Multi Viral (song)

"Multi_Viral"
Single by Calle 13 featuring Tom Morello, Julian Assange and Kamilya Jubran
from the album Multi_Viral
Released November 11, 2013
Format Digital download
Genre Rap rock, alternative hip hop
Length 4:29
Label El Abismo
Writer(s) Calle 13 and Julian Assange
Calle 13 singles chronology
"La Bala"
(2012)		 "Multi_Viral"
(2013)		 "El Aguante"
(2014)
Music video
Multi_Viral on YouTube

"Multi_Viral" is a single by Puerto Rican alternative hip hop band Calle 13, released on November 11, 2013, as the first and eponymous single from their 2014 fifth studio album, Multi Viral. It features additional vocals from Palestinian singer Kamilya Jubran; spoken words by Australian journalist Julian Assange (founder of WikiLeaks), which were recorded at the Embassy of Ecuador in London,[1] where he currently resides under diplomatic asylum granted by the Ecuadorian government; and American guitarist Tom Morello, of Rage Against the Machine fame.[2][3][4]

The song covers the topic of media manipulation and disinformation[5] while referencing to protests such as Occupy Wall Street and Yo Soy 132.[1] Regarding the song, the band's singer and lyricist Residente said: "Media is controlling everything, even people's minds, everything. Here in the U.S. it's worse, it's like a bubble ... It's important to have the right information, and you are not going to get that from one newspaper or one TV show. You have to look for that. In order to get the full picture, you have to read a lot and look for yourself. Otherwise you'll find yourself in a war that you think is a good idea, but it's not for a good reason."[1]

Morello declared he was convinced to work on the song when he knew Julian Assange would take part of it. He described Calle 13 as "comrades in arms at the barricades. One of the hallmarks of their career is weaving their convictions into their kick-ass music, and that's something I've endeavored to do in my career as well.[5]

Music video

Tom Morello (left), Kamilya Jubran (center) and Julian Assange (right) guest performed in the song

The music video for "Multi_Viral" was directed by Kacho López, produced by Zapatero Filmes and shot in Bethlehem and Beit Sahour, both in Palestine.[1][6] It shows a young boy using rifle parts to create a custom guitar.[5] Amnesty International Venezuela expressed support for the video and thanked Calle 13 for their "efforts to fight violence".[6]

Charts

Chart (2013) Peak
position
US Latin Digital Songs (Billboard)[7] 39

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Garsd, Jasmine (13 December 2013). "First Watch: Puerto Rican Rap Duo Calle 13 Goes 'Multi Viral'". NPR Music. NPR. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  2. ↑ "Calle 13 Releases 'Multi_Viral' With Help from Julian Assange, Tom Morello: Listen". Billboard Magazine. 2013-11-13. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  3. ↑ "Calle 13’s René "Residente" Pérez on Revolutionary Music, WikiLeaks & Puerto Rican Independence". Democracy Now!. 2013-11-15. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  4. ↑ "WATCH: Calle 13 Releases Julian Assange Collaboration (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. 2013-11-13. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Pareles, Jon (21 February 2014). "Still Rebels, Even as Maturity Looms". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Jornada (5 November 2013). "Lanzarán Calle 13 y Assange canción "Multi_Viral", sobre la libertad de expresión". El País. Organizaciones Larrañaga S.A. Retrieved 10 January 2014.
  7. ↑ "Calle 13 - Chart history". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media.

External links