South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has ignited a firestorm of controversy by co-opting the sombre tones of Nirvana's grunge classic for a hard-line political message. A video posted to her social media channels showcased a recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Chicago, bizarrely soundtracked by the band's 1991 hit 'Something in the Way'.
The move has been widely condemned as a tone-deaf appropriation of the band's music, which often dealt with themes of alienation and despair, to promote a contentious government operation.
A Clash of Music and Message
The now-deleted video, which was set to the track from Nirvana's seminal album 'Nevermind', showed ICE agents apprehending individuals. The choice of music has baffled and angered fans of the legendary band, fronted by the late Kurt Cobain.
Critics were quick to lambast the governor on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. One user pointedly asked if she had even listened to the lyrics of the song, which describes a desolate existence living under a bridge, suggesting a profound misunderstanding of the song's meaning.
Legal and Ethical Questions
The incident raises immediate questions about the legality of using copyrighted music for political propaganda. While the rules for politicians using music are often murky, typically a synchronisation licence is required from the copyright holder—something it is highly unlikely Governor Noem's team secured from Nirvana's label or the Cobain estate.
This is not the first time a politician has faced backlash for an unauthorised music use. Numerous artists, from Neil Young to R.E.M., have previously issued cease-and-desist letters to politicians, including Donald Trump, for using their work without permission.
Governor Noem, a staunch ally of Mr. Trump and often mentioned as a potential vice-presidential candidate, has built her national profile on a platform of strong conservative values. This latest stunt, however, has been viewed by many as a cynical attempt to garner attention, using a culturally significant piece of music to amplify a divisive political message.
The response highlights the ongoing tension between political discourse and cultural artefacts, and the potent backlash that can ensue when the two are clumsily combined.
