What if rich, white, straight men didn’t rule the world anymore? We’d have universal healthcare, free college, and lots of other progressive ambitions, according to Kesha. Because there’s only one reason we don’t already have these very necessary policies: It’s all the white dudes’ fault.
The pop singer released “Rich, White, Straight, Men” to YouTube on Sunday. The cacophonous rant imagines a world where leaders like President Trump aren’t in charge (but cool progressives like rich, white, straight man Justin Trudeau probably still are).
“You could ride a unicorn to school,” the song begins, “and if you fall off, you’d have healthcare.” Can’t we get back to singing about relationships?
The single appears on YouTube, but not on streaming services, because Kesha released it without permission from her label, according to an Instagram post.
“hey guys sooo i hear you!! that you want my new song ‘Rich, White, Straight Men’ on streaming services…not sure how to do that personally…hmmmm – maybe @rcarecords will help me if their not too mad bout me leaking it,” she wrote. “what else do they expect from me at this point lol.”
Kesha has had a strained relationship with her label, RCA, for some time now. Since she accused her producer Dr. Luke of sexual assault in 2014, she’s been in a prolonged legal battle against him and another subsidiary of Sony Music, arguing that she should be able to cut all ties with the producer.
If she can’t rid herself of this rich, white, straight man, maybe she thinks accusing the whole bunch of them of being terrible is the next best thing.
Of course, rich, straight, white males aren’t the only ones keeping Kesha from her progressive Christmas list. But they’re an easy target when you’re feeling a little embittered toward men and 2020 is on your mind.
“If you finish school, you’d go to college for free,” she sings. “That makes sense and that’s fair. And if you were a lady, then you own your lady parts.” She also praises open borders, forcibly compelling bakers to make cakes for gay marriages, and eliminating the pay gap. Oh, and in case that doesn’t make conservatives mad enough, “God is a woman.”
Unfortunately for this single, it’s now banal to blame the ills of society on all white males. (And saying, “God is a woman,” thanks to Ariana Grande, is so last year.) It’s too bad that Kesha can’t stick to the vulnerability and earnestness that made her 2017 hit “Praying” so popular. Instead, she’s gotten political. And boring.
