Oliver Anthony Defends 'Rich Men' From Political 'Characterizations'

Unexpected current Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping Virginia-based country performer Oliver Anthony released a ten-plus minute-long Friday afternoon YouTube video, continuing his song's conversation about sociopolitical divisions in America while also clarifying what he believes are misconceptions about him, reports The Tennessean.

His "Rich Men North of Richmond" recently interrupted Morgan Wallen's surge toward topping Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road's four-year-old record-setting 19 consecutive weeks on top of the Hot 100. Also, it added unexpected depth to a broadening revival of country's mainstream in popular culture and pop music.

Recently, his song was mentioned during Wednesday night's first GOP 2024 United States presidential election debate. Moderator Martha MacCallum asked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis why he felt Anthony's song was impacting so many lives.

DeSantis alluded to his misgivings about President Joe Biden's economic policies and the numerous policy impasses that have plagued the past four years of America's history.

"I wrote that song about those people, you know. So for them to sit there and listen to that cracks me up," Anthony joked in response to DeSantis' statement. "I see the right trying to characterize me as one of their own, and I see the left trying to discredit me, I guess, in retaliation," he said. "That's...got to stop."

Positively, Anthony thanked a diverse, global, growing fanbase (the song's RadioWV Youtube post has cleared 40 million views) that he's excited to see "[terrifying] people" who he states are trying to "make [him] look like a fool."

Though he remains unsure as to how many shows or tours he will have, he noted a desire to "have the discernment to make the right [decisions]" regarding his future and continuing to "write, produced and distribute authentic music that represents people and not politics."