Celebrities voicing opinions concerning the war with Iraq have become a controversial issue among the everyday Joe. Most pro-war citizens cringe with frustration every time MTV shows a statement taped by Shakira or any other celebrity spouting off on a subject about which they are as ignorant as most people around the country.
One of the most political groups of our time, the Beastie Boys, recently have added themselves to the plethora of anti-war celebrities. However, they’ve differentiated themselves by incorporating their sentiments into their art.
Their new song, “In a World Gone Mad,” is available for free download at www.beastieboys.com. It is a blatantly anti-war song, and they thought it was an absolutely necessary move.
“Being together, writing and recording, we felt it would be irresponsible not to address what’s going on in the world while the events are still current,” said Mike D, an MC in the group. “It didn’t make sense to us to wait until the entire record was finished to release this song.”
The song challenges everything from the war’s motives to its funding and its beneficiaries. Though the Beastie Boys often have tucked the lyrics under the music in past work, listeners hear this message loud and clear:
“Let’s lose the guns, and let’s lose the bombs/ And stop the corporate contributions that they’re built upon/ Well I’ll be sleeping on your speeches ’til I start to snore/ ‘Cause I won’t carry guns for an oil war,” they sing.
Some have accused the Beasties of not reaching the song’s potential.
“The Beastie Boys are exceptionally clever musicians and artists,” said Dale Wood, an architecture senior. “It seems that the quality of the writing wasn’t as much of a priority as it has been in past work. The message is there, but for such a high caliber band to put out such a low caliber song on such a potent subject, it really doesn’t stand up in water.”
Current fans should not be surprised by the band’s statement, as the Beasties have headed many pro-peace festivals, such as the Tibetan Freedom Concert, in the past few years.
“I knew they’d be against the war,” said Nick Young, an LSU alumnus. “They’re still going to be my favorite band; that’s not going to change. I listen to them for the music, not their political views.”
Peyton Naquin, Young’s friend and fellow LSU alumnus, is frustrated the celebrities have gone to the lengths they have in voicing opinions and believes the Beastie Boys have forgotten their roots of partying, “rhymin’ and stealin’.”
“They’re no more important than I am concerning a war in Iraq,” Naquin said. “They have no control over what’s going to happen, so why do I need to know what they think? It’s gotten out of control. Besides, after their last album, the Beastie Boys turned into a bunch of tree huggers anyway.”
Young believes there are ulterior motives when celebrities express their political thoughts.
“They know the entertainment industry suffers during a war,” Young said. “Most of these vocal celebrities are trying to keep their pockets full, but the Beasties have consistently been vocally anti-violence, so I think their intentions are genuine.”
Wood believes the song’s effects aren’t going to be felt by those educated about the subject.
“This will sway simple-minded, naïve people who can’t form their own opinions,” Wood said. “I think it’s good for celebrities to voice their opinion, for or against. We need to be aware enough to be able to think for ourselves and not let celebrities who have no more access to information than us persuade us because they’re famous.”