Will Hip Hop Help Or Hurt Barack Obama?
Presidential hopeful Barack Obama listens to hip-hop, knows many of the genre’s moguls, such as Jay-Z, Russell Simmons and rapper Ludacris, admires their business acumen and has been endorsed by them.That support could be a blessing for the 47-year-old Democratic candidate as he appeals to young voters.
Or it could be a curse, with links to hip-hop’s “gangsta” image and offering ammunition for the supporters of Republican rival U.S. Sen. John McCain.”Hip-hop’s public image makes it a hot potato,” said Bakari Kitwana, of the Study of Race, Politics and Culture at the University of Chicago. “People don’t know what it is so they equate it with hyper-sexuality, violence and drug culture.”
Full Article: Reuters
I think the support from Hip Hop will be a mixed blessing. People will definitely expect Barack to answer for the pitfalls of the Hip Hop culture, but the support will make Barack have a lot of press and gain a lot of voters.
August 9th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Barack Obama is the future… but I don’t think he needs to interrelate Hip Hop and Politics in his campaign unless it’s positive…But then again so what if he listens to Hip Hop… that’s his business…and no one is complaining about mCcain and what he listens to, so why is it a big deal… with his multicultural background Obama will be able to relate to all races… whether white, black, hispanic, asian and will be able to help others with the plan that he has available for America… people need to stop worrying about the religion and music part of the campaign (although it’s a major part) because that’s doing nothin but fuckin up the unity for all races…
August 9th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
hiphop has always been the rebel voice of the people.In the media it will be mostly viewed as negative, so they will try and crucify whoever is associated with the genre. With Barack he doesn’t just need Black votes he needs every race vote to win. On the other hand there is no need to shuck and jive and uncle tom it, who gives a fuck what ge listens 2.The main focus should be his policies and the change he speaks on. Then again he’s a black man running 4 the highest position n the nation, so the right will try and throw all tge dirt they can on him but tgeres plenty of ways round that without shucking and jiving
August 9th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Why should Barack have to answer for hip hop? Because he’s black? Toby Keith has a song about lynching, should McCain have to answer for that? Hell no. I wish the McCain camp would open this can of worms. What’s more violent – rap music or Baghdad?
August 9th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
If Eminem came out with a Barack Obama support song, that would seal his victory because it would give him votes from a lot of young white people. And probably kill a lot of this white vs. black stuff that has been getting Obama negative press….
August 9th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
@#4 Are you 12 years old? That’s the stupidest shit I’ve heard all day.
August 9th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
HH = too negative for white america. the less HH and Barack are mentioned in one sentence the better it is.
August 9th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
@4 u are a complete idiot.
Guess u forgot that enimem song “Mosh” how much did that help? Bush still won.
Make sure u know what u talking about b4 making your statement stupid ass.
Hip Hop is definately a mixed melting pot that should help but on the same hand we can’t really show deck we playing with cause they meaning the Republicans always use negative shit against us too.
August 9th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Hip Hop is still slowly being accepted as a part of our everyday culture.
You have Jay-Z who is accepted by many politicians republican and democrat.
Then you have someone like Luda that is a whipping boy of both parties.
Its also one thing if Obama or any other politician supports a song. They can appreciate a song for its artistic value. They are not buying into that music’s lifestyle.
But if you openly associate with celebrities that could be doing drugs or anything else illegal — around you — not a good look for a politician.
In the end I really think Obama is doing the smart thing and accepting support from the hip hop community.
Its time for a change and hip hop IS NOT TO BLAME for the world’s problems. If anything is narrative tale of its problems.
August 9th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
I agree with 6 and 7.
White America believes everything they hear thats negative about HH and blacks in the Mass Media.
Mass Media causes half the issues and problems we have if America today.
So just like stizzack said the less we talk about it the better chance Obama has to win.
August 9th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
1st white people are the ones that buy hiphop/rap
2nd obama is white