There's nothing new about celebrities using their popularity to promote their political opinions or their favorite candidate. However, rap artist (and I use the word "artist" VERY loosely!) Ludacris's latest song promotes his favorite presidential hopeful, Barack Obama, while taking swipes at Hillary Clinton, Jesse Jackson, John McCain, and President George W. Bush. The lyrics for the tune "Politics: Obama is Here" are posted below for your perusal; you can hear the song in its entirety on LiveLeak.com, or watch the video on YouTube.
I'm back on it like I just signed my record deal
yeah the best is here, the Bentley Coup paint is dripping wet, it got sex appeal
never should have hated
you never should've doubted him
with a slot in the president's iPod Obama shattered 'em
Said I handled his biz and I'm one of his favorite rappers
Well give Luda a special pardon if I'm ever in the slammer
Better yet put him in office, make me your vice president
Hillary hated on you, so that bitch is irrelevant
Jesse talking slick and apologizing for what?
if you said it then you meant it how you want it have a gut!
and all you other politicians trying to hate on my man,
watch us win a majority vote in every state on my man
you can't stop what's bout to happen, we bout to make history
the first black president is destined and it's meant to be
the threats ain't fazing us, the nooses or the jokes
so get off your ass, black people, it's time to get out and vote!
paint the White House black and I'm sure that's got 'em terrified
McCain don't belong in ANY chair unless he's paralyzed
Yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped
Ball up all of his speeches and I throw em like candy wrap
cause what you talking I hear nothing even relevant
and you the worst of all 43 presidents
get out and vote or the end will be near
the world is ready for change because Obama is here!
cause Obama is here
The world is ready for change because Obama is here!
Ludacris met Obama back in 2006, when the two discussed young people and empowering youth. The rap star was so enamoured with the senator's warm personal style that he said meeting with him "was like meeting with a relative." After which he decided to write a song bashing all of Obama's opposition. I don't know how Ludacris's family members treat each other, but in my family we don't try to make somebody look bad just to earn a buck.
Officials from the Obama camp have denounced the song, claiming its message 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." (I'd argue the talented part.)
The media complains that McCain's latest campaign ads are negative. With such "positive" support for Obama from "friends" like Ludacris, I think McCain is safe in pulling those ads. Now, everybody join in: "The world is ready for change..." Oh, come on...with attitude, yo...!
