problem with the song is that all those complaints could be fixed by proposals the Democrats have been trying to get through for years.

Inflation is way down because of the Biden administration and the Democrats have been trying to get the minimum wage raised for a decade to address poor pay. Taxes in the US are lower than any other first world country, but what we do pay we get jack shit for it, which the Democrats are also trying to improve with interesting projects, public transit, healthcare, and energy initiatives.

The singer is pandering to a Republican audience that still and perpetually believe the Democrats are to blame, when it's Republicans holding back any real improvements.

[–] Buelldozer@lemmy.today 1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

The problem with the song is that all those complaints could be fixed by proposals the Democrats have been trying to get through for years.

Please. Political corruption, homelessness, food scarcity, suicide, mental health issues, and declining wages (in real terms) exist everywhere in this country. Even in the Bluest of Cities located in the Bluest of States.

The singer is pandering to a Republican audience ...

I disagree for two reasons. First he has a video where he goes through the meaning of "Rich Men North of Richmond" and he's pretty clear about who he is, why he wrote the song, and his personal political leanings. Second he has other songs where he goes after Republicans. He isn't bitching about Democrats his anger is with the Political Class period.

"Rich Men" is a song written by a member of the American Proletariat, it's really that simple.

[–] Moeaverage@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

Preach!

[–] Moeaverage@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

I agree man! The shit that rappers can say is egregious but some of those songs are big hits. It's not politically perfect but hits on countries roots. I'm happy to listen to it because he wrote it from his soul not some A I generated words with a corporate tune imo

[–] dogslayeggs@lemmy.world 8 points 2 years ago (1 children)

What a weird choice of a song by the GOP. I mean, yeah, it makes fun of poor people who are overweight... but most of the song is about how bad the very people up on stage are.

[–] gAlienLifeform@lemmy.world 12 points 2 years ago

Incumbent Republicans have been running on "Washington DC is terrible and everyone there is a horrible crook" messaging for decades, their voters "know" it's not them the song is talking about ("know" in quotes because there's no textual basis for that belief and the literal lyrics of the song taken out of context could be describing Mitch McConnell or whoever, but Republicans have never let pesky facts get in the way of a good hate and they're not about to start here)

[–] xc2215x@lemmy.world 0 points 2 years ago

The song isn't a problem by itself but many of the people who are listening to it are problematic.

[–] Jaysyn@kbin.social -1 points 2 years ago

Conspiracy is an appropriate theme for the #fascist #GOP.