It was recently reported that a song that sounded very similar to Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” was used by Switzerland’s right-wing political party, the Swiss People’s Party (SVP). Now, Chic co-founder Nile Rodgers, who co-wrote the song, has spoken out against the track’s use by SVP.
Rodgers has released a statement claiming that he does not want his music to be in any way involved with the Swiss People’s Party. Rodgers claims that the political party shares beliefs that go against what he stands for.
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“Following reports that the right-wing SVP party in Switzerland has used a ‘We Are Family’ sound-alike song in a political video without permission,” Rodgers wrote on social media. “I wrote ‘We Are Family’ to be the ultimate song about inclusion and diversity at all levels, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.
“I condemn its use by the SVP (Swiss People’s Party) or anyone else not keeping with the values of the song and all decent people. The purpose of the song is to bring joy to all with no exclusions!” Rodgers continues. “@HipgnosisSongs, @SonyMusicPub, and @WarnerChappell are all working to have the SVP cease and desist their use of the song.” The Swiss People’s Party has not issued any sort of response to Rodgers as of yet.
This is not the first time in recent memory that Nile Rodgers expressed his opinion about current topics. Earlier this year, Rodgers discussed his feelings on AI creating music during an interview with The Daily Star.
“Right now we have to let the cards fall where they may because you can’t tell an artist, ‘You can’t paint with that color’. You just can’t do that. You have to let artists figure out what’s right and I believe that we all inherently know right from wrong and we will figure it out – this is right, this wrong,” Rodgers said.
“In a weird way I think it’s a big deal out of nothing, but it may be something wonderful,” Rogers continued. “Just like at the Academy Awards there is animation and there is real-life, there’s documentaries.”
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