Arts·Commotion

Why the alt-right are co-opting dance music for their own agendas

Digital culture writer Kieran Press-Reynolds unpacks the troubling trend and what it might mean for dance music writ large.

Digital culture reporter Kieran Press-Reynolds shares what he's learned about the troubling trend

French electro musician NTO (Anthony Favier) performs on stage during the 33rd edition of the Eurockeennes de Belfort rock music festival in Sermamagny, eastern France on June 30, 2023.
French electro musician NTO (Anthony Favier) performs on stage during the 33rd edition of the Eurockeennes de Belfort rock music festival in Sermamagny, eastern France on June 30, 2023. (Jean-Christophe VERHAEGEN / AFP via Getty Images)

In the middle of May, Dazed reports, a video circulated online of people outside a bar in Germany chanting "Foreigners out, Germany for the Germans!" to the tune of Gigi D'Agostino's 2000 techno hit L'Amour Toujours.

Now, with reports that some alt-right communities are co-opting popular dance songs to push their agendas via social media and streaming platforms, digital culture writer Kieran Press-Reynolds joins host Elamin Abdelmahmoud to unpack the troubling trend and what it might mean for dance music writ large.

WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube (this segment begins at 15:49): 

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.


Interview with Kieran Press-Reynolds produced by Ty Callender.