If you've followed my site the past few months, you know I've made it a normal feature to note various rappers' very public doubts about Obama's chances for The Number One Spot. There was Nas, 50 Cent, Snoop Doog, and perhaps most regrettably, Earl Simmons. I dismissed this as typical Negro Nonsense, given the fact that 90% of these cats are either not eligible to vote due to Systematic Disenfranchisement[1], or prolly don't vote due to just plain ole' Negro Apathy.
Well, lo and behold, the very same guys who are supposed to be trendsetting tastemakers just jumped on the bandwagon now that the Democratic nomination is secured, which strikes me as the worst sorta opportunism.
MTV goes in on what's really hot on the streets right now.
Now that Barack Obama has clinched the Democratic presidential nomination, some of his biggest support is coming from the hip-hop community.Here's the video. Try not to laugh out loud as Sway And His Ridonculous Headwrap ask an on-home-arrest TI why he thinks Obama's the man with the plan.
"Today is one of the greatest and proudest moments of my life," Diddy said Wednesday (June 4) of Obama's nomination. "Not just as a black man, but as an American. Senator Obama becoming the Democratic nominee for president is history in the making and proof that we do live in the greatest country in the world!"
"It goes Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama," Young Jeezy raps at the beginning of The-Dream's "I Luv Your Girl." The Snowman says he's been really interested in the political race this year.
"For real, as bad as we try to ignore it and act like it ain't got nothing to do with us, it's real," Jeezy said about what some people in the black community have felt. "What [the rest of the country] feared for a long time, a black president, it could possibly happen right now."
Jeezy said any of this year's presidential hopefuls will do a better job than our current president. He wore a shirt onstage at Sunday's Hot 97 Summer Jam that read, "F--- Bush."
For months, hip-hop artists such as Will.I.Am, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, the Game, Jay-Z and 50 Cent have been publicly supportive of Obama's quest for the Oval Office.
"I heard Obama speak," 50 told MTV News earlier this year. "He hit me with that he-just-got-done- watching-'Malcolm X' [thing], and I swear to God, I'm like, 'Yo, Obama!' "
He then threw his fist in the air. "I'm Obama to the end now, baby!"
Earlier this month, Nas told MTV News that Obama's rise to prominence actually got him interested in politics again. The Queensbridge native did say that he had a very specific agenda he wanted Obama to address if he made it to office — especially in the wake of the Sean Bell case.
"There never been a president to address the slaughter of young black people by this country's police," Nas fumed. "When your government's police are killing one section of people, that's genocide. There's never been a president to even acknowledge it. You don't acknowledge that? That's a big thing President Obama has to recognize when he gets in office.
MTVI suppose I should see this as some sorta progress. Having Young Jeezy talk about something other than that "White Girl"[2] should be refreshing. Seeing Nas temporarily abandon his clueless N-Word
But it's not. It's just rank opportunism.
Reality is, since most of these guys either don't or can't vote, I can't really see this as anything other than a thinly veiled ploy to sell more of Nas' upcoming destined-to-be-terrible concept CD, and more $75 Vote Or Die!!! ringer tees to support Diddy's Children's
Oh, and then there's the small issue that Diddy himself didn't even bother registering to vote in 04'. Ludacris at least did that much, but was too busy to complete the task and punch a ballot. 50 Cent isn't eligible. You know, Systematic Disenfranchisement and whatnot.
And These Are Our Heroes? Really?
If these guys were really down, and not the bandwagoneers they obviously are, they would have been more visible and more vocal over the past few months when the message really needed to be out there, not now when the job's halfway done. Gloating and jumping on the bandwagon when everything's gravy is tantamount to all those newfangled "Celtics Fans" who couldn't name a guy on last year's team, but now act like they've been down since the dark and meager days of Brian Shaw, Dee Brown, and Kevin Gamble. I'm just sayin', if you're down, be down from Day One.
Which is why I can respect artists like Common, Joell Ortiz, Jin, SaRa, Skyzoo, Kidz In The Hall, Taalib Kweli, Res and others who've been beating the Barry-drum for the past couple of years, long before it became popular (read: newsworthy and profitable).
"We don't believe you... and we don't need more people."
Question: Am I being too hard on these guys as usual, or does this sorta getwit opportunitism sicken you as well? Does asking others to vote when you don't do so yourself make any sense? Have you heard any other good prObama hip-hop?
Diddy, Young Jeezy, Respond To Barack Obama's Historic Nomination [MTV]
[1] And by Systematic Disenfranchisement, I mean jailtime for crack selling and missed child support.
[2] And no, he ain't talkin' bout no Lindsay Lohan.
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Idiots all of them.
Speechless.
We'll see if they can back up their words on this. I agree, if you're down with someone, be down before the gravy train arrives.
I'm just waiting for the Obama diss record to drop from one of these hacks, and it's premiere on BET.
Yes, I'm looking at yo' ass Uncle Bob Johnson.
EG
My, how our tone has changed since we got sponsers. Amazon will do that to a brother.
Jusus
I don't even see why you needed to ask that question.
While certainly rappers they are first businessmen. Businessmen call it a "calculated risk" but in reality its just hopping on the bandwagon. Everyone is now taking a Cindy Sheehan campaign-style opportunity to treat Barack like the latest fashion statement. Barack and his people have seen this show before, though, so trust when I say that they already know how to play these fools.
If they were really interested in politics, instead of rapping about rims and hoes, they would have been using the mic to dis Bush, the Sean Bell cops, the Hurricane Katrina mass murder and countless other offenses perpeptrated by the government.
Are they jumping on the bandwagon -probably. Is is it necessarily a bad thing? I don't think so. Just like most young, Black men - it takes something major to turn their attention to politics. Oh, and BTW - it's Puff Daddy, now! I guess Obama didn't keep Puffy's attention long enough to keep him from changing his name.
Yeah, a lot of studio thugs and music industry "playaz" are full of shit but maybe, like me and so many other young brothers, the presence of a black man in this year's presidental race actually caught their attention and forced them to give a damn.
I mean, I never had any real interest in any of the past two presidental elections (part of that had to do with the fact that I was under voting age), I just hoped that the Democrat would get into office out of neccessity but truthfully I could've gave a damn about Al Gore or John Kerry. I just hoped that they'd win so that fucker Bush would disappear.
Sadly, we all know that it didn't work out that way.
So, yeah, these mainstream rap cats are bandwagoners and talkers but I do think that a black man in the presidental race defintely sparked a real intrest in current US politics for many young brothers (and sisters).
I knowed it sure sparked one for me.
Now you know they trying to make some dough just like the artists and DJ's selling mixtapes during the Jena 6 foolishness (and at any other minority protest of any size these days).. Barak is Harvard educated, has no police record, doesnt have 100 children out of wedlock, made his money by not selling drugs or in the entertainment industry and worst of all, speaks with Standard English. He is sooo sold out. With that in mind, why are they supporting him? Under normal circumstances he should be targeted for an assault and robbery right? It boggles the mind.
Interest. Barack amazingly instills a sense of ownership in his supporters. I could careless about fickle supporters who are jumping on the bandwagon now. There vote is worth the same as mine...for that matter, even people who simply like the character of Barack...there vote is worth one....the same as mine.
Be careful. Some of the leftest began to feel "awkward" when the black community embraced Barack. True, the individual rapper may not vote, however, we cannot deny the unyielding power they have. There is a reason when Kanye says George Bush does not like Black people, it is played globally.
I've been asking the same question all along...Not only where were they with Obama, but where were they on the countless other instances of human indignities and civil rights violations where their celebrity status would have proved beneficial to the urban community that helps maintain their lavish lifestyles.
With that said, I support anything that brings about a positive change in our political apathy. Just hearing our young, black people get involved in the process and open the lines of communication about politics is encouraging. So really, better late than never. Are they jumping on the bandwagon, sure.
Ebonygentleman, I fear the dis record also. For your viewing pleasure, it will be played simultaneously on Fox and BET-- every hour on the hour.
If they inspire young people to get involved in a positive manner then I think it's a great idea. I'm not bothered by their late attempt to influence others. Like any other popular person, Senator Obama's face, comments and image is marketable. If they don't use him to their advantage, someone else will.
SWAY'S HEADWRAP!
That's all.
I have to agree with some of the others. YES, they are a day late and a dollar short, but their influence is probably one of the few things that will get the 18-25 year old brothers who can vote out to do so. It's a damn shame that Jeezy has to tell these fools how important voting is, but on the flipside he has a hand in many of the decisions these kids make daily so I say use him just like he's trying to use Obama.
many of the other latter commenters echo some of my own sentiments: if having Young Jeezy
**fights hard to keep from rolling eyes**
or even a 50 Cent
**goes ahead and rolls them anyways**
endorse Barack Obama and perhaps garner more young black 18-25 year old votes, then no harm no foul--at the end of the day.
But during the middle of the day, I think mynameismyname kind of hit the nail on the head. As young black people, many of us pay attention, but our apathy and moreover DISILLUSIONMENT (definitely different from disenfranchisement) runs rampant in many black communities. Our involvement with the political process is the city mayor, MAYBE the council member (and that's a strong maybe) and the President of the United States. By in large, we don't know our U.S. Senators and U.S. State Reps (unless they're black, possibly) and our State Senators almost don't stand a chance unless you vote regularly.
That is a state of disillusionment--where no matter what, the outcome has been the same for black people. My friend rightly quips that Congress has not passed any substantial and meaningful social legislation in the last 40 years (yes, think Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts)...so why should those of us who operate on the back burner of society many times expect anything different.
Well, for whatever reason Obama has done that for some black people.
And yes, the MTV/BET world jumping on the bandwagon is extremely opportunist. they're just responding to what they're listeners have been saying.
And to AB:
I think you are being harsh in the regards that you rightly complained that the more public side of the hip-hop/rap industry had not said anything about the then presidential primary and when they do, we jump down their throats saying they just jumping on the bandwagon and opportunist. Be that as it may, perhaps those of us who have that as an issue with them should be a little more concilliatory. Isn't it about doing all that's necessary for Obama to get the win?
They are no different than a lot of other "good educated" Black folk who weren't giving Obama the time of day at the beginning because they didn't think he had a chance in hell.
If every time you try to do something there is someone waiting to roll out all your previous mistakes and ignorance it makes one apprehensive.
Hell, sometimes even if we had no intentions of it, sometimes we are enlightened.
I'd rather they trot out fake politics than "bitches and guns" lyrics.
What Symphony said.
i.l.l.
I look forward to the day when rappers will get on the bandwagon of telling people to make their own decisions about a candidate, rather than endorsing the black one. I guess any bandwagon that gets people to look at the real problems is better than none at all. And, who can blame them for this particular bandwagon? I've seen 4 magazine covers of Obama with reports titled basically "OMFG How Awesome Is this Guy?" in the last two weeks.
It's the bandwagon to be on! Meanwhile, Rasmussen polls today indicate that only 17% of people think reporters give an unbiased view of the news.
On a related note, I saw Mos Def and Taalib Kweli on the last episode of Chappelle Show's 1st season, and they were badass together. Definitely seeking out more of their stuff now.
AB -
Long time lurker here... Thank you for your insightful blog... I don't know how many times a day I check out your site.
@ spool32
You need to get ahold of that Mos Def and Talib Kweli are Black Star album
I keep that white girl ... Christina Aguilera
Anyway, my opinions are on line with alot of the previous comments. But I do feel that rappers don't have that much pull when it comes to increasing voting registration. People who are going to vote will vote regardless of what one rapper says. Yes, it's good to get people involved in the process, but if you didn't care then, rapper A,B,C or X isn't going to make you care now.
As of rappers and Obama on the bandwagon. I stan for Kidz In The Hall (FYI: Nalegde, the rapper, is a Kappa) and they've been down for Obama since the get. I do like Nas' new joint "Black President" because it touches on how alot of people feel. We're excited about Obama running for president, but there are doubts still out there. Nas gets a pass because he always talks about this stuff but as for these other rappers, it ain't nothing.
I know Jay has been pro-Obama. They used him in North Carolina as an automatic phone message.omp
AB:
I haven't got Sway's headwrap since college. Good thing the brotha works for MTV because he wouldn't fit (or be hired) in the corporate world.
About T.I, I almost busted out laughing when he said Obama had "good thoughts." Hey T.I., a good thought will be not getting semi-auto weapons that could cost you years in prison.
I really don't care what these rappers think . . . they are not what influence me to go to the polls and vote.
I'm gonna piggy back off of i.l.l.-what symphony said.
@ EG
Can't wait for that diss record either. I'm sure it's coming. DJ Drama is already calling himself Barack ODrama. Could Gangsta Grillz: The Presidential Edition be far behind?
@ Jusus
Not really sure what you mean by "sponsers" or "tone". I just threw some ads up here to monetize. There's no "sponser". And I'm not sure what change in "tone" you're speaking of. I'm more or less off that election tip and just doin' me here lately, if that's what you mean. I sure hope I don't have to apologize for that.
@ Ms Kimba
Yeah, I just caught that. He's indeed going back to 94 and calling himself Puffy again. Interesting.
@ all
I'm still not 100% convinced that these rappers weild as much power as we give them, be it negative (influencing kids to deal drugs and get hiiiiighhh) or positive (voting and uhhmmmm... uhmmmm.)
We're be discussing this topic on NPR today (Wed.) so tune in.
@ uppity
I think you may have misread me. My beef isn't that rappers haven't said more. There's a couple dozen examples of many who have. My beef is that some of these very same rappers kissing Barry's feet now were the same idiots rolling around talking about "he'll get shot if he's elected". Love it or hate it, I've heard JUST as much, of not more of that shortsighted sentiment than the positive "get behind a guy with good opinions" stuff.
In the end, I don't think the goal here is getting kids to line up for Obama in November. Not at all. I'd like to see youth generally more politically astute and engaged overall. Not just every four years cause Diddy said so, and a black dude's running. These kids mauors, city councilmen, and school boards are all elected, and all effect them far more than Obama ever will in a million terms. I'm not sure if this message is the one being communicated when you say VOTE OR DIE!!!!
I'm just sayin'.
@ afroam
Thanks for the semi co-sign.
While I share your sentiment about these "credits to our race" [/sarcasm], I say let these toolbags talk that talk and dance that jig. If it gets more "W"'s in Sen. Obama's column, it can't be all bad. They'll resume they regular coonin' soon enough.
Hey AB -
Just showing you a little link love! http://umysis.com/2008/06/14/tip-psa/
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