Chumbawamba Uncensored

01/01/1998 3:00 AM, Yahoo! Music
Bruce Haring

(1/1/98) - Anarchist collective Chumbawamba continue to rock the boat, this time challenging the master of the unconventional himself.

On a recent appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman, the group ended a rendition of their monster hit "Tubthumping" with two chants of "Free Mumia Abu-Jamal," who is currently incarcerated for killing a Philadelphia policeman.

The show's producers asked for a retake, which the band declined.

Late Show executive producer Rob Burnett told the New York Daily News that show execs were worried the CBS network might excise "a great performance" by the band, thus the request for the retake.

And the end of the story? The song aired as performed, chants and all.