Killing in the Name

Rage Against the Machine’s 1992 protest anthem “Killing in the Name” is a thunderous blast of rebellion. Centered on a crushing, repetitive riff, the song rails against institutional racism and police brutality, culminating in Zack de la Rocha’s famously incendiary refrain “**** you, I won’t do what you tell me!” (which got it banned on many stations). Despite censorship, it spread as a cathartic underground anthem. Years later, a grassroots campaign propelled it to the 2009 UK Christmas #1, proving its enduring power. “Killing in the Name” remains an uncompromising ’90s call to defiance — an explosive, cathartic track that still lights a fire in listeners.