2021 single by the Linda Lindas
"Racist, Sexist Boy " is an
anti-racist song
[1] by American rock band
the Linda Lindas . It is the final track from the band's debut album,
Growing Up (2022), released on
Epitaph Records . The song is about an experience Mila, the band's drummer, had when a schoolmate made a
racist comment before the
COVID-19 pandemic .
[2]
On May 4, the Linda Lindas played at the
Los Angeles Public Library for an
AAPI Heritage Month celebration, during which they played "Racist, Sexist Boy".
[3] The library soon posted a video of the performance.
[4] The video became a viral social media hit, earning praise from
Rage Against the Machine 's
Tom Morello ,
Red Hot Chili Peppers 's
Flea ,
[4]
Thurston Moore ,
[5] Bikini Kill's
Kathleen Hanna ,
[2]
Kid Cudi ,
[6] and author
Viet Thanh Nguyen , who said, "'Racist, Sexist Boy' is the song we need now".
[2] On May 22, 2021,
Epitaph Records announced that it had signed the Linda Lindas.
[7]
[8] The live version was released as a single on May 27, 2021.
[9]
Background
In March 2020, Mila de la Garza, the band's drummer, had what she described as her first experience of racism. She had an encounter with a boy at school who backed away from her upon discovering she was Chinese; he had been told by his father to stay away from Chinese people.
[10]
[2] Mila subsequently met with Eloise Wong, the band's bassist, on a five-hour
Zoom call, during which they wrote "Racist, Sexist Boy".
[11]
The song was originally titled "Idiotic Boy", however, the band subsequently learned about
ableism and opted for a different message.
[10]
[12]
Recording and release
"Racist, Sexist Boy" was first recorded during a live performance in May 2021 at the Los Angeles Public Library. The live version was released as a single later that month.
The studio version of "Racist, Sexist Boy" was recorded at Music Friends, Los Angeles.
[13] It appeared on the band's debut album,
Growing Up , in April 2022.
[14]
Composition
"Racist, Sexist Boy" was written in the key of
C major .
[15] The song is classified as a
punk rock song
[16] with inspiration from the
riot grrrl style.
[2]
[17]
Accolades
"Racist, Sexist Boy" won Best Punk Record at the
2022 Libera Awards .
[18] It was also nominated for
Best Song at the 2022
Kerrang! Awards .
[19]
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of
Growing Up .
[20]
The Linda Lindas
Bela Salazar – guitar
Eloise Wong – bass guitar, vocals
Lucia de la Garza – guitar
Mila de la Garza – drums, vocals
Technical personnel
References
^ Jones, Damian (May 21, 2021).
"LA teen punk band The Linda Lindas go viral with anti-racist anthem 'Racist Sexist Boy' " .
NME .
Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2024 .
^
a
b
c
d
e Hawkins, Derek (May 21, 2021).
"Teen rockers fire back at anti-Asian comments with a viral punk anthem: 'Racist, Sexist Boy' " .
The Washington Post .
Archived from the original on May 29, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2024 .
^ Gotrich, Lars (May 21, 2021).
"What's More Punk Than Teens Screaming In A Public Library?" .
NPR .
Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2024 .
^
a
b Bosselman, Haley (May 20, 2021).
"The Linda Lindas' Library Performance of 'Racist, Sexist Boy' Hailed by Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello" .
Variety .
Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2024 .
^ Zhang, Cat (May 25, 2021).
"The Linda Lindas Are More Than Just a Viral Punk Band" .
Pitchfork .
Archived from the original on May 25, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2024 .
^ Idibly, Leia (May 21, 2021).
" 'HOLY SH*T YES': Teenage AAPI Punk Rock Band Goes Viral for Performance of 'Racist, Sexist Boy' " . Mediaite .
Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2024 .
^ Aswad, Jem (May 22, 2021).
"The Linda Lindas Sign With Epitaph Records" .
Variety .
Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2024 .
^ Richards, Will (May 23, 2021).
"Viral teen punk band The Linda Lindas sign record deal with Epitaph" . NME .
Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2024 .
^
"The Linda Lindas – Racist, Sexist Boy" . Epitaph Records . May 27, 2021.
Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2024 .
^
a
b Levin, Sam (May 24, 2021).
"The Linda Lindas on their viral song Racist, Sexist Boy: 'It's good to let the anger out and scream' " .
The Guardian .
Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2024 .
^ Dunlea, Reed (June 4, 2021).
" 'The First Time' With the Linda Lindas on 'Racist, Sexist Boy' and DIY Punk" . Rolling Stone . Retrieved June 16, 2024 .
^ Ryzik, Melena (March 9, 2022).
"Punk Rock's New Hope: The Ferocious, Joyful Linda Lindas" .
The New York Times .
Archived from the original on December 14, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2024 .
^
"The Linda Lindas – Growing Up" .
Epitaph Records . April 8, 2022.
Archived from the original on February 3, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024 .
^ Trakin, Roy (April 8, 2022).
"The Linda Lindas Are 'Growing Up' in Public in Debut Album: Review" .
Variety .
Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024 .
^
"Racist, Sexist Boy (Live at LA Public Library) Key & BPM | The Linda Lindas" . Music Gateway . August 22, 2019.
Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024 .
^ Tozzi, Lisa (February 1, 2022).
" 'We're Putting a Piece of Ourselves Out There': The Linda Lindas Talk 'Growing Up' on Debut LP" .
Rolling Stone .
Archived from the original on March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2022 .
^ Battoclette, Augusta (June 4, 2021).
"The Linda Lindas make their TV debut with "Racist, Sexist Boy"—watch" . Alternative Press .
Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2024 .
^ Grein, Paul (June 17, 2022).
"Japanese Breakfast, Arlo Parks & More Win Big at 2022 A2IM Libera Awards (Full List)" . Billboard .
Archived from the original on September 12, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2024 .
^
"Vote now in the Kerrang! Awards 2022" .
Kerrang! . May 18, 2022.
Archived from the original on May 18, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2024 .
^ The Linda Lindas (2022). Growing Up (liner notes).
Epitaph Records . 87875-1SLE.
External links
Bela Salazar
Eloise Wong
Lucia de la Garza
Mila de la Garza
Studio albums Singles Related articles