Rip Gerber Channels Global Hardships into Call for Change with “Happy It’s Not Me”
The single is an advocacy anthem that shines a light on human suffering and the lack of compassion often shown toward vulnerable communities
Rip Gerber is not interested in playing it safe. The rising indie artist who broke out with his debut hit Three-Chord Town has returned with something much heavier. His new single, Happy It’s Not Me, is an advocacy anthem that shines a light on human suffering and the lack of compassion often shown toward vulnerable communities.
Rip Gerber on the origin of the song
The song is Gerber’s unflinching response to the plight of unaccompanied children crossing the U.S. border. Many children around the world face uncertain journeys, leaving them vulnerable to dangerous situations and exploitation. With urgency in his voice and lyrics that mix raw imagery with poetic force, Rip Gerber transforms outrage into a call for change.
Happy It’s Not Me does not just demand attention. It gives back. Every dollar from the single goes to Finding Kids, a non-profit that helps recover missing and exploited children. Since its founding in 2017, the group has reports assisting in nearly 200 cases across 35 counties in California and Nevada. Last year alone, California reported more than 66,000 missing children.
Rip Gerber says he first wrote the song in September 2024, during the U.S. presidential election. The timing, he explains, was no coincidence. “I wanted to write a protest song about the hardships people endure when fleeing difficult circumstances, highlighting the unimaginable suffering that many face on dangerous journeys,” he recalls. The track’s lyrics weave personal narrative with political indictment, and even echo Venezuela’s national anthem in the bridge.
Three-Chord Down, the debut album
The single arrives ahead of Gerber’s debut album, Three-Chord Town, due in early 2026. Where his earlier material leaned into storytelling shaped by the isolation and struggles of the pandemic, this new release shows an artist unafraid to step into activism.
Gerber’s story is as unconventional as his music. A Virginia native and third-generation plumber, he worked his way through school before earning an MBA from Harvard. His career ranged from the CIA to the tech world before tragedy led him to music. His debut single Three-Chord Town hit No. 1 on Amazon Music Charts.
