TROUBL

1. Lanelle

   For some reason I’m having a little trouble trying to watch to videos you posted but just to comment on the subject, I think the rap community’s support for Obama will turn some Americans away from him. I was soooo mad over this controversy surrounding Obama and Luda. Its ridiculous. They took lyrics from 1 song and blew it out of proportion. It seems as if anytime someone attacks McCain the media goes crazy about it but when someone attacks Obama you hardly hear about it. Like when the KKK openly threatened Obama’s life during a Faux news interview when the campaign first started last summer. Or how about the shirts that refers to Obama as a monkey? You don’t hear about these things unless you are REALLY following the campaign. I kind of feel like this is some type of conspiracy. Luda is not the first supporter of Obama to be scrutinized. Maybe we need to ask why Obama’s supporters are scrutinized and not McCain’s.

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   TROUBLMan reply on August 4, 2008 11:04 am:

   I feel you. It’s totally insane that people are blaming Obama for rap lyrics. The good thing is this is all the conservative have. They can’t attack his record, so the attack the records made in his support. The bad thing about it is that it has the potential to work. So far, Obama has done a good job of neutralizing his blackness. But now that rappers are coming out in his support, the media can highlight it even more.

   The funniest thing about the whole situation is that Fox News, specifically Sean Hannity claim that rappers are Obama’s radical friends. Since when have rappers become radical. As far as I’m concerned, most rappers help perpetuate the shit conservatives profit from, ala drugs, guns, etc.

   At the end of the day rap grabs the attention of those who like it and those who don’t. Fox news is smart because they use it to sell ads. While the voter are dumb because they allow it to influence their votes.

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2. "A Mom"

   I question some of these artist’s motives. Are they really for him or are they just pumping up themselves?

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   TROUBLMan reply on August 4, 2008 11:22 am:

   They’re really for him. It took a minute for him to win their support because most rappers’ are suspicious of politics. Still, hip-hop wants to see a black man in office. It’s hip-hop that has created an America where young people from all race and class backgrounds can come together and party. It has created a common language and culture that is bringing young Americans closer than any previous generation. If rappers come of a lil sideways when it come to politics forgive them. Most are new to the political arena.

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   "A Mom" reply on August 6, 2008 12:47 pm:

   After all is said. I hope they are supporting him because he is the right person, not just because he is black. Hip -hop represents a large amount of our young people and we want to give them the right message. This is a do of die situation in our history. If we get this right, maybe the next generation will have a chance.

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3. Lanelle

   You are so right and its something I tend to forget. Rappers, for the most part, are new to the political arena so maybe they don’t realize the damage they could have on the campaign. But wouldn’t you think that people close to them would say something? I mean, everyone isn’t clueless when it comes to politics.

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   TROUBLMan reply on August 4, 2008 12:04 pm:

   True, but I’m a lil conflicted by the whole matter.. Yes, they influence many people but they shouldn’t censor themselves because voter are ignorant. The voters need to be more responsible. Instead of allowing the media to frame the debate, they need to see past the rhetoric and judge the candidates from their histories.

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4. Alwayswrite

   Man, that shit is hot. I like that. I don’t see how you can take any negative from that video. Big Boi spitting the truth. I think videos like this, even Luda’s comments, show a more robust version of hip-hop. Some rappers, believe or not, have something to say. People tend to forget that, especially with today’s rap music. Big Boi’s video should do nothing but promote a positive spin for rap music and Obama. I saw NOTHING wrong with that video, nothing. If some people are offended, then they are offended by the truth. That’s a personal issue that can easily be fixed–vote for the right person who has intent on fixing shit.

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5. troublsome

   I think for those who are actually listening it won’t.. I think for those who just hate rap music and the hip hop culture, it will definitely have a negative influence on. Even way like Big Boi said: “Something’s gonna have to give”…

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6. L&F

   http://hypebeast.com/2008/07/nas-protests-sly-fox-news-in-new-york/

   ^ this relates.check it out

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7. C3

   Whether it’s a rapper or some deranged surrogate, both sides have more than enough targets to use to “prove” the other candidate is unfit. It’s the politics of fear and youtube. Fuck the facts, spin the rhetoric.

   I think both sides have been hit with this [maybe we just pay closer attention when it's Barack]. Unfortunately, like Troublman said, it works. Obama’s crew better make sure they hit back harder… this is a blood sport and there is no room for nice guys.

   My question is, will this tactic from the right wing backfire since most of the consumers of rap are white youth? After all, among the many groups Barack is energizing, white youth are right up there… maybe the rappers will actually influence them to vote for Obama. Wouldn’t that be some shit? Stranger things have happened…

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8. Q.

   this ish is for the birds..

   first of all, the song was crazy.. fire.. hot.. whateva you want to call it.. second, the song is also hard for Obama to cosign just because of the lyrics.. BUT, that shouldn’t matter.. anybody that votes for Barack is seen as the dudes advisor.. can i get a world introduction? cuz i def’ have said some ish about Hillary, GW and McCain, and don’t plan to stop..

   this is just sad..

   but to answer your question, i don’t think it will be the end, cuz hip-hop also has A LOT of numbers behind it.. they lucky it’s not a world vote..

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Reply to “Rock the Vote”

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