#livingcolour #reaction Rapper FIRST time REACTION to Living Colour - Cult Of Personality! OMG!!!!!! Join this channel to get access to perks: / @blackpegasusraps
Well, close. No such thing as a "false idol". It's simply "idols". You're thinking about "false gods". To whit, idols and false gods aren't just statues and symbols. It's anything or anyone other than God Almighty. Money, govt., yourself, graven images, persons, etc. They all qualify.
Fascinating to me that you phrase it like that. I was raised Roman Catholic but no longer "Believe". That being said, there are SO MANY great bits of the (King James) Bible that I still think about all the time when interacting with people. 😊
@@realPenrodPooch True, but I've heard a few times that some other Christian sects consider Roman Catholics idolaters for "worshipping a physical representation of Jesus on the cross"
@@desiyoung9611 Berkee, as in NYC & Boston (and a few other places now). It's also now called the Berklee College Of Music - formerly the Berklee School Of Music.
Vernon Reid had some mad guitar riffs and solos. The man combines styles of music that back then you only heard in underground or garage bands. You'll see him listed among the greatest guitarists of all time for a reason
Wow! I have seen many black reactors react to this video and the only reaction they really say is how great the song is and how shocked they were that a group of black artists were doing rock music. You were the first one who understood the message of the song and hit the nail on the head. Wow! That's why you're one of my absolute faves! You dive deep. 🙏🙏
If you haven’t seen it already you tube channel “wondermommaog” did a great compilation video of reaction channels reaching to this song. It’s really great.
You didn't miss anything. The first time is said "only you can set ME free" the second time it comes around and says "only you can set YOU free". You got the exact message they were sending out. This song was true 30+ years ago. It's even more true today! Awesome reaction BP thanks for doing this song.
Every time I see a reaction to this song, I bring up this EXACT set of lyrics. Some of my favorite lyrics of all time!! I actually posted this before I saw your post!
@@randal_gibbons When telling the truth about corruption of the State becomes a crime you are ruled by criminals. The criminals on TV (the propagandists licensed by the state) will call you ignorant if you scrutinize “their truth”.
Fact-checking never existed until technology was exploited for truth telling, which then led to govt/globalists reclaiming technological exploitation utilizing all media hands on deck spinning PR narratives like "mis/dis/mal" information.
love how Tarja Turunen teamed up with some of the greatest guitarists around today on her Outlanders album. Filmed in Hopes Bay Antigua. Including Vernon Reed and Joe Satriani. The music very different then her usual metal/hard rock. 2 years old now. Lots of messaging about the history of the paradise Antigua is now. And her and German EDM artist Torsten Stenzel it is a summer groove good anytime and with the visualizers its amazing . And yes wrestling fans should know " IT'S CLOBBERIN' TIME!!! Thank you Phil ' C.M.Punk' Brooks. For making the point.
The song "Cult of Personality" suggests that leaders who rely on their image and personality to gather followers may not be as genuine as they appear. It calls out leaders for being narcissistic, manipulative, and dishonest, warning us about the dangers of blindly following a charismatic leader.
But it is a little gratifying to see the young brothers and sisters realise that it's not white boys making that wonderful noise. That's right. Book. Cover. Judge.
@@Metzwerg74 And until I looked him up, did not know he married his cousin! (fifth though, which I suppose maks a difference) Or if I did, had long since forgotten.
Fun fact: when the makers of Guitar Hero 3 wanted to add this to the game in 2007, the owners to the rights of the masters wanted an exorbitant amount of money. So the band came in and re-recorded the song with a new guitar solo, 19 years after the initial release.
I've thought for the longest that they had some people come and do a dang good cover for it, because the guitar solos sounded different, and didn't sound exactly the same throughout, but the singer sounded just about the same. I played the guitar hero version so many times that I got used to it and grew to like it over the original because the solos were cleaner, meaner, and the song was on guitar hero just hit harder. When I found out a few years later about them recording a new version for the game, I was like no wonder! I think the guitar hero version is the better version now probably because it was well rehearsed then.
@@leonardwashington6456 up to guitar hero 3 they used a lot of cover bands to do some of the songs without masters and getting more legal permissions from band's label. That's why I thought it was a cover band from a company called Line 6 which they used. It's crazy how record labels chastise their musicians so much. Some are crazy enough to block sound clips of their band's being used on anything like a local metal band here in Louisiana, even just to give tribute to them. The record label is actually very small and the band is their most successful band having just two albums made in the early 90s. Bands want and need the exposure to succeed. I'm pretty sure guitar hero repopularized the song for younger generations before CM Punk made it his theme music. These days, a lot of vintage music is making a comeback to inspire more. I still have my old LP of their first album and listen to it every once in a while, but I think I've worn it out 🤣
@@mnn1265 let's not pretend that doesn't go both ways - there is as much cult of personality surrounding Democrat leadership as there is Republican and has been for many, many years. There's a reason I tell people to do their own research and vote based on track record of policy, not just empty words or likability.
@@mnn1265the fact that this is where you went indicates you’re a victim of the same cult mentality they’re talking about. It doesn’t matter what cult you worship, they’re all the same, and they are just that: cults. And with the absence of religious cults we’re forced down political ones.
@@PatternRecognitionMusic Name one Democrat that has cult like status of Trump? You'd have to go way, way back in time to find anything approaching the Trump MAGA cult. If ever... So, no, I think that's false equivalency. It does happen to some degree but I can't think of anyone that even approaches the unconditional control of the party that Trump wields.
@@JaquelineGoodspeed Yeah it's saying that the ignorant people who worship money, put men in power only because they say they are good with money. Doesn't matter if its true, a lot of elections come down to who do you trust with money. Not who do you trust with the heart and soul of the people of the nation. The CoP has fortune and fame and power because his supporters worship him with their money
And that's why they never got as big as they should've. The White Rock media didn't know how to promote them, because Black, and the Black Rap/Rn'B media didn't know what to do with them, because Rock. Should've been MASSIVE, but barring this one song, they never quite broke through...
“I know your anger, I know your dreams, I’ve been everything you want to be” “I’m every person you need to be” These two lines are great and really reflect our politicians today.
For all time. Evita Perón said as much and she got her own musical. A certain German also. He got a musical within a movie then and actual musical but not not as flattering a portrayal.
Vernon Reid, criminally underrated guitar player of this era. These guys are still out there doing shows today. Saw them about 5 years ago at Disney World (Summer concert series) and they were still playing and singing great.
I seen them last year here in Australia with Extreme. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Nuno and Vernon on the same stage on the same night was a dream come true for me. 👍🏻
I was 14 when this dropped. So timeless and ahead of it's time. This is a constant alarm. A wakeup call. Pay attention. Listen to your own voice and don't get caught up in BS. This is an all time banger.
This song was a direct precursor to bands like Rage Against The Machine, and Ice-T's rock band 'Body Count', an especially of his song "No Lives Matter" which, to me, defines current times and political climate better than any have recently. It's not black vs white. It's not Democrat vs Republican. IT's VERY MUCH rich vs poor.
I am a music teacher and I talk to my students all the time about the meaning of the music that is out there. They usually don't care and as you said earlier "who cares what it's about, just vibe to it". The amount of powerful messages or negative messages a lot of my students miss makes me sad. You may be vibing to a song, which is fine to do, but you have got to stop occasionally and think about what message you are spreading through your music. The musicians are a messenger sure, but we deliver it to those around us. Whether you look at a song like this, Jimi Hendrix performance of the Star Spangled Banner, or similar songs there are very powerful messages that exist. These messages still resonate with what exists today. Thank you for looking into the messages of the music, while still enjoying the sound of it as well! This music teacher takes his hat off to you. I was 5 days shy of 3 years old when this song was released.
You got it... our chosen "REPRESENTATIVES" on either side of the fence don't represent our needs. This song captures the charismatic leader who leads to destruction and the leader who stands up for change and is silenced.
Did a paper in college on tyranny, little after this song came out. We didn't have google and such, we had to write on what we knew. Late 1980s, 1990s we had MTv, the radio, the library (good one), and class. The lyric "you won't have to follow me, only you can set me free." No one thinks they're buying in to a tyrant but we do as humans. Only broad public support can allow a tyrant to exist and that means each person individuality has to hand over his or her will to the personality. By the time the Third Reich happened many Germans were beyond skeptical but the toothpaste was out of the tube. We all have fears, internal monologue, we're subject to propaganda, bias, all that no matter what we tell ourselves. Right circumstances, right message, bad things happen on a wide scale.
I don’t remember them changing the name. (The band also spells it “Colour”) but the TV show did need to change the logo - it originally had each letter in a different color, just like the band had on its album artwork.
This song was EVERYWHERE on rock radio when it came out in 1988. It was Gen X screaming into the void that we were sick and tired of being lied to. This band should have been HUGE, but predictably America's old "go to", racism got in the way, and they were buried under a wave of white bands in makeup. 😔
The iconic opening and closing lines of Living Colour's "Cult of Personality" feature famous quotes. The song begins with a snippet from Malcolm X's "Message To The Grass Roots" speech in 1963: "And in the few moments we have left, we want to talk right down to earth in a language that everybody here can easily understand." The title itself is inspired by Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev's 1956 report titled "On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences," which criticized Joseph Stalin's use of oppression and brutality . The riff that defines the song was improvised during a rehearsal session, making it a special and powerful track for the band.
BP you get it! I was 15 when this came out. I was stunned by its truth telling. I played this for my mom who was not a hard rock fan and she couldn’t believe it! She said it was the most truth and accurate telling of the powers that be not only in this country but around the world. My family is military and police officers so I can say I was raised a patriot and that day my mom sat me down and explained why we should never idolize a human being ever. Why we should always question everything. And why we hold true to our morals and values of God, Country and Family in that order, and our “country” wasn’t the American Gov but her citizens. We protect the constitution at all costs and pray for wisdom every day because the world cult of personalities are NEVER on our side. Thank you for opening this song up to a new generation that desperately need to hear it! Peace..
Being a Military brat and Army vet I resonate with your family teachings. We need this to be taught in schools again, But we know common sense isn't common and few have the discernment to question everything!
The American government IS her citizens. We govern ourselves through our elected Representatives. But we've gotten lazy and passed our responsibilities on to them which has made them more powerful than we are. We the people hold the most important office in the country, that of American Citizen.
As a veteran, I love this... I try to tell others, I vote to protect the constitution - not a person & not the flag - the CONSTITUTION against ALL enemies, foreign AND domestic...😢
@@randal_gibbons I agree 100%. We are a constitutional republic, but that fact hasn’t been taught in school (intentionally) for decades. And because of this, no one under my generation even knows what that means. I am a Gen X’er and I believe every generation younger than mine have zero clue of the greatness of our incredible country. Quite the opposite, all the schools, the media and all things social media repeat the mantra that America is a bully and fundamentally flawed and evil. It’s hard to bring up the next generation of patriots when the powers that be have carefully constructed a system to stay in power. And that system isn’t a call for patriotism, truth and excellence.
HIs solo album "Mistaken Identity" was a road map to a future of "hip hop" that never happened (says the old white guy). Even on its own, it is sadly overlooked as a work of musical genius.
I was 11 years old when this song, came out!!!! My parents didn't let it's message, slip by me as I was rocking out too it. When the Berlin wall was being torn down, they made a point, too tell me too remember this, cause it was a pivotal point in history, happening in my life time!!!!
“How have I not seen this group before”? Me: I saw them live five times; first in ‘88, last in ‘23. Living Colour has been around for a long time, and their catalog is GREAT!
The first line was "Only you can set *me* free" and the second was "Only you can set *you* free". The first one meant "You set me free. I'm in power and controlling you *because* of you.".
Vernon Reid, the lead guitarist was the driving force here. Corey Glover, the lead singer, also did some acting. He was in Platoon. Glamour Boys is a fun track from the same album with a video too.
Middleman is a great track as well. When they first broke into the mainstream they opened do “THE” Rolling Stones. One of the best live shows I have seen ever and they are still touring almost 40 years later!!!
WOW ? Very Surprising to me, with you being in the music industry for so long, because when they came out they were huge. Open Letter a good one too. The band came out in 1988.
@@MamaJewels99 No. It's not. Obama created more hate than any other president in my lifetime and I lived in the south in the late 60's, early 70's and my parents were hippie musician activists. Odetta sang me Happy Birthday and Winnie the Pooh when I was 5. I was at the center of the zeitgeist of the time and I can ASSURE you that things were getting so much better till Obama used racism as a political tool.
Cult of Personality, a pejorative term for a group that idealizes a leader and subscribes to common political,social,religious or philosophical beliefs.
First used in reference to the ideological cult which the individual who falsely named himself a "man of steel" ("stalin" **puking**) grew around himself. Later, applied to all types of tyrants, cultists and oppressive subjects of idolatry, worldwide. 👍
@@truckinleprechaunscottcask9747 I saw no sign of the _Total Devotion Syndrome_ that infects the MAGA cult. He wasn't waxing poetic about getting to lick Trump's boots, or cheering for the sniveling orange coward.
I grew up on 80's Hardcore Hip Hop and got into this group after hearing the guitarist Vernon Reid played on Public Enemy's " Sophisticated Bitch". The album "Times Up" was a musical revelation, learning about Vernon Reid's organisation The Black Rock Coalition and the real history of black people and rock music. Incredible band and a wellspring of musical knowledge for those who want to learn.
Dude the best part is they are still playing and still rocking hard. I laugh when I hear people say "why have I never heard of them" then fail to connect the message to that question. Television is the message of "allow us to show you what we want and manipulate you into thinking\feeling what we want". (fine when the premise is entertainment but as news it is oppressions in action) Social media is designed to maintain the construct of addiction and provide leverage against the population. It all revolves around the cults of personality making more money and accumulating more power.
The opening was from Malcom X's speech "Message to the Grass Roots". The title was penned by Nikita Khrushchev in response to Joseph Stalin "On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences". Other historical figures seen and heard in this video include JFK, FDR, MLK, Benito Mussolini, and Mahatma Gandhi. According to Vernon Reid, "a famous German" was originally also in the lyrics but was pulled due to fear that referring to him would be misconstrued and too controversial. I do know of history teachers who have used this song in class. This song was released in 1988 but could have been written today. For another song with tons of messaging try Living Colour - Open Letter To A Landlord.
This is one of my favorite songs. The message is deep and powerful. Most people don't know what the meaning of cult of personality. It slid in under the radar and is still in practice today.
YOUR FACE in first 30 seconds or so!!! Not what you expected?? Lol. SOOO glad you did this one. When you commented about politicians, our country, and that fact that we have to save ourselves, not expect gov't. to save us, I got goosebumps knowing the J.F.K. quote was coming up "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" I could hardly stand it~ and your reaction when you heard it was worth the wait!! Priceless. Thanks again!!
The first two choruses use one different word each. Both take a different direction, yet both carry equal strength. On you can set ME free: leaders can't be given relevance without the following. Only you can set YOU free: you are the source of your own strength.
Welcome to the Living Color rabbit hole! This song blows everyone's mind when they first hear it. I STILL listen to "Vivid," which is their debut album that this song is on, AND IT IS THE FIRST SONG!!! One of the best debut rock albums to ever be released.
The intricacies of the lyrics! OThere is a lyric that is almost repeated, but with a SLIGHT change. The first time it reads, "Only you can set ME free." Which means it's the follower that gives the cult leader his power. The SECOND time, it's "Only you can set YOU free." Only YOU have the power to disentangle yourself from the cult. Incredible lyrics!!
The message is as old as time, only the delivery system has changed. The first "Only you can set me free" is the charismatic powerful leaders can only wield the power we give them. The second "Only you can set you free" is the affirmation that breaking from their influence is on the individual. At least that was how i viewed it when I first heard it. Great song and Vernon Reid shreds.❤
This band was SO underrated 😤The band, his vocals…such a shame they weren’t more appreciated-how many black rock bands can you think of? Epic and such a shame everyone doesn’t appreciate their message as you acknowledge it as it should be🥰🖤
For more from Living Colour, I strongly recommend "Open Letter to a Landlord" and "Type". Strong, strong social commentary in those Living Colour songs as well.
Great concert. I saw Living Color, Guns and Roses, then The Rolling Stones. Eric Clapton came out and played a song with Mick ang Keith. Never forget that show.
In the 80s and 90s "black" music stations and outlets did not consider this a black band and so they wouldn't get play in the black mmusic community. That's part of the way media manipulates what black identity is rather than reflecting what black people are actually like.
I was 14 when this song came out, and I always loved it. I listened to rock music all the time, but besides this band and later Hootie and the Blowfish, i seldom saw people who looked like me singing rock.
Have you ever listened to Sevendust? Lead singer, Lajon, is black and he has some amazing vocals in their songs. They have a song, Licking Cream, that features another black singer, Skin of Skunk Anansie, that has amazing vocals. It's my favorite song by Sevendust.
Saw these guys at The Riviera in Chicago in '88. IT. WAS. INCREDIBLE. Still a top five show for me. Fun fact: the lead singer (Corey Glover) was in the movie Platoon shortly before this album was recorded. Also, this band was the ONLY band that wrote me back when I was at war in Desert Storm. Great guys.
Living Colour was the opening band on The Rolling Stones "Steel Wheels" tour. I was among 65,000 people at their tour date in Clemson SC in 1989 and Living Colour absolutely stole the show. I was already a Living Colour fan and had their album "Vivid" which is full of one great song after another.
Now you gotta see how powerful this song is as CM Punk’s entrance in Chicago. Legit legendary. Especially with the message both the band and Punk stand for.
Pegasus might have heard the music without being able to hear the lyrics. I don't know if he would follow wwe, but he might be more familiar with Bellator. As Phil Brooks aka CM Punk was a terrible mma fighter, but he was trying to make some coin following Brock Lesnar making a splash as a fighter.
Best black rock rock group ever. Honestly, having seen them live, they are arguably a top ten hard rock acts of all time. You should also review Type and Elvis is Dead by these guys if you like this track. Its a crime how under recognized they are.
You know, BP... we have some differing views. That's totally fine. that's what a Dialog is... a Discussion. a Discourse. I agree with you totally on this song, though. I do think though... that anyone who wants to be president or a king or whatever, they might be a sociopath. No one should ever want that kind of power. And now we have what we have now... which is really really bad. as you said... no one seems to be good. And the Cult of Personality is in full effect. And yeah, the juxtaposition of Stalin and Gandhi is very apt. Both of them were great leaders... in certain parts, and both of them were not really great people either... Same with Kennedy. Same with Mussolini. And they all managed to get people to believe in them... like almost to a religious level. Yeah man.. scary stuff. So glad you lost your mind on this one. Also, one other thing... after listening to the rest of what you have to say after the song... Damn right you're a Patriot. I love America, too, and the great thing about America is we can be very very critical of our country. It's our right. I love America, but I am not happy with my Government either. I don't know if I've EVER been happy with it, and I'm almost 50. I could go on and on, but man, don't ever worry about "getting Political" it's commentary. and for a song like this, it's totally just.
It's at the point now where people blindly follow one person/party or the other and if you think different about other side/person's policies there's no conversation to be had anymore. Best thing, imo, that people can do is be an independent, don't align with a party and evaluate the policies someone is going to put forward or the policies they've done previously, remove the persona and party from the equation. It seems to me that keeping the majority of the population at each other's throats just makes it easier for us all to be exploited. Being in our govt was never supposed to be profitable, it was service to the country, we've lost our way quite a bit. Have to be able to talk to each other or it's only going to get worse
I saw that YOU were watching this for the first time & clicked immediately 😆 I saw Living Colour open for The Rolling Stones at Tampa stadium in '89 or '90. I went to see them, not rolling stones 😎🚬 #GenX
Living Colour came out in 1984. They hit their highpoint of popularity when they put out their first album "Vivid' in 1988. It produced their biggest hit "Cult of Personality" and the group rode high for the next few years, even appearing on Saturday Night Live. The band called it quits in 1995 but got back together in 2000 and are still making music today. They have put out 6 albums and have a large and devoted following.
You are spot on!!! The politicians only care about the money. American values, God, country and family is what we need and stand for. I listened to this band and they were ahead of their time.
This song is so deep and relevant at almost anytime in the last 30 years. Any politician, on either side, is still a cult of personality. Whether its going to war, or attempting an insurrection they arent really about the people but their own personal power.
I have always loved this song, was 18 when it came out. Really loved your deep dive into the lyrics. Just my opinion, but I believe one of our biggest problems are kids being taught what to think instead of how to think.
Really makes you think. '88 was the year I graduated high school lol. Still have this song on my playlists. Amazing message, amazing guitar, everything I need in a song.
Most definitely worth jumping down the rabbit hole with not only the band but each member. There is so much more than you can imagine. LOVE THEM!!!!!! Another amazing artist that you will love....Paulo Nutini ~ Iron Sky