As fireworks burst brightly over small town parades and backyard barbecues this 4th of July, two of rap‘s most unapologetic provocateurs want you to make sure you‘re proudly flying those red, white and blue American flags. Longtime collaborators Tom MacDonald and Adam Calhoun have stirred up buzz in recent years for their politically incorrect, button-pushing lyrics calling out snowflake culture. Now, they return guns blazing on their new single "American Flags," an explosive anthem that is undoubtedly fated to land amongst this summer‘s culture war skirmishes.
The Undisputed Kings of Owning the Libs
Before analyzing the lyrics of MacDonald and Calhoun‘s latest political firebomb, it‘s worth revisiting their reputations as self-styled defenders of uncensored free speech across their controversial catalog.
Canadian artist MacDonald first made waves for songs like "Dear Rappers" and "Politically Incorrect" that voiced right-wing critiques of liberal figures and causes like Black Lives Matter. Rowdy tracks like "Straight White Male" and "Snowflakes" then doubled down on bashing cancel culture and political correctness.
Meanwhile, Michigan rapper Adam Calhoun gained notoriety for similar no-holds-barred lyrics attacking the media, illegal immigration, and the Clinton family across viral hits like "Hillary‘s America." As collaborators, MacDonald and Calhoun clearly feel an artistic kinship as righteous crusaders against woke culture gone wild.
However, their brand of shock humour and confessional bars exploring addiction and mental health also showcase real creative talent when not reduced to simply trolling liberals. Ultimately, while stridently right-leaning, MacDonald and Calhoun embody postmodern artists tailoring content to loyal niche online fanbases rather than conforming to mainstream gatekeepers. This grassroots authenticity inspires diehard support even from fans like myself that lean progressive.
With context on their established contrarian personas established, let‘s see how "American Flags" delivers on their signature cocktail blending patriotism, provocation, and prodigious wordplay.
Breaking Down the Bars and Beats
Delivered over producer Nova Rockafeller‘s hard-hitting trap beat punctuated by whistles of mortar fire, "American Flags" finds both MacDonald and Calhoun in fine form. The Canadian-born MacDonald has cultivated a grassroots following through his DIY approach to releasing music, accruing over 300 million streams without major label backing. As he spits out lines like “anybody not trying to make America great again, oh no he is spitting,” you can envision his loyal fans gleefully nodding along in agreement.
Meanwhile, Calhoun acts as the fiery hype man to MacDonald‘s cool swagger. The Michigan rapper brings a rapid-fire cadence to lines like “If a seven-year-old identifies as a wolf would that be animal abuse?” This biting critique highlights the song‘s running theme of lambasting modern woke ideologies around gender and identity. Of course, by so brazenly addressing such third-rail topics, MacDonald and Calhoun are guaranteed to rankle liberal critics.
Digging deeper, that wolf line implies children are being forced into adopting trendy identities by ideologically-driven adults. It‘s a somewhat reductive take clearly deployed more for effect than nuance. Still, it prompts us to unpack complex realities around young people navigating gender discovery and supportive resources.
Later on, MacDonald throws jabs against familiar targets like LeBron James and Black Lives Matter. Such selectively callous lines seem aimed at riling critics rather than constructive discourse. Though again, their very inclusion represents MacDonald‘s upheld commitment to rejecting gatekeepers dictating acceptable topics, no matter the backlash.
Beyond politics though, lyrical standouts on "American Flags" include clever wordplay like rhyming "maniacs" with "Megan Rapinoe knee attacks." Calhoun‘s rapid triplet flow also impresses on his verse, cramming cutting critiques into tight schemes:
"Alphabet boys CDC they be testing me
Your gender studies degree don‘t mean that you testing me
Mic check, headset, I came to test the best
But if you want socialism go ahead and move to Venezuela"
Flashing equal parts wit and rage, Calhoun excels in his antagonistic hype man role that contrasts effectively with MacDonald‘s icy-veined verses. Ultimately, Nova Rockafeller‘s brilliant beat production ties this tag-team barrage together, perfectly evoking militaristic American might. Crisp snares crack like rifle fire as eerie background whistles sound haunted battlefield echoes. These instrumental elements make "American Flags" an undeniable head-nodder however you feel about the lyrics.
The Red, White and Blue as Unifier or Divider? Analyzing the Song‘s Symbolism
Controversy aside, there is an unmistakable patriotic passion that pulses through “American Flags.” “We love the country that they corrupted,” Calhoun declares at one point, suggesting a desire to reclaim national symbols like the flag and anthem from partisan rancor. And when MacDonald proclaims “that’s an American national anthem right here” before launching into another verse, you understand his ambition is to create an unofficial new musical celebration of America akin to Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”
In my view though, lines pining for less corrupted and divided times gloss over how divisions and inequality have persisted since America‘s founding along lines of race, gender, and orientation. The dreamed-of utopia free of PC culture where the flag purely unites seems more illusory than historic reality.
Still, recent statistics showing 61% of Americans feeling "extremely proud" to be American does objectively represent a decline in national affinity compared to spikes after moments like 9/11. In that context, the song clearly channels a palpable longing for restoring universal American symbols like the flag as sacred objects of broad affection and pride.
So while partisan flag-brandishing rightly draws criticisms of appropriating patriotism for narrow political interests, calls for Americans coming together around our shared banner feel more earnest here. From a passionate gaming perspective, national coming-togethers at events like the World Cup or Olympics show the power of symbolic flags and anthems to unify diverse bedrooms. In that spirit, there is an aspirational redemption to lines proclaiming the American flag "belongs to all of us. Each and every one of us."
Rallying The Troops in Defense of Red, White, and Blue
The song then closes with a literal call-to-arms, as MacDonald advocates for defiantly displaying the stars and stripes: "Go and get your American flags and hang ‘em up on your house!" This final rallying cry encapsulates the track’s central mission: to unabashedly celebrate American patriotism in an era of uncertainty and polarization surrounding national identity.
Statistics suggest this urgent rallying call is resonating. Recent Gallup polls found American pride plunging to record lows as noted above. Meanwhile, companies like Annin & Co. (one of the US’s largest flag manufacturers) reported surges up to 25% in flag sales during the pandemic as households looked to literally rally around the red, white and blue.
This symbolizes flags reclaiming non-partisan unifying status as Americans clung to shared identity anchors amidst destabilizing tragedy. It parallels examples throughout history like the memorable photograph of firefighters raising a flag over Ground Zero rubble. Just as that enduring 9/11 image unified a wounded nation, MacDonald similarly strives to inspire hanging flags as symbols reminding Americans that no matter our divisions, we all salute that same star-spangled banner.
Navigating Complexity and Nuance Around Patriotic Expression
Of course, as with his past work, “American Flags” also contains elements likely to alienate and divide as much as unite in today’s polarized climate. Assertions questioning the lived experiences of marginalized groups counterproductively frame free speech arguments through needless shock lyrics. Ultimately here, vitriol undermines valid discussions the song intends to provoke around recovering patriotic national symbols.
Because at the end of the day, the American flag ultimately represents not any one ideology, but rather the coming together of the many disparate threads that form the fabric of the nation’s identity. Nonpartisan patriotism means emphasizing democratic values that balance group pride with principles of equality and pluralism. That is why we must thoughtfully engage speech acts seeming to pit free expression against inclusiveness values.
As cultural critics, unpacking complex or controversial works like “American Flags” requires avoiding reactionary reflexes. Reasonable people can debate respectful usage of gender pronouns while still championing the First Amendment. Just as educators develop nuanced civics curriculum balancing patriotism and multiple perspectives, so too should music and media foster constructive discourse on issues like responsible flag displays.
In reflecting this July 4th on the complex, multifaceted nature of American identity politics, we must avoid absolutist pronouncements on any one meaning of the flag or other unifying symbols. Because at times, even reactionary expressions come from a longing for restoring ideals of tolerance, freedom, and unity that the stars and stripes emblemize to many.
The American project has always involved navigating between championing both individual liberties and inclusive communities among a diverse citizenry. As long as we sustain that perpetual balancing act through reasoned debate that avoids extremes, the flag shall continue waving over a nation where no matter our differences, we all proudly rally under that same red, white and blue.