Obama Rep Denounces Ludacris’ Mixtape Rap
Published by imaG July 31st, 2008 in Rap Stuff, anythingBlack
Ludacris added his name to the long list of Hip Hop artists who openly support Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign when the two men met back in 2006. Now, after the release of the “Politics (Obama is Here)” freestyle [click to listen], the Illinois senator’s camp is not too thrilled with Luda taking shots at President Bush, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. John McCain and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
The song, which is featured on the DJ Drama assisted, “Gangsta Grillz: The Preview,” calls Clinton “irrelevant,” and refers to her as “that bi*ch.” Luda also pokes fun at McCain’s age and health and gives what many would call an accurate evaluation of Bush’s job as president by calling him “the worst of all 43 presidents.” Yesterday, Obama spokeswoman Melanie Roussell issued the following statement in regards to the song:
“As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he doesn’t want his daughters or any children exposed to. This song is not only outrageously offensive to Senator Clinton, Reverend Jackson, Senator McCain, and President Bush, it is offensive to all of us who are trying to raise our children with the values we hold dear. While Ludacris is a talented individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics.”
Prior to release of the freestyle, Obama spoke highly of Ludacris and a few other Hip Hop figures, despite his disdain for some of their subject matter.
“I know Jay-Z, I know Ludacris, I know Russell Simmons,” Obama told Rolling Stone. “I know a bunch of these guys. They are great talents and great businessmen, which is something that doesn’t get emphasized enough. It would be nice if I could have my daughters listen to their music without me worrying that they were getting bad images of themselves.”
Hear the freestyle.
I wonder if Obama was cracking up even as he was typing up his “response” to Luda’s lyrics. I mean, McCain does practically have one foot in the grave…
Randomly though, at least he is being consistent with saying he thinks they are all cool cats, he just can’t let his kids listen to their music.
Yeah Obama is smart. He somehow always manages to stay on everyone good side.
I haven’t yet heard the freestyle, but I think the response to it from the “camp” is a bit much. It’s obvious they’re trying to please everyone and not play rough-and-tumble politics. At a certain point, they need to stop playing nice and give these people the business…. just the way they’re doing to his camp.