By Ismael AbduSalaam
Presumptive Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama has condemned an endorsement song from Ludacris, in which the Atlanta MC criticizes rivals Hillary Clinton and John McCain.
The song “Politics: Obama Is Here” contains celebratory bars on Obama’s success (“The first is destined and it’s meant to be”), but turns venomous when Obama’s rivals are addressed.
Ludacris references the bitter Democratic primary battle by stating “Hillary hated on you/So that b**ch is irrelevant.”
Regarding Republican nominee John McCain, the rapper rhymes:
“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.”
Through his campaign team, Senator Obama released a statement condemning the song as offensive and typical of much of Hip-Hop’s current lyrical content.
“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,” explained spokesman Bill Burton. “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 values we hold dear. While Ludacris is a talented individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics.”
Previously Obama once that Ludacris’ music received heavy rotation in his iPod, a point also acknowledged in the song when the rapper says:
“With a slot in the president’s iPod Obama shattered ‘em/ Said I handled his biz and I’m one of his favorite rappers."
In November of 2006, Ludacris met with Senator Obama at his Chicago office, where the Grammy Award winners discussed youth empowerment.
The rap has also drawn the wrath of WomenCount, a new organization co-founded by former Rock The Vote President/political commentator Jehmu Greene.
"It is another example of hateful, sexist language being used on the campaign trail, and now is our moment to make it clear: not on our watch!” stated Rosemary Camposano, Communications Director, WomenCount PAC. “The leadership of both parties must step up to condemn such hateful speech and demand apologies. The Obama campaign has criticized the lyrics, but we call on the presumptive party nominee, who is the celebrated subject of the new song, to go even further: Publicly condemn the song. Demand an apology on behalf of the targets. Now."
Ludacris could not be reached for comment at press time.
