Even before Chris Rock opened his mouth to speak at Sunday nights Oscars, the tone had been set.
The track was long in the crosshairs for music supervisor Byron Phillips.
There was obviously nothing more perfect than Fight the Power for that.
Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
A lot of Oscar award show music hasnt been super aggressive, Phillips says.
We wanted just, overall, the music to be more aggressive in the show this year.
But Phillips and Rock sought something more modern and more in tune with their age group.
Youve never had a song like that pop swing open the Oscars, Phillips adds.
But Rock encouraged going with Public Enemys signature song.
[Rock] as like, Nuh-uh, I want to do Fight the Power.
There was no hesitation.
And why not do it for the Vice President?
you’re free to substitute Tina Turner for Whoopi when you talk about those traits, says Phillips.
Not loud, balls-out rock star, but cool rock star.
I think I did a pretty good job.
