The right’s new favorite artist has fallen out of favor

Overnight, Oliver Anthony became the favorite musician of the American right. Left took the full distance. Then he said that he likes diversity and is not conservative.

Oliver Anthony is another example of the American right finding its own cultural expression. For generations, conservatives have complained about Hollywood movies and cultural liberals dominating the charts.

Now they can enjoy their movies and music.

With his homemade guitar and vocals, Oliver Anthony was able to achieve something Bruce Springsteen still dreams of. It reached the top of Billboard’s list of the most popular songs in America.

A few weeks ago, virtually no one, outside of Anthony’s inner circle, had heard of him or his music. Now it is being discussed literally on the right and on the left.

You can watch a video of Anthony singing his song here:

The country is in the middle of a culture war

Anthony sings that he has sold his soul to his employers and works all day for next to nothing. He wishes politicians would care less about miners in the United States, not just on faraway islands. His money no longer has value and taxes are high.

Text On the song “Rich Men North Richmond” it bears the stamp of bitterness and frustration toward politicians that characterizes large parts of the American right-wing.

Washington, D.C., is not far north of Richmond, Virginia.

“This is the message Washington needs to hear, because this is how people really think and feel,” wrote Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Xformerly Twitter.

So it is not surprising that the singer became famous when he was discovered on YouTube. But to go straight to the top of the list of important goals, Billboard Hot 100very rare.

When Republicans vying to be the party’s presidential nominee in next year’s election gathered to debate, the host opened with questions about Anthony’s song.

Then came the lows

Left was the first to react negatively to the song. the site The Socialist World website states that not only is Richmond south of Washington, D.C., but it was also the Southern capital during the Civil War. In other words, the song can be interpreted as a continuation of the civil war.

British Watchman He complained that Anthony clung to the individualistic fundamentalism of conservative Americans. The commentator believes that Anthony should have encouraged the people to organize themselves into a trade union.

This criticism was expected. But Anthony didn’t have to turn the other cheek. A lot of the swings were coming from the right.

At first, it turns out that Anthony doesn’t really speak a Southern accent, as you get the impression in the song. For some it was bad enough.

It got really bad when he said in several interviews that he didn’t recognize himself in the circles that embraced him. He distances himself from anyone who wants to use him and his song politically. He is also a supporter of the United States being a melting pot, where there is room for everyone. He has supported President Joe Biden. He says the song is as much about Republicans as it is about Democrats.

own right culture

Many in the US media see Anthony’s short path to the top as a sign that the right is in the process of cultivating its own culture.

It hasn’t been more than a month since Jason Aldean hit the top with “Try It in a Small Town.” Those who love the message of the song saluting small town America need not fear that Alden will become a closeted Democrat.

Critics interpret the song and its accompanying video as being critical of Black Lives Matter. The video was filmed at the site of the famous lynching.

Another example of new forms of cultural expression is the film “The Voice of Freedom”. When it came out, it grossed better than the last Indiana Jones movie. Critics claim that it promotes conspiracy theories. Donald Trump arranged a private screening and praised the film.