Nation-folk singer Oliver Anthony is denouncing politicians, specifically conservatives, and people attempting to make his hit tune “Wealthy Males North of Richmond” the brand new right-wing anthem.
In a 10-minute video shared on YouTube on Friday, the musician stated, “The one factor that has bothered me is seeing folks wrap politics up on this. I’m dissatisfied to see [it]. Like, it’s aggravating seeing folks on conservative information attempt to establish with me, like I’m certainly one of them.”
Anthony’s feedback come after the GOP’s first debate of the first season in Milwaukee on Wednesday. A clip of the tune was performed initially of the controversy and moderator Martha MacCallum additionally referenced the tune within the first questions, asking Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, “Why is that this tune placing such a nerve on this nation proper now?” In his response, DeSantis took intention at President Joe Biden, Congress and authorities spending whereas addressing the tune.
Within the video, the singer stated, “It was humorous seeing my tune at that presidential debate. As a result of I wrote that tune about these folks, you recognize, so for them to have to sit down there and take heed to that, that cracks me up. It was humorous type of seeing the response to it.”
He continued, “That tune has nothing to do with Joe Biden. You already know, it’s rather a lot larger than Joe Biden. That tune’s written concerning the folks on that stage and much more too, not simply them, however undoubtedly them.”
Earlier this week, Anthony’s “Wealthy Males North of Richmond” topped the Billboard Scorching 100, making it the primary tune by an artist with no earlier chart historical past to open at No. 1. Following the tune’s launch earlier in August, many Republicans have praised the observe for its lyrics critiquing large authorities. However some liberals have additionally criticized the tune, saying some lyrics promote adverse stereotypes of welfare recipients.
The artist stated it has been tough attempting to “get a message out about your political ideology or your perception concerning the world in three minutes and a few change. However I do hate to see that tune being weaponized, like I see. I see the proper attempting to characterize me as certainly one of their very own. And I see the left attempting to discredit me, I assume in retaliation. That shit’s gotta cease.”
Later within the video, Anthony stated he additionally wanted to “handle the left” as a result of “they’re sending a message out that … ‘Wealthy Males North of Richmond’ is an assault in opposition to the poor. For those who take heed to my different music, it’s apparent that each one of my songs that reference class defend the poor.”
He added, “I do perceive there could also be some individuals who misunderstood my phrases in ‘Wealthy Males North of Richmond.’ However I’ve bought to be clear that my message, like with any of my songs, it references the inefficiencies of the federal government due to the politicians inside it which are engulfed in bribes and extortion.”
Although he’s excited concerning the tune’s world success, the singer added that the folks he’s seen responding to the tune are “not conservative folks” or “even essentially Individuals.”
“I don’t know that I’ve seen something get such a constructive response from such a various group of individuals, and I feel that terrifies the folks that I sing about in that tune,” he stated. “They’ve performed all the pieces they’ll within the final two weeks to make me appear like a idiot, to spin my phrases, to attempt to stick me in a political bucket. They usually can preserve attempting, however I’m simply gonna carry on writing.”
And whereas he doesn’t know what’s subsequent for his music profession, Anthony famous that he’s “going to remain true to my phrase. I’m going to put in writing, produce and distribute genuine music that represents folks and never politics.”
