Mic Check- Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine, or as most fans call them Rage, was formed in 1991 in Los Angeles, California. Their line up consist of vocalist Zach de la Rocha, Guitarist Tom Morello, Bassist Tim Commerford, and drummer Brad Wilk. The band quckily built up a cult following with their inovating combonation of Alternative rock, Rap, Heavy Metal, and Funk. Despite or indeed maby because of this odd concoction of musical genres the band developed a very distinguishing sound that focused primarily around Morello's catchy yet complete unorthodox guitar rifts, and de la Rocha's unique rhyming scheme. De la Rocha's lyrics, while at times hard to understand, are jam packed with many forms of poetical devices and thought invoking ideas on the government and society as a whole.

One of the best examples of this is the song Mic Check off their self entitled album Rage Against The Machine. A simple example a alteration is found in the line "Quicker than a fed cash tha company checks" this line is also meant to remind people just how bad some federal employs are. The Song is full of metaphors and hyperbole; in fact the whole song is a hyperbolic-metaphor for what the government has done and what we should do back
"Who got tha power
This be my question
Tha mass of tha few in this torn nation?
Tha priest tha book or tha congregation?
Tha politricks who rob and hold down your zone?
Or those who give tha thieves tha key to their homes?
Tha pig who's free to murder one Shucklak
Or survivors who make a move and murder one back?"
One of the best examples of Hyperbole in the song resides in the line "Nameless cold millions gaspin' for air" now there are not millions of people locked up by the government but there were definitely more than a few suspicious cases before this song. Setting aside all the devices and just taking a look at the overall point of view and meaning of the song is the best way to truly appreciate Zach de la Rocha's Lyrical prowess. This particular song's point of view is from the eyes of a rebel leader or preacher. Who's message is to never give up in fighting the oppressors aka the government, and that ultimately they the people have the power to change the injustices being done.



Rage Against The Machine
The Battle of Los Angeles (1999)
Mic Check
Oh Wait a minute now
Ha ha ha
Come on
Wait a Minute Now
Check

To tha young r to tha e tha b to tha e tha l
Never give up just live up
Fed upon America
We be spittin' it up
Rippin' it up
For an even amount in each cup
To my brothers burning bare feet on black top
Whose curled 'neath tha shadows
From tha gaze of tha cops
Whose huntin' for 9 to 5's through factory locks
Is now hunted on this modern day auction block

Mic Check, ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker
Mic Check, ha ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker, what?
Mic Check, ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker
Mic Check, ha ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker, what?

Check check check check the check, oh
packin

Flexin' and mashin'
With complex text
Fast and in a fashion
That snap back necks
Quicker than a fed cash tha company checks
Come with tha fire only Marley could catch
This be tha flame in tha cellar beware
Nameless cold millions gaspin' for air
Those naked and wageless
Now scream within cages
What, they make you pull your shit
Just to get your share, what?

Mic Check, ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker
Mic Check, ha ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker, what?
Mic Check, ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker
Mic Check, ha ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker, what?

Welcome down with the warrior sound, UGH!

With this mic device
I spit nonfiction
Who got tha power
This be my question
Tha mass of tha few in this torn nation?
Tha priest tha book or tha congregation?
Tha politricks who rob and hold down your zone?
Or those who give tha thieves tha key to their homes?
Tha pig who's free to murder one Shucklak
Or survivors who make a move and murder one back?


Mic Check, ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker
Mic Check, ha ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker, what?
Mic Check, ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker
Mic Check, ha ha ha ha
I be the anti-myth rhythm rock shocker, what?