AUSTIN, TEXAS: Oliver Anthony's mega-viral hit "Rich Men North Of Richmond" has caught the hearts and minds of people all around the country, rocketing the song to the top of the iTunes charts.
It also piqued the interest of Joe Rogan, a well-known podcaster, comedian, and UFC commentator.
Rogan has continuously praised traditional country artists, such as Tyler Childers, Zach Bryan, Colter Wall, Whiskey Myers, and more, and it seems as though Oliver Anthony has found his way onto Rogan’s playlist.
The 55-year-old said, “I love this song. You can’t fake authentic, and Oliver Anthony has it in abundance.”
Is Joe Rogan a fan of Oliver Anthony?
Rogan recently took to his social media to congratulate a rising vocalist on his new song. The UFC commentator is never shy about praising artists that have impressed him. Rogan was impressed with the singer's performance this time.
The majority of the commentator's attention was drawn to the authenticity of his vocal style and the lyrics of the song.
Rogan shared Anthony's video and wrote, "I love this song. You can’t fake authentic, and @oliver_anthony_music_ has it in abundance. “Rich Men North of Richmond.”
Anthony is a former manufacturing worker turned country artist from Virginia. "Rich Men North to Richmond" is a song by him that critiques the growing greed and inequality in society.
His acoustic performance captured the sorrow and anger of an ordinary man working for greedy, wealthy men.
His song became a contentious topic among some for the same reason. The song's deep message, on the other hand, captured the hearts of many, including the UFC analyst.
Rogan is not afraid to voice his affection for particular songs and movies. The UFC commentator once mentioned his affection for Adam Sandler films on his podcast, 'The Joe Rogan Experience.'
Oliver Anthony claimed to be 'dead center'
It didn't take long for the internet to draw political lines around the music, pick sides, and start a debate.
However, Anthony took to YouTube to introduce himself and explain the significance of the song. He also claimed to be politically "dead center" saying, “It touches on my time in Western North Carolina working in the factory, it talks about some people who live north of Richmond, Virginia, who I’m sure you’re very aware of. It touches on human trafficking and the atrocities that… I’ll say this, I sit pretty dead center down the aisle on politics and always have."
He added, "I remember as a kid, the Conservatives wanting war and me not understanding that, and I remember a lot of the controversies when the Left took office, and it seems like both sides serve the same master and that master is not someone of any good to the people of this country."
He continued, "But I think one of the worst things a human can do is take advantage of a child. I can’t begin to conceptualize what has to happen to someone in order for them to think that’s okay. And I think I drew the line on being quiet when I started to see that becoming normalized and I’ll leave that at that.”
He went on to say that the song's final section addressed mental health and suicide, which, along with addiction, continue to plague society in rural areas of the country, “The last part of the song, it touches on suicide rates and on mental health and depression. There’s no reason why young men and women in this country should be committing suicide."
