The year 2000 was a significant year for the music industry, especially for the rock band, Rage Against The Machine. They were nominated for several categories in the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, which took place on September 7, 2000, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
Nomination for Best Rock Video
Rage Against The Machine was nominated for Best Rock Video for their song “Sleep Now in the Fire.” This song was part of their album “The Battle of Los Angeles,” which was released in 1999. The music video for “Sleep Now in the Fire” was directed by Michael Moore, who is known for his political activism.
The music video was shot in front of the New York Stock Exchange, and it featured the band performing on a flatbed truck while surrounded by a crowd of people. The video also featured footage of the stock exchange, and it criticized the greed and corruption of Wall Street.
Nomination for Best Art Direction
The music video for “Sleep Now in the Fire” was also nominated for Best Art Direction. The art director for the video was Chris Shriver, who is known for his work on several music videos and films.
The music video featured several scenes of the band performing on the flatbed truck while surrounded by the crowd. The art direction was focused on the contrast between the band and the stock exchange, which was portrayed as a symbol of greed and corruption.
Nomination for Best Cinematography
The music video for “Sleep Now in the Fire” was also nominated for Best Cinematography. The cinematographer for the video was Haskell Wexler, who is known for his work on several films, including “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” and “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”
The music video featured several shots of the band performing on the flatbed truck while surrounded by the crowd. The cinematography was focused on capturing the energy and intensity of the band’s performance, as well as the chaos and excitement of the crowd.
Controversy at the Awards Ceremony
The 2000 MTV Video Music Awards ceremony was not without controversy, especially for Rage Against The Machine. During their performance of “Sleep Now in the Fire,” the band attempted to enter the New York Stock Exchange building, but they were stopped by security.
The incident was captured on camera, and it became one of the most memorable moments of the awards ceremony. The band members were later arrested for their actions, and they were charged with disorderly conduct.
Conclusion
The 2000 MTV Video Music Awards was a significant event for Rage Against The Machine, as they were nominated for several categories for their song “Sleep Now in the Fire.” The music video for the song was directed by Michael Moore and featured scenes of the band performing in front of the New York Stock Exchange.
The band’s attempt to enter the stock exchange building during their performance caused controversy and led to their arrest. Despite the controversy, Rage Against The Machine’s nomination for the awards was a testament to their success and influence in the music industry.
