Columbus‑based hardcore quartet Lucky Shot has taken a bold step by releasing the track “Call It What It Really Is.” The song, which confronts the ongoing genocide in Gaza, marks a departure from the band’s earlier focus on pure entertainment and reflects a growing willingness among musicians to address world events.
Why the song was delayed
Lead vocalist Saud Ahmed originally wrote the song a few years ago, but band members hesitated to pair such a weighty subject with their music. “All of us agreed the situation in Gaza is a genocide, but we weren’t sure it fit the direction of Lucky Shot,” Ahmed said in a recent interview. The group feared the track might alienate listeners, reduce shows, and impact streaming numbers.
Change of heart and new lineup
A recent lineup change opened the door for the song’s release. With bassist Kyra Mounts, guitarist John Huseyin and drummer Kenny Thompson on board, the band recorded a ferocious, riff‑driven track that eschews poetic flourishes for blunt language: “This is war / There’s no time for poetry / Genocide, genocide / Pick a side, pick a side.”
Artist’s motivation and charitable pledge
Ahmed explained that his decision was driven by a sense of moral responsibility. He cited other ongoing atrocities—including those in Sudan, the Congo, and the detention of Uyghur Muslims in China—as evidence that artists cannot remain silent. “To not speak on these horrors in my music feels like a slap in the face to those suffering,” he said.
All proceeds from the single and a companion T‑shirt will be donated to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, providing direct aid to children affected by the conflict.
Calling out sanitized language
The track also includes a pointed critique of media outlets, politicians and fellow musicians who use softened language when describing the situation in Palestine. Ahmed admitted he felt hypocritical for remaining quiet for two years, but pointed to high‑profile artists like Macklemore, who sacrificed a major tour slot to voice pro‑Palestine sentiments, as proof that sacrifice is possible.
Impact on the band’s reach
Since the song’s release, Lucky Shot’s Instagram following has surged from under 3,000 to more than 20,000, indicating that the band’s willingness to speak out resonated with a broader audience. The group is now working toward a fully political album that will address topics ranging from genocide to the role of artificial intelligence in art—Ahmed summed up his stance on AI with a decisive, “It has no role.”
Local significance
While the band’s message is global, the story underscores a local example of artists exercising their constitutional right to free expression. Columbus’s vibrant music scene continues to provide a platform for voices that challenge the status quo, reinforcing the community’s tradition of artistic freedom and civic engagement.
Original reporting: Matter News (Columbus) — read the source article.
