Watching this video, you know who the designated enemy is: The Israeli occupation army. Yet, Residente (lead vocalist of Calle 13) does not make it so simple. His lyrics do not vilify one group of people, but rather acknowledges the neoliberal systems that produce subjectivities that occupy, lie, misinform, deceive and so on. His lyrics position ‘the people’ against the lying Press, the State, and the Army; a fight that can be relevant to almost any nation-state.

What is most compelling about the video is how it implicates the viewer. I bet, throughout the video, you and I both thought the same thing: The young boys were planning to shoot the soldiers. We were both probably rooting them on (shamelessly, too). Yet, they turn around and surprise us by fighting with music. Here, Residente is really mirroring the sampled Julian Assange speech: A new world is forming. The boys are telling us to fight using new tools, new paradigms and new mindsets: With music, not weapons.

And, now, I almost feel shameful for having rooted for them to violently quell the occupation. Residente places the audience member in a way that requires them to have “Reason command me”, as he says. A new reason, one that places music, culture, and art vis-a-vis the guns.

Yet, it is not a pacifist song. This is not a flowery anthem for those of us who are agnostic about violence. Rather it is a rallying call to pick up our ‘guns’ ones of reason, solidarity, and art in very intentional ways. Art then is an arsenal, if you choose to make it so. Taking us back to the little boy’s bedroom, Residente is placing the guitar in our hands. ‘Elbow to elbow, step by step’: This is not a romanticization, this is a command.

 

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Calle 13 is a Puerto-Rican band with famously political songs, including Latinoamerica and Atrévete Te, Te. Their lyrics often target U.S. imperialism and political elite.