Why The Village People are performing the Y.M.C.A. at Trumps inauguration events after sending him a cease and desist
America — there’s no need to feel down.The Village People are performing their 1978 hit “Y.M.C.A” at one of Donald Trump’s many inauguration celebrations.Despite sending the president-elect, 78, a cease and desist in 2023 to stop using their music after their “Macho Man” song was played at a Mar-a-Lago event and backing Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, they are reporting for duty — and here’s why.The disco group addressed the backlash on social media this week after it was revealed they will be one of the several performers at Trump’s “MAGA Victory” rally at Capital One Arena in downtown Washington on Sunday.“We know this wont (sic) make some of you happy to hear however we believe that music is to be performed without regard to politics,” Willis wrote in a Facebook post on Feb.13.“Our song Y.M.C.A.
is a global anthem that hopefully helps bring the country together after a tumultuous and divided campaign where our preferred candidate lost,” he added in a reference to Harris.“Therefore, we believe it’s now time to bring the country together with music which is why VILLAGE PEOPLE will be performing at various events as part of the 2025 Inauguration of Donald J.Trump.”The Village People’s issues with Trump using their music goes way back.During Trump’s election run against President Joe Biden, “Y.M.C.A.” and “Macho Man” became a staple throughout his campaign.
Trump also played “Y.M.C.A” during his last moments of his presidency in January 2021 as he boarded Air Force One.“We have no ill will towards the president, but we asked him to cease and desist long ago,” the group’s 2021 statement to Billboard read.“However, since he’s a bully, our request was ignored.
Thankfully he’s now out of office, so it would seem his abusive use of our music has finally ended.We hope to spearhead a change in copyright law that will give artists and publishers more control over who can and cannot use ...