About this album
Where they were
Released on December 5, 2000, 'Renegades' was Rage Against the Machine's first album after their breakup in 2000, marking a significant moment in their career. This collection of covers showcased the band's influences while highlighting their ongoing commitment to political activism through music.
Why it matters
The album reached number 14 on the Billboard 200 and received generally positive reviews for its bold reinterpretations of classic tracks. Its critical reception reaffirmed Rage Against the Machine's position as a vital voice in alternative metal, merging genres while addressing pertinent social issues.
Essential tracks
- "Renegades of Funk" — This track stands out as a powerful reimagining of Afrika Bambaataa's classic, merging hip-hop with rock to underline themes of resistance and empowerment.
- "Beautiful World" — Through stark lyrics and a haunting melody, this cover critiques societal complacency and the false notion of utopia, embodying the band's ethos.
- "How I Could Just Kill a Man" — This rendition of Cypress Hill’s hit captures the raw intensity of Rage's sound while exploring themes of violence and systemic oppression.
- "Pistol Grip Pump" — Originally by Volume 10, this track showcases the band's knack for melding aggressive instrumentation with poignant commentary on gun culture.
Release Date
December 5, 2000
Artist Origin
United States
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Microphone Fiend 5:01
- 2 Pistol Grip Pump 3:18
- 3 Kick Out the Jams 3:11
- 4 Renegades of Funk 4:35
- 5 Beautiful World 2:35
- 6 I’m Housin’ 4:56
- 7 In My Eyes 2:54
- 8 How I Could Just Kill a Man 4:04
- 9 The Ghost of Tom Joad 5:38
- 10 Down on the Street 3:39
- 11 Street Fighting Man 4:42
- 12 Maggie’s Farm 6:54
- 13 Kick Out the Jams (live) 4:31
- 14 How I Could Just Kill a Man (live) 4:30
Disc 2
- 1 People of the Sun (live) 2:44
- 2 No Shelter (live) 4:11
