VOX POPULI

"VOX POPULI" (Latin for "Voice of the People") explores themes of demagoguery versus monarchy and the power of media manipulation. The song illustrates how a charismatic leader (Vox) can co-opt the grievances of the masses to usurp established authority (Lucifer), even if that authority holds greater raw power.

The lyrics highlight the conflict between Old Hell and Modern Hell. Lucifer represents the ancient, biblical power structure—feared but distant and seemingly out of touch. Vox represents the modern age of information, technology, and capitalism, using the language of "investing" and "manifest destiny" to sell a dream of upward mobility to the sinners.

Crucially, the song exposes Vox's manipulative tactics. By provoking Lucifer and then framing his restraint as weakness, Vox successfully paints the King as impotent. The title itself is ironic; while Vox claims to speak for the people, he is actually using them as pawns in his power grab against the Morningstars. Lucifer's verse serves as a reminder of his true nature as the entity who introduced free will (the fruit of knowledge) to humanity, contrasting his genuine cosmic significance with Vox's manufactured celebrity.

The song opens with Vox (the TV Demon) addressing Lucifer with condescending mockery, comparing the King of Hell's actions to a child seeking attention. Vox quickly pivots to address the citizens of Hell, positioning himself as their true leader and savior. He employs populist rhetoric, chanting about "Manifest Destiny" and promising a new world order where sinners can take control of their own fates—specifically by investing in him and the Vees. He incites the crowd by questioning if they are satisfied with their endless suffering under Lucifer's negligent rule.

Vox strikes a personal nerve by mentioning Lucifer's wife, Lilith, suggesting her absence is due to Lucifer's failures. He taunts Lucifer to strike him down, gambling on the King's reluctance to use his full power, shouting, "Smite me! Silence me!" When Lucifer hesitates, Vox declares him weak, claiming the King is chained by his own past.

The dynamic shifts as Lucifer retorts, launching into a powerful rock section. He asserts his ancient dominance, declaring, "I'm the serpent, I'm the flame," and reminding everyone that he is the original rebel who "got no chains on me." Despite Lucifer's display of raw power and vocal prowess, Vox manages to spin the narrative back to his favor, rallying the crowd with the chant "Vox Populi, the people's voice," effectively drowning out the King's warning and consolidating his influence over the masses.

"VOX POPULI" was released in November 2025 as a key track in the Hazbin Hotel: Season Two (Original Soundtrack). The song is featured in Season 2, Episode 5, titled "Silenced".

The track was written by the show's primary songwriters, Sam Haft and Andrew Underberg. It features the vocal talents of Broadway veterans Christian Borle (as Vox) and Jeremy Jordan (as Lucifer). The collaboration was highly anticipated by fans, given both actors' extensive musical theatre backgrounds. Creating the song involved balancing Borle's sharp, patter-heavy delivery with Jordan's soaring rock belt, necessitating a complex arrangement that fused electronic dance music with heavy rock instrumentation.

The song features a fast-paced, complex rhythmic structure. Vox's verses often follow a tight, staccato AABB or ABAB rhyme scheme with internal rhymes ("Manifest destiny, long as you invest in me"), emphasizing his calculated and slick persona. The rhythm is rigid and grid-like, matching the electronic backing.

When Lucifer enters, the meter loosens into a more sweeping, melodic flow before hitting hard, punchy downbeats in the rock section. His rhymes are more open and vowel-heavy ("Flame/Name", "Weak/Speak"), allowing for sustained high notes that showcase power and emotion over Vox's rapid-fire precision.

The song employs a distinct musical duality to represent the opposing characters:

• Electronic vs. Rock: Vox's sections are characterized by heavy synthesizers, autotuned flourishes, and a driving, industrial beat, reflecting his nature as the TV Demon. In contrast, Lucifer's section shifts abruptly into a hard rock/metal anthem with distorted electric guitars and organic drum kits, symbolizing his raw, chaotic power.
• Call and Response: Vox utilizes a rhetorical call-and-response technique with the "Crowd" (ensemble vocals), mimicking a political rally. He asks questions ("Are you satisfied?") to elicit scripted outrage.
• Ad Hominem Attacks: The lyrics utilize personal attacks (mentioning Lilith) as a literary device to destabilize the opponent, showcasing Vox's strategy of winning through psychological warfare rather than physical combat.

Upon its release in late 2025, "VOX POPULI" became an instant standout from Season 2, particularly for the vocal showdown between Broadway giants Christian Borle and Jeremy Jordan. Lucifer's rock section went viral on platforms like TikTok, with fans praising the heavier musical direction for the character.

The song sparked extensive discussions in the fandom about the show's political themes and the morality of the Vees versus the Morningstars. It solidified Vox as a formidable villain who poses a genuine threat to Lucifer, moving beyond the comedic rivalry of Season 1. The phrase "Vox Populi" saw a resurgence in fan art and merchandise, often used ironically to depict the Vees' control over Hell.

The song is rich in political and religious imagery:

• "Vox Populi" (The Voice of the People): A historical phrase often completed as "Vox Populi, Vox Dei" (The voice of the people is the voice of God). Vox uses this to suggest his will is the popular will, replacing God (or in this case, Lucifer) with the mob.
• The Serpent and The Flame: Lucifer refers to himself with these primordial symbols. The Serpent alludes to the Garden of Eden and his role as the tempter/enlightener, while the Flame represents his status as the Lightbringer (Lucifer) and his infernal power.
• Chains vs. Wings: Vox mocks Lucifer's fall from Heaven, mentioning his "clipped wings" and suggesting he is "chained" by Heaven's rules. Lucifer inverts this, claiming he has "no chains," symbolizing his ultimate freedom as the original rebel.
• Manifest Destiny: Vox uses this historical term for expansionism to frame his takeover of Heaven not just as a war, but as an inevitable right of the sinners.

The central hook "Vox Populi" is chanted repeatedly, serving as a hypnotic mantra to brainwash the crowd. The phrase "The People's Voice" is often paired with it to translate and reinforce the message.

Another motif is the command to "Make some noise" and "Raise your fist," physicalizing the rebellion Vox is orchestrating. The musical motif of a static-filled, electronic glissando signals Vox's interruptions, while a specific guitar riff is associated with Lucifer's presence, echoing themes from his Season 1 songs like "Hell's Greatest Dad" but with a darker, heavier tone.