Radiohead tells Department of Homeland Security to ‘go to hell’ for unauthorized use of song in ICE video
The British rock band Radiohead has expressed strong disapproval of the Department of Homeland Security using their music in a video promoting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities. The band, comprised of members Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Philip Selway, and Ed O’Brien, released a statement following the unauthorized use of their song “Let Down” in the ICE video, joining a growing list of artists who have criticized the agency for utilizing their music without permission.
This recent statement comes after Radiohead declined a request to feature their music in a documentary film by First Lady Melania Trump. The band’s stance against the unauthorized use of their music was further solidified when their song was used in the ICE video without consent. They directly addressed DHS, demanding the removal of the video, emphasizing the significance of the song to them and its impact on others, asserting that the agency cannot appropriate it without a fight.
Adding to their statement, Radiohead curtly expressed their disdain by stating, “go f–k yourselves,” in response to the misappropriation of their music. The ICE video featured a choral version of their song “Let Down,” showcasing a montage of victims of violence attributed to “illegal aliens” who were depicted as “raping and murdering” U.S. citizens. The caption accompanying the video highlighted the agency’s mission and the impact of criminal actions committed by unauthorized individuals in the country.
Radiohead joins a growing number of artists who have spoken out against ICE’s unauthorized use of their music in promotional videos. Olivia Rodrigo, after her track was used in a video depicting immigration enforcement operations, condemned the agency for promoting “racist, hateful propaganda.” Sabrina Carpenter also expressed her dismay after her song was featured in a video showing immigrants being detained, denouncing it as “evil and disgusting” and refusing to associate herself or her music with such inhumane agendas.
Despite the backlash from artists, the Trump administration has not publicly responded to Radiohead’s statement. The unauthorized use of music in ICE videos has sparked criticism from various musicians, highlighting the intersection of art and politics and the ethical implications of using music without permission for promotional purposes.
As the debate around the appropriation of music for political messaging continues, artists like Radiohead are taking a stand against the unauthorized use of their work, asserting their creative rights and expressing their dissent against agendas they do not support. The clash between art and politics underscores the significance of respecting artists’ intellectual property and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of music in promoting controversial policies and narratives.