blog - gObama 2008
Obama denounces Ludacris song
Thursday, July 31, 2008
(Berlin, Germany - 10.30 a.m. local time)
Ludacris, the successful Atlanta hip-hop artist, stepped over the fine line of good taste as an MC. His ghetto demeanor in his lyrics for the song “Politics: Obama is here” blows up a hole in the campaign strategy, but aims at encouraging young heads to come out and vote. Obama has admitted that he listens to Ludacris on his I pod. Ooops! The lyrics are gangster...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHb3Ic1hVfI&feature=related
I guess this song is now banned from Obama’s playlist and so spokesman Bill Burton says: "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."
Personally, I think this is how many alienated and ignorant black males do think and speak on the streets... Whether this makes a good rap song is another debate, but lyrics are always political. The debate about “keeping it real” and having political strategy and impact on a large scale is played out perfectly in an open letter by Najee Ali, whom I interviewed 6 month ago in South Central. At this time I had asked him about the chances of Obama winning the primary against Hillary. He did not predict an Obama win but now during the battle against MCCAIN much more is at stake.
Who else is pissed off about Obama’s celebrity status around the world? Well, I guess a network journalist would ask: Was Hillary secretly paying Ludacris to write this song to discredit Obama to get a second chance? Just kidding, folks. I guess Ludacris is a loud mouth independent artist and nobody can tell him what to say. Was he naive or stupid? Najee Ali has some valid points here. Word up!
NAJEE ALI'S OPEN LETTER TO LUDACRIS: 'With friends like you, Obama doesn't need enemies.'(July 31, 2008)
*Ludacris you are a 3 time Grammy Award winning artist. No one can dispute that you are one of the leading rappers in the industry.
You have the first amendment rights to choose to record music of your own choosing. But I feel that the recent release of your song attacking Senators Clintons and McCain, as well and Jesse Jackson only hurts Senator Obama who you've stated is a friend and he has your support.
But with friends like you Obama doesn't need enemies.
Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Father Michael Phlegher, Jesse Jackson and now you have all made public statements during this historic election that were an unnecessary distraction and harmed Obama causing him to respond. If you were really his friend you would realize that maybe you should just shut up.
This is a close race and there are many Americans who are undecided and looking for an excuse not to vote for a Black man and then you have the audacity to call Sen. Hillary Clinton an "irrelevant bitch?!"
I can envision the McCain and Republican attack ads now with pictures of you and Obama; exploiting your comments and letting white America know that Obama has the support of rappers like you who call white women bitches. Our organization, Project Islamic Hope, has a long track record and history of condemning not just you, but all gangster rappers who disparage women and glorify violence. And were not ever backing down from our position
Ludacris, we're calling for you to apologize to those that you disparaged in your song with a special emphasis in regard to Sen. Clinton who you called an "irrelevant bitch." Sen. Clinton is a former first lady, wife, mother and woman. I'm sure when you see Michelle Obama, you don't envision her in that manner and would never call her that. No woman deserves to be called that term.
Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly has previously taken you task; denouncing you over your controversial lyrics. His public pressure cost you a significant sponsorship with the Pepsi Corporation. Oprah Winfrey took you to task for the misogynist role you have in rap when you appeared on her show a couple of years ago. And now Obama has personally denounced you. I doubt very seriously whether you will be on his guest list for the inauguration. When are you going to realize that yes you're rich but not respected and that you have become your own worst enemy?
I support Obama with all my heart and want him to win. If you truly feel the same way then maybe you could humble yourself and apologize. If not, can you and any other Obama friends out there just shut up until after the election, because if Obama has any more friends like you he doesn't need enemies.
Najee Ali --- Executive director Project Islamic HOPE
www.islamichope.org