Social networks in the UK and beyond have been abuzz with talk of the campaign to keep the winner of British popstar search X Factor – much the same as Australian Idol – off the #1 spot this Christmas. Now electronica firestarters The Prodigy have lent their considerable weight to the cause.

The intention has been to galvanise the hordes of unsatisfied music fans who oppose the manufactured pop of shows like X Factor through a widespread display of solidarity. How do you get involved? Simply purchase Rage Against The Machine’s 1992 anthem Killing In The Name through any UK download store this week, so the X Factor winner is kept off the top spot in the charts.

Posting on The Prodigy’s website, the outfit’s lynchpin Liam Howlett made his intentions on the topic clear, urging fans to “rise up against the ‘industry manufactured shite’.” Heading to Australia in 2010 to headline the Future Music Festival, he also made a subsequent update as RATM’s single began its scale of the UK charts. You can read the battle cry in all its glory below.

“yo, heres the deal, we r doing well with the ‘getting rage to number 1’ to fuk off ‘cowell the machine ’ campaign . it’s currently ahead, but lets keep the pressure on. anyone out there who hasn’t supported and bought the tune yet, get on itunes or whatever and do the right thing. this is the biggest rise up against the ’ industry manufactured shite ’ in years and thats why its important—- and fukin funny at the same time act now. power to the people ! LiaM H x”

NME report that by December 15th Rage Against The Machine were in fact winning the battle, with X Factor winner Joe McElderry’s single The Climb a cool 65,000 units behind Killing In The Name. “I haven’t heard it [Rage Against The Machine],” McElderry told BBC News earlier this week, when asked for his thoughts on the controversy. “I need to listen to it. I have not heard it yet but I’ll have to have a listen.”

Not surprisingly the whole thing has spawned a multitude of notable internet memes. Here’s one of the finest:

Don’t forget The Prodigy tour Australia in February and March 2010, playing the Future Music Festival and their own headline shows, all proudly presented by inthemix!

Feb 27 – Future Music Festival, Brisbane
Feb 28 – Future Music Festival, Perth
Mar 3 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
Mar 4 – Hisense Arena, Melbourne
Mar 6 – Future Music Festival, Sydney
Mar 7 – Future Music Festival, Melbourne
Mar 8 – Future Music Festival, Adelaide
Mar 10 – Entertainment Centre, Newcastle