Tom Morello Weighs In on Politics in Music

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Tom Morello has fired back at the age-old argument that musicians should keep their political opinions to themselves.

The debate over whether artists should speak out on political issues has been going for decades, but it's become even louder in recent years as political tensions in the United States have continued to ramp up.

Of course, if you're expecting Rage Against the Machine's guitarist to sit quietly on the sidelines, you've clearly never listened to Rage Against the Machine.

Speaking with Metal Hammer Greece, Morello addressed the topic head-on, calling out what he sees as a double standard from people who claim musicians shouldn't get involved in politics.

"When people say that musicians should not be involved in politics, it means they are people that disagree with your politics. The second that you write a song that agrees with their politics, all of a sudden they're all for it. So one, it's very hypocritical, but two, I also think that, why should you give away your free speech rights in the job that you do? Because it offends someone?" Morello questioned.

The guitarist argued that a person's profession shouldn't determine whether they can speak openly about issues they care about. Whether you're a musician, public figure, office worker or tradie, Morello believes everyone should have the right to express what they stand for.

"There's an extra hot layer of Hell for people in times of great injustice who censor themselves and remain quiet when they should have spoken out because they're afraid of some Internet troll," the guitarist insisted.

Morello also reflected on the artists who shaped his own worldview, singling out Public Enemy and The Clash as two acts that had a profound impact on him. Despite coming from very different backgrounds, both bands used their music to challenge oppression and social injustice.

Their willingness to speak out resonated with Morello and helped him feel understood, reinforcing his belief that music can be far more than entertainment.

As he put it, "every song is like a beacon of hope for somebody."

Check out the full yarn below!