So if you have had your ear to the ground (or if you have been listening to NPR religiously the way I have), then you most likely have heard about Ludacris' new fire that he has released about Obama's opponents. First of all, I don't care what anybody says about the song, for something political, it is actually pretty damn good. Luda makes swings at not just Senator McCain, but also Hilary Clinton and Jesse Jackson. Obama who has admitted to Ludacris being a personal favorites amongst the rappers in his iPod has naturally denounced such remarks about his political opponents and running mates and at first glance I didn't know exactly what to think about such a response. I mean, after all, Ludacris obviously supports Barack Obama and so it seemed like an obvious answer to me to simply not say anything at all. My logic was that the hip hop community has been supporting Senator Obama for almost a year now and so these remarks could simply go unnoticed by the presidential candidates.
But then I realized something... Despite the general public's displays of affection for the candidate such as toys (which have been recieved well and poorly), songs, aparrel and the gobs of media attention which is virtually impossible to ignore at this point, the race is coming to a close. November seems at a distance from right now but the reality is that we have gone three days past the 100 day mark, the clock is winding down and most of all, the margin between the two candidates is starting to really taper.
I believe there there have been a few saving graces that have kept the potential election results angled in Senator Obama's favor but I only want to focus on one. Pop culture has kept Obama at a strong lead above his competition, however, Hip Hop has played the most instrumental role of all. Ever since Black people have been granted the right to vote, for the most part they have held an instrumental role in presidential politics despite marginal attendance per capita (for eligible voters). Now, I would be lying if I said that Barack Obama's skin color doesn't help, because it does. But Hip Hop and music in general has proven to play a role in politics that hasn't been seen for some time... if not ever. Hip Hop has campaigned on Barack Obama's behalf, not by simply stating his name, but making his image more accessible to the inner city public who do not necessarily know too much about candidates or politics. Well doesn't his skin color alone do enough? Well in a nutshell, no. Speaking as an educated black man, I can certainly attest to this. Despite the fact that he is black and educated (and not just from any ole school, but the best in the world), he can come off as "uppidy" and a "sell out" simply because of how much schooling he has, the way he speaks, and the way he dresses. These are simply facts. Hip Hop has adapted his image in such a way which essentially shows the inner city audience that most of it is catered to, that this man is educated and adequate enough to represent black people and the country as a whole. Since messages in Hip Hop can directly effect much of the black community, Hip Hop has rallied much of the unsung voters in the inner city and ignited them towards one cause.
Despite the fact that much of the free endorsement and campaiging on his behalf has proven to be positive, heavier hitting "campaigning" by artists such as Ludacris have been accepted with scorn by the presidential candidate. Earlier on in the year during the primaries, a few people in the media were saying something quite tragic. That essentially it will be impossible for a candidate like Barack Obama to cater towards white Americans and black Americans. Well, I don't think it is impossible, but it certainly will be difficult. While it is still too early to tell, it could be that some if not many in the community may have issues with Obama's response to Ludacris' song. They may feel like Obama isn't "really down" with the black community and this could possibly hurt the polls. I hope it doesn't. I believe that while some may think that Obama's response make him look like an uncle Tom, the bulk will understand that presidential politics is grown man's business and music in support of him, but not in his favor will be detrimental to his success. A few individuals in the Hip Hop community including Ludacris, as well as some individuals in the Black community who may believe that Obama's response to Luda's song was inappropriate must realize that despite a black candidate, presidential politics isn't just exclusively about Hip Hop, or the black community. While I or the next guy may be African American and a lover of Hip Hop, I am aware that Obama's contention for the presidency is an issue that simply trandscends any one or two groups of supporters. It is about america as a whole and having the wrong support base for Obama can drive away other integral demographics required to clinch the presidency. So is Hip Hop eroding presidential politics? Well, right now there aren't enough negative songs out there in support of obama to accurately say so, however, even today with the release of this new song, for now, Obama's image to the general public has changed ever so slightly... and most likely for the worst.
Hear Ludacris' fire and say what you think...
But then I realized something... Despite the general public's displays of affection for the candidate such as toys (which have been recieved well and poorly), songs, aparrel and the gobs of media attention which is virtually impossible to ignore at this point, the race is coming to a close. November seems at a distance from right now but the reality is that we have gone three days past the 100 day mark, the clock is winding down and most of all, the margin between the two candidates is starting to really taper.
I believe there there have been a few saving graces that have kept the potential election results angled in Senator Obama's favor but I only want to focus on one. Pop culture has kept Obama at a strong lead above his competition, however, Hip Hop has played the most instrumental role of all. Ever since Black people have been granted the right to vote, for the most part they have held an instrumental role in presidential politics despite marginal attendance per capita (for eligible voters). Now, I would be lying if I said that Barack Obama's skin color doesn't help, because it does. But Hip Hop and music in general has proven to play a role in politics that hasn't been seen for some time... if not ever. Hip Hop has campaigned on Barack Obama's behalf, not by simply stating his name, but making his image more accessible to the inner city public who do not necessarily know too much about candidates or politics. Well doesn't his skin color alone do enough? Well in a nutshell, no. Speaking as an educated black man, I can certainly attest to this. Despite the fact that he is black and educated (and not just from any ole school, but the best in the world), he can come off as "uppidy" and a "sell out" simply because of how much schooling he has, the way he speaks, and the way he dresses. These are simply facts. Hip Hop has adapted his image in such a way which essentially shows the inner city audience that most of it is catered to, that this man is educated and adequate enough to represent black people and the country as a whole. Since messages in Hip Hop can directly effect much of the black community, Hip Hop has rallied much of the unsung voters in the inner city and ignited them towards one cause.
Despite the fact that much of the free endorsement and campaiging on his behalf has proven to be positive, heavier hitting "campaigning" by artists such as Ludacris have been accepted with scorn by the presidential candidate. Earlier on in the year during the primaries, a few people in the media were saying something quite tragic. That essentially it will be impossible for a candidate like Barack Obama to cater towards white Americans and black Americans. Well, I don't think it is impossible, but it certainly will be difficult. While it is still too early to tell, it could be that some if not many in the community may have issues with Obama's response to Ludacris' song. They may feel like Obama isn't "really down" with the black community and this could possibly hurt the polls. I hope it doesn't. I believe that while some may think that Obama's response make him look like an uncle Tom, the bulk will understand that presidential politics is grown man's business and music in support of him, but not in his favor will be detrimental to his success. A few individuals in the Hip Hop community including Ludacris, as well as some individuals in the Black community who may believe that Obama's response to Luda's song was inappropriate must realize that despite a black candidate, presidential politics isn't just exclusively about Hip Hop, or the black community. While I or the next guy may be African American and a lover of Hip Hop, I am aware that Obama's contention for the presidency is an issue that simply trandscends any one or two groups of supporters. It is about america as a whole and having the wrong support base for Obama can drive away other integral demographics required to clinch the presidency. So is Hip Hop eroding presidential politics? Well, right now there aren't enough negative songs out there in support of obama to accurately say so, however, even today with the release of this new song, for now, Obama's image to the general public has changed ever so slightly... and most likely for the worst.
Hear Ludacris' fire and say what you think...
Technorati Tags: Music, Culture, Politics, Ludacris, Barack Obama
Of course, yet again, Supreme and Mustache Commander, the same guys who are doing the Rental Car Rally, and City Wide watergun fights are back at it again. Now gurus in the metropolitan social scene here in the states and abroad, these two social geniuses are now coming out with the next best thing you haven't heard of: Miracle Fruit Parties. So exactly what is a Miracle Fruit Party? Well, it is a small underground secretive cloak and dagger (okay, so its not a secret) style event where participants indulge in a very rare West African berry called 
