AUSTIN, TEXAS: Oliver Anthony, the singer of the hit 'Rich Men North of Richmond', recently appeared on Joe Rogan's podcast after his song debuted at No 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The two talked about a wide range of subjects, including what Rainn Wilson said in response to Anthony's song.
What did Rainn Wilson say about Oliver Anthony?
Rogan brought up what Wilson had said about the song during an episode of his podcast.
On August 20, Wilson criticized the song's lyrics, suggesting they should focus on CEOs earning 400 times their average salary and corporations operating without taxes, rather than addressing obesity and welfare.
Rogan criticized Wilson during his podcast with Anthony, saying it was amusing when "millionaires talk s**t about billionaires."
Wilson is an actor, comedian, podcaster, producer, director and writer who has won an Emmy. Wilson gained prominence after he played Dwight Schrute in the NBC comedy 'The Office'.
Wilson tweeted, "If I were writing a song about “rich men north of richmond” I wouldnt talk about obese people on welfare."
He added, "I’d sing about CEOs who make 400 times their average workers salary (up from 50 times 30 years ago) & corps that pay zero taxes & offshore tax shelters for billionaires."
Joe Rogan criticizes Rainn Wilson
Rogan found Wilson's remark offensive. In response, Rogan claimed that the song had become a "subject of discussion" and that "everyone was getting involved."
Rogan said, "There is nothing funnier than millionaires talking s**t about billionaires. There is nothing funnier about millionaires pretending, ‘These billionaires are out-of-touch.’"
Rogan added that it might be time to take Dwight to any of the southern regions of the country, like West Virginia, and force him to visit the coal mines.
Rogan said he should be talk to the workers there to witness the "extreme poverty" that the Appalachian region is dealing with.
Rogan also mentioned how the neighborhoods were already devastated by poverty and drug abuse.
Hearing Rogan defend his song, Anthony stated that poverty and drugs were "big issues" in rural Virginia.
He added that such conditions could be seen not just in rural areas, but also "any downtown anywhere for that matter," including downtown Richmond.
Anthony said that he believed these issues "exist everywhere now," which was why "the song resonated the way it did."
He also said that he was allowing people take their time in determining "what's true and what's not."
Anthony said that he was happy to be able to amuse everyone and distract them from “all the other horrible stuff that’s going on in the world right now,” even if it meant allowing people to make fun of or criticize him.
