Rage Against The Machine | Killing In the Name (1992)

"Killing in the Name" is a protest song by American rap metal band Rage Against the Machine, featured on their self-titled debut album, and was released as the lead single from the album in November 1992.

Written about revolution against institutional racism and police brutality, "Killing in the Name" is widely recognized as the band's signature song, and has been noted for its distinctive guitar riffs and heavy use of profanity.


In 1993, the song peaked at number 25 in the United Kingdom. In 2009 it became the Christmas number one when it was the focus of a successful campaign to prevent The X Factor winner's song from gaining the Christmas number one in the United Kingdom for a fifth successive year.

Rage Against The Machine
1991 - present