When I was a kid – my Dad was a massive U2 fan. Fawned over that shit. He used to dance to the ‘Joshua Tree’ album in a way only a white and slightly ageing man could. He watched The Edge on Parkinson. He even wore sunglasses like Bono…and yes, he similarly looked like a dick (sorry Dad).

The love didn’t last though, in fact it came to an abrupt halt upon their 2005 Vertigo Tour. It wasn’t that they weren’t good, it wasn’t that they didn’t play all the hits, it’s that they spent two thirds of the concert talking about their affiliated charities, flashing donate signs on the stage and urging the audience to create a ‘galaxy of donating phones’.

My dad looked somberly at his sunglasses.

‘Bono’s a cunt‘, he sighed.

Musicians – like anyone – have always had a degree of social conscience (or lack thereof) in the public sphere, and often don’t hesitate to mention it. Sometimes it’s to the benefit of their character, sometimes to the detriment.

Latest to join the ‘socially-responsible’ phenomenon in the dance music world is that dashing blue-eyed purveyor of beats, Zedd. Heading up the latest campaign of anti-smoking body ‘The Real Cost’, Zedd takes to a less-than-candid interview in the below video talking about the effect smoking would have on him. Take a watch before the rant commences, would you?

First of all, let me ask the question; was anyone under the impression that smoking does not have negative impacts on one’s health? Were you maybe under the impression that it promotes health and general immunity? No? Right. Because you’re not an idiot.

I definitely wouldn’t disagree with producers speaking out about social issues – but this message seems patronising (at best) to fans of Zedd and wider EDM. This is deepened by the whole ‘I’m a musical prodigy’ thing which fucks me off…a lot. Also;

‘Sometimes people will tell you that it’s the right thing to do something that you believe is wrong’.

…thanks Zedd.

Personally, I think that there’s nothing wrong with those in the dance world pushing social issues (hey, it’s a welcome departure than the ‘#smackmybitchup’s ‘ demonstrated by FUCKN AUSSIE LEGEND MC Eso this week…asshole.). But really? Surely there’s a better cause than condescendingly addressing the EDM punters and munters with issues and methods such as this.

Maybe we could wring out Skrillex’s lung and see if black stuff comes out?

Should producers preach? On what? And how?