Rihanna Joins Artists, Telling Trump Stop Playing My Music – Tha Wire
Today in Tha Wire several celebs like Adele, Steven Tyler & Aerosmith, Axil Rose of Guns n' Roses, Michael Stipe of R.E.M., The Rolling Stones, Neil Young and Pharrell Williams just to name a few. CNN reports since last year some of the biggest names in music have threatened legal action if #45 doesn't stop playing their music at his rallies. The list of artists who told Trump to stop playing their music is growing by the week!
Neil Young, “Rockin’ in the Free World”
R.E.M., “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”
Twisted Sister, “We’re Not Gonna Take It”
Adele, “Rolling in the Deep” and “Skyfall”
Elton John, “Tiny Dancer” and “Rocket Man”
The Rolling Stones, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and “Start Me Up”
Queen, “We Are the Champions”
George Harrison’s estate, “Here Comes the Sun”
Luciano Pavarotti’s estate, “Nessun Dorma”
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, “Dream On” and “Livin’ on the Edge” (Note: Some Aerosmith members, however, are Trump supporters.)
Prince’s estate, “Purple Rain”
Pharrell Williams, “Happy”
All of them took the same position when it came to their songs being used to hype the crowd at the Presidents rallies to drum up support from his base. The music legends have openly denounced Trump's message, citing his constant misrepresentation of facts, mean-spirited antagonistic rhetoric, and don't want to be associated with it. They say when rally organizers play their music fans can assume they're endorsing the President.
Trump's Campaign heard from Pharrell's lawyer after they played “Happy,” at a recent stop. This particular rally took place shortly after the mass shooting in Pittsburgh. The stars legal team released a statement saying, "There was nothing ‘happy’ about the tragedy inflicted on our country on Saturday [at the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting] and no permission was granted for [Trump’s] use of this song for this purpose.”
A spokesperson for British songstress Adele told CNN: "Adele has not given permission for her music to be used for any political campaigning." The latest artist to take action against the President is Barbados music superstar, Rihanna. Rolling Stone Magazine reports Broadcast Music Inc.(BMI), the performing rights company also handles RiRi's music publishing, sent a letter informing the Trump's campaign they could no longer use her music. The music diva learned #45 was playing her 2007 hit “Don’t Stop the Music,” at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga when the Washington Post’s Philip Rucker. sent out the following tweet, “Currently, Rihanna’s ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ is blaring in Chattanooga as aides toss free Trump T-shirts into the crowd, like a ball game. Everyone’s loving it.” Rihanna saw that tweet and replied: “Not for much longer.”
RiRi's camp sent the POTUS a nice little letter which read, “Trump’s unauthorized use of Ms. Fenty’s music … creates a false impression that Ms. Fenty is affiliated with, connected to or otherwise associated with Trump.” Well, of course, the President didn't take too kindly to the lack of support, but I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion.