The Audacity Of Hip-Hop

I am a 37-year-old white woman and I find this to be very offensive. Hip-Hop is only being mentioned because Obama is black. When is the media going to stop all the drama? We have enough drama. Don't add to the problem so that you can have your name appear in an article or on the news. It doesn't make you important. You won't be remembered for it. Be a part of the solution, not the problem. There is no mention of other styles of music... There has never been a mention of music styles and politic in the past... Why now? Are you trying to associate the above mentioned "hip hop in the last few years have been less than flattering' with Obama?

Check out this interview with John McWhorter about politics of hip-hop
http://www.tvo.org/TVO/WebObjects/TVO.woa?video?TAWSP_Int_20080926_779335_0

Amazing how this article and the mainstream media ignores the Green Party and its candidates, Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente. Hip hop plays a large role in this campaign. Go to:
http://votetruth08.com/index.php/component/content/article/267-rosa-celmente-green-party-vp-candidate-speaking-in-florida-september-27

Amazing how this article - and all the mainstream media - ignores the Green Party and Cynthia McKinney and her running mate, Rosa Clemente. Hip-Hop plays a large part in this campaign. Check it out:
http://votetruth08.com/index.php/component/content/article/267-rosa-celmente-green-party-vp-candidate-speaking-in-florida-september-27

some of these posts are so ignorant. first off, i have no opinion as to whether or not this article was written well. second of all, im not a fan of commercial hip hop its annoying to hear about people's diamonds and rims and *** and hos, and i am white. i support Barack fully. i go to rallys, i protested the RNC in St Paul, i have several Obama stickers on my car, i wear his t-shirts to work and school and i always carry an Obama water bottle. its obvious that some people are just voting for him because he is black, but there is defiantly more to it than that. i have to admit tho that i agree voters should be educated. a few things that irritated me about these comments tho, first, i think its stupid to turn everything into a racial issue. race wouldnt be such an issue if people didnt point it out so much. people more than often play the race card, people from both sides of the fence. if we stop pointing out race all the time, even when are not trying to be rude or racist, thats a bit of a start. idk i think the whole racial thing is dumb. if we all lost our skin, we would all look the same. and i do support undergroud hip hop and i love the fact that people like Atmosphere and Brother Ali are speaking out about politics and supporting Barack. our society needs to be more open to change, and not the change that McCain is supposedly promising. (way to steal the slogan republicans!)

in the words of Kanser:
"No hable es REPUBLICAN... if your parents voted for Bush and they think Jesus was white, i cant relate to your life"

A little off the subject- but I think that voters should be required to pass a minimun knowledge test in order to be able vote; simple questions on the candidates' stances on certain issues. If you are not informed- don't vote. I think that would encourage hip-hop figures, Hollywood figures etc to say something with substance rather than just promote a candidate by claiming change. Change how? Tell your followers how the change is going to come about, instead of making this like a High School Student Council election- based on popularity.
I think uninformed voters are more dangerous than non-voters. Vote for who you like- but know more about the candidate then that you like him because Ludacris likes him.

ugh , ok end this. Rappers/ entertainers rap about things that will make their record sale! If a record was about gumdrops and candles who is going to listen ? The problem is all ppl WANT to hear that music, and it's their jobs to entertain. golly ... they need money too ! I do think they are very over paid cuz it's not that important, but they have to make a living to. & they happen to be good enough at it that ppl like you and me go and buy or download their albums. Point blank. & because they rap about drugs doesn't make they smoke them, or sell them. Think about it, who is going to nationally admit to selling drugs? For everyone to hear, to have the FBI investigating ?

-Black people have thoughts on politcs too, even if they rap or like rap music. That doesn't mean they don't have an opinion about whats going on in the world.

One thing I hate is generalizing. Sure there are some African Americans that are only coming out to vote now because of Obama. But have you ever considered that maybe they never felt that there were any qualified people running for office who previously deserved their vote. And I am sure that there are African Americans who were informed voters in the past who wanted to let their voices be heard because I am one of them. I have been voting since I was of age. Many times I felt like there was no one out there that I wanted to vote for. Now we have a candidate that represents change. McCain represents four more years of BUSH. And the American people are tired of BUSH. That is why America is ready for Obama.

Let's not get angry that's it what is wanted and expected. If change is the cause let's CHANGE how we react.

It should be good to know that people are taking a stand for something instead of sitting down taking it and talking amongst themselves. With that being said, some hip-hop artists do need to hush (such as P Diddy, Puff Daddy or whomever he choses to be today with the whole Blacks in Alaksa) because they discredit the cause, just because they have access to a camera and a media willing to let them do damage to the greater cause. So a lot of celebrities must do an evaluation of the effects thier image can have a stand in the background doing good even if it's with a closed mouth. It should be a time when entertainment is put to the side and service is put on the forefront. But it's time our generation (if you are a part of it you should feel me) take an active role in choosing the President but also mayors, senators, congress, etc. Rock the Vote is an awesome idea, it tends to keep the younger generations involved and uses the by any means necessary tactics to get a response to doing our civic duties. It shouldn't even be considered about race because if you haven't noiticed hip hop has no bounds or race at this point. It effects EVERYTHING you see on tv from programs to advertising. Let's finally let it advertise something more than a distorted society or oven mitts.

jenjackson , I am agreeing with you 100% about this article being biased, and I was truly upset on how they said that the "nappy headed hoes" was an influenced remark. WTF is up with that. Black people are trying to implement change, but with us not have the last say is hard to do so. Everything is a one step at a time thing for black people, not for a lot of white people. This article is trash, and whoever wrote it needs to re-evaluate their work. It was poorly written, or maybe it was meant to upset people. And as for the race issue idk why people try and push it under the rug, and it is clearly an everyday issue. EVERYDAY race is an issue with something. It might be subliminal but trust that race is still very evident and forthcoming.

Good reason not to vote for Obama

I really don't think they have any influence. I think they can put out as many tracks as they want. It won't encourage more people to vote. The problem is Hip Hop artist think they have a lot more influence than they actually do. That is the fault of the media. I think at times when celebrities go out and endorse a candidate it's almost insulting. Need I remind everyone of the 2004 Vote or Die. Paris Hilton wasn't even registered to vote. But I also can appreciate anyone getting involved and stating their opinions, people have every right to them. It's great to hear them rapping about something besides their fancy jewlery and cars and "***". I listen to Hi Hop but while the Stock Market is falling and the economy is so bad I don't want to hear about your jewels and your cars. SHUT UP! I got a little off track for a moment. I hope more people agree.

LMAO! You have G O T to be kidding me?? WTF is "nas"?? hip hop don't have J A C K as far as influence on anything political!!! As far as "hip hop" having any place in the White House.......(I'm really speechless right now-laughin too hard!!) any......forget it!! Never happen!

You know what...this is really stupid. I am an young, African American female and what really bothers me is that after all this time of black belly-aching about change, it takes a African American canidate and the hip hop industry to cause a massive change. I think it is a buch or bs...Blacks should have been voting a loong time ago, should have been advocating change a looong time ago, and making a difference in their individual communities a looong time ago. Now all of a sudden, blacks want to come out the woodwork and make a difference. C'mon people, get your heads out of your asses and realize that this is a temporary change. Now what happens if Obama isn't elected? Blacks will go back to the same whinny ass state that they were in before, this is just temporary...NO ONE, not even Blacks, are ready for Obama to be president of the U.S.!!

I am a resident of Wyandotte county who uses public transporation from the Unified Government here and I would like to share some of the comments I have heard on a daily basis while riding on the buses.

Regardless of the message Barack Obama says he is sending to "THE AMERICAN PEOPLE" this is the message some of "HIS PEOPLE" are hearing. Each and every day, the following phrases are are being expressed very adamantly:

When we get one of our own in, the white man will know we're there
I know one thing, if Obama doesn't get in we'll tear this place up
The white man's gonna pay now huh?
Let this election go the wrong way and us brothers will be out in Johnson County messin up them f_____ white neighborhoods
Obamas gonna put ole whitey in his f_____ place once and for all
That white b____ they brought in is in trouble

I could go on and on but I think I have made my point. Anyone who thinks America is ready for this is short a few screws.