Whether you agreed with Lars Ulrich and the hundred or so other artists at the time that sued Napster or not, this PSA was probably not the right way to promote it. In case you don’t remember, Napster was a file-sharing service long before streaming apps like Spotify or even before iTunes existed. It was ahead of it’s time and allowed anyone with an internet connection to share their music on their computer with others anywhere in the world. Most of the music industry took exception to this since they couldn’t control it or make any money off of it. Lars Ulrich from Metallica was one of the most vocal people to be against it and led the anti-Napster campaign.
So flashing back to the 2000 MTV VMA’s, this is when MTV still mattered to music, an anti-Napster PSA aired during the show. It starred comedian Marlon Waynes sitting at his computer in a college dorm room jamming out to Metallica’s “I Disappear” when Lars comes charging through the door. He then proceeds to put a Napster sticker on a bunch of Marlon’s stuff, including his girlfriend, and then takes it. You can see the entire PSA below.
Lars Ulrich stars in anti-Napster PSA at the 2000 MTV VMAs (2000) pic.twitter.com/lnYWXuadn1
— crazy ass moments in nu metal history (@numetal_moment) September 27, 2022
Just for fun here’s the video for Metallica’s song that kicked off it’s hatred for Napster, “I Disappear”
