For decades, musicians like Ian macKaye and Jeff Nelson (dischord) and hip hop artists like Chuck d have worked hard to provide us with an alternate business model to the monstrousity this post describes. The mainstream may have some decent music, but the underground comes with principles and integrity.
Qasim, a quick housekeeping question: My subscription is up for a renewal. Looks like my credit card has “rejected” the renewal charge twice. I want to renew and keep reading your work. Is this a Substack issue? Anyone else having similar problem?
You are constantly educating me and encouraging me to new levels of advocacy. In order to understand the far-reaching effects that dirty money has on world affairs, we have to be told about what is happening. Bravo.
Thanks for exposing the people who we don't think of as actual criminals. The internet has helped the people who try to do good as well as the criminals who try to ensnare us. The internet has to be made more balanced, if possible, otherwise we are just cogs in the wheel. One man can turn a country from democracy into a theocracy (hence allowing churches to donate in the elections to high office) without losing their Tax Free status! Or an oligarchy (that rewards his fellow officials with jobs they are not qualified for) in order for them to get rich too! Putin showed Trump that trick. Also, at the same time he can use the laws that are supposed to protect THE PEOPLE to just protect himself! Things need to change, especially as the "tech bros" are using AI to report on our every need, space, whereabouts and health etc. We are at their mercy. Hello George Orwell, you poor sod who thought it was only fiction! Or maybe he didn't and was really before his time.?
Excellent article. Thank you for shining the light on who we support. “If you listen to music you should care about who profits while you stream.” Just as we should investigate and boycott other companies as well, for me, Home Depot, Amazon, Target, and Spotify. Support businesses that share your values. Just ask Tesla how boycotts work.
That’s just it … ‘they’ ( everyone in power or ‘control ‘) banks on the collective apathy of the masses . For many people it’s just ‘too hard’ to protest . To raise their voices against the injustices , corruption , greed etc etcetera … why bother ? Who’ll listen ! Or won’t change anything ….
Bur eventually it WiLL implement those changes .
Look at history . Really … look at ALL the history . Look at all the fallen empires ….
It's very telling that not a single major artist has spoken out against fascism with the exception of Bruce Springsteen. If there have been others, please share because I haven't heard pushback from any of them.
Same with Hollywood. The biggest name I've heard from that quarter are Robert deNiro in an awards speech and John Cusack, who spoke at a protest a few months ago. Major athletes are also suspiciously quiet. I have been pointing this out for months and nothing has changed.
During Trump's first term, a lot more celebrities were speaking out. Don't get me started on how late the few big names who endorsed Harris were. Last minute, too late to encourage voter registration or mobilize their fanbases. Most did not speak up before the election and none that I'm aware of since. Oh, except the "we didn't authorize Trump to use our music" artists, like Nancy Wilson from Heart. That's it.
It's truly shocking how many celebrities would rather hide out and protect themselves than speak up for democracy. We're on our own out here.
For decades, musicians like Ian macKaye and Jeff Nelson (dischord) and hip hop artists like Chuck d have worked hard to provide us with an alternate business model to the monstrousity this post describes. The mainstream may have some decent music, but the underground comes with principles and integrity.
Qasim, a quick housekeeping question: My subscription is up for a renewal. Looks like my credit card has “rejected” the renewal charge twice. I want to renew and keep reading your work. Is this a Substack issue? Anyone else having similar problem?
Informative. Thank you.
WTAF??? SIGNED!
You are constantly educating me and encouraging me to new levels of advocacy. In order to understand the far-reaching effects that dirty money has on world affairs, we have to be told about what is happening. Bravo.
Signed!
There’s so much wrong with the music industry. This is a good start.
Thanks for exposing the people who we don't think of as actual criminals. The internet has helped the people who try to do good as well as the criminals who try to ensnare us. The internet has to be made more balanced, if possible, otherwise we are just cogs in the wheel. One man can turn a country from democracy into a theocracy (hence allowing churches to donate in the elections to high office) without losing their Tax Free status! Or an oligarchy (that rewards his fellow officials with jobs they are not qualified for) in order for them to get rich too! Putin showed Trump that trick. Also, at the same time he can use the laws that are supposed to protect THE PEOPLE to just protect himself! Things need to change, especially as the "tech bros" are using AI to report on our every need, space, whereabouts and health etc. We are at their mercy. Hello George Orwell, you poor sod who thought it was only fiction! Or maybe he didn't and was really before his time.?
Excellent article. Thank you for shining the light on who we support. “If you listen to music you should care about who profits while you stream.” Just as we should investigate and boycott other companies as well, for me, Home Depot, Amazon, Target, and Spotify. Support businesses that share your values. Just ask Tesla how boycotts work.
The billionaires always look like they eat children as their only means of sustenance.
He looks like the creature from The Labyrinth
Done
Thank you Qasim, I had no idea.
Here's some music you might like...
https://youtu.be/DBp28JFoxro?si=4V9woKXuV57DmPS7
That’s just it … ‘they’ ( everyone in power or ‘control ‘) banks on the collective apathy of the masses . For many people it’s just ‘too hard’ to protest . To raise their voices against the injustices , corruption , greed etc etcetera … why bother ? Who’ll listen ! Or won’t change anything ….
Bur eventually it WiLL implement those changes .
Look at history . Really … look at ALL the history . Look at all the fallen empires ….
Just saying !
What next ? Maybe Mickey Mouse masquerading as an ICE agent hub ??!
It's very telling that not a single major artist has spoken out against fascism with the exception of Bruce Springsteen. If there have been others, please share because I haven't heard pushback from any of them.
Same with Hollywood. The biggest name I've heard from that quarter are Robert deNiro in an awards speech and John Cusack, who spoke at a protest a few months ago. Major athletes are also suspiciously quiet. I have been pointing this out for months and nothing has changed.
During Trump's first term, a lot more celebrities were speaking out. Don't get me started on how late the few big names who endorsed Harris were. Last minute, too late to encourage voter registration or mobilize their fanbases. Most did not speak up before the election and none that I'm aware of since. Oh, except the "we didn't authorize Trump to use our music" artists, like Nancy Wilson from Heart. That's it.
It's truly shocking how many celebrities would rather hide out and protect themselves than speak up for democracy. We're on our own out here.
Mark Raffalo, Guy Pearce, Dave Chappelle and a few others have also spoken out.
Billionaires bank on our ignorance about the world, but I’m thankful to read and share this article! 🤍