Politics–Obama is Here by Ludacris
By APOOO • Jul 31st, 2008 • Category: Tell It Like It Tis Thursday •
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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Thumbs Up or Down?
Thank God for freedom of speech–which means basically you can say whatever, whenever about anybody in America. But did Luda go too far this time? Why or Why Not?
Will this rap (song) have any impact on Obama? If so, how?
Overall, what do you think about the rap? Luda called ALL OF THEM OUT–Bush, Hilary, McCain. He said Hillary was an irrelevant bytch; McCain–”don’t belong in ANY chair unless he’s paralyzed.”; Bush–“Yeah I said it, ‘cuz Bush is mentally handicapped/ Ball up all of his speeches and throw ‘em just like candy wraps/ ‘Cuz what you talkin’ I hear nothin’ even relevant/ And you the worst of all 43 presidents.” And he didn’t let Jesse Jackson off the hook either! ”Now Jesse talkin’ slick and apologizin’ for what?/ If you said it then you meant it.”
Who did he forget? Who should he add. 
On a positive note, he also told folks to GET OUT AND VOTE.
Get out and vote or the end’ll 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, yeah
cuz Obama is here
If you would like to read the entire lyrics to the song, CLICK HERE.
I’m out and while I don’t necessarily condone Luda’s lyrics, from a marketing/publicity perspective, this was a great move for him. Definitely very controversial and sensational but guess what–He even has old heads (like me) listening to the song to find out what’s the big deal.
Your turn–APOOO says share your comments.
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He didn’t do any worse than the people at the New Yorker and their “satirical” cover. The commercials Hilary and McCain has put out. The garbage Jesse Jackson said on television. I don’t think anyone should be offended or upset.
I was not offended by the commercials or the magazine. I am not like many who get upset over the things which makes no sense to me…like some people’s opinions. I have my own opinion as well. Like how in the hell did we allow Bush to be in office for 8 years doing absolutely nothing but making mothers cry as they get to hear their child is dead.
No everyone would agree with me. But it is what it is. Thank God for freedom of speech.
I just listened to this song, and I have to say, it made me stoop and go hmmmm. I too don’t condone Luda’s lyrics, but he has stepped on some toes that need stepping on (Bush and Jessie for sure). I’m pretty sure this will appeal to some. But the heart of the matter is that we as African Americans need to make our presence known at the polls. Not just this election, but every election. The younger you are when the message sinks in, the less likely you are to feel hopeless about affecting change.
I believe we are giving these misogynistic, disrespecting, ebonically embracing rappers too much attention. Ludacris is no more relevant than those he slams. I will let him have his opinion, but the bottom line is: He is just another “white noise” buzzing around whose message I’m not able to get/even want to understand due to his packaging. Bump him.
Jennifer–I’m feeling you…this is nothing to get hyped about. We need to get hyped about REAL ISSUES.
Diva D–To the polls, to the polls, to the polls…LET’S GO VOTE!
Sydney–Tell us how you really feel…lol.
sydney where were you on the these misogynistic, disrespecting, ebonically R & B singers constantly telling us to have sex and thats all it cracks me up how women suddenly come out and talk about the lyrics when for years R and B was telling us to not respect women as our wives but just GET OVER like a FAT Rat or ITs Morning and as we lay hahaha please RaP/R&B/ Heavy Metal the issue it is lack of alternative voices and alternative media. Thank god for the internet where Yas and other can post stuff like this which get us to converse. But back to the question – IF someone ANY ONE who has the public’s attention has the ability to be revelant if they take the opportunity i dont think that Luda’s words can hurt Obama. Just like i don’t think Chuck Norris endorsement and words help McCain.
I find this entire debate interesting. Why is it that we are “our brother’s keepers” and are held responsible for other Black folks actions, while white folks misdeeds are considered “isolated incidents” and doesn’t reflect the views or actions of white america as a whole? That’s double standard BS!
I hate the fact that Obama has to distance himself over ANY and EVERYTHING that is considered too Black, which equals too radical and too scary for white folks to understand.
Now , knowing what has transpired over the Rev. Wright, Father (???–forgot his name) incidents, Luda could have done the song with a little more class if he really wanted to support Obama.
Martin–I agree Luda’s words shouldn’t hurt Obama and if it does…those folks DIDN’T PLAN TO VOTE FOR OBAMA ANYWAY…to the left to the left or should it be right (for right wing) or racist (for those Nobama clowns).
TAvery–I hear you about that brother’s keeper sentiment…and my momma told me along time ago…don’t be embarrassed and don’t take on no one else’s burden…because you’re only responsible for you. I left by that mantra today.
I don’t condone bad-mouthing folks to make your point so I don’t condone his lyrics.
The only thing it has done is gain more press for Obama. It seems every time folks do something or say something that’s meant to harm Obama, it only helps his campaign more and more. Controversy keeps his name out in the news. I’m sure McCain’s camp are pissed that their ad backfired on them.
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Martin,
The shoe fits for R & B as for rappers/heavy metal/rock and roll/pop, etc. Ugly ways/sayings are still ugly no matter whose mouth spouts it.
I am not a fan of Luda so I really could care less what he raps about. I do believe that he has the right to say what he think/believe/feels. I am just getting damn SICK and TIRED of Obama having to APOLOGIZE for every damn thing somebody Black says. Its that entire way of thinking that we are all monolithic(sp?). Every red blooded American should be appalled by any and everything that comes out of President Bush’s mouth. Talking about a freakin embarassment. Yet, no White person comes out and says—-you know we are sorry, he doesn’t speak for us or represent our way of thinking. STOP expecting Obama to be an apologist for every ignorant thing that comes out of some fools mouth who happens to share his skin color. UGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! Anyhoot, I can see this becoming a huge hit, controversy sells, especially when it has a beat to it.
Raven–AMEN we black folks have to stop being programmed to feel that whatever one of us does it represents the entire dayum race because if that’s the case…every white person is dumb, stupid, ignorant because of Dubya! Not…so give us the same respect!
Why Luda? He will probably go platinum now
LOL Phyllis Ann and we know this although my son says he didn’t make it for the money…QQ.
APOOO i love this great concept keep up the great work i think you are at the National Bookclub Conference? if so have a great time if not neither am i LOL . But to Sydney we have agreement, lets share a latte and chat more! Back to subject at hand yes he didnt do it for $$$ alot of people in all walks of life are happily supporting Obama and wearing their Obama pins. For lyrical entertainers they contribute via song like Will-i-am so Luda thought this is the best way – Alicia Keys thought a shoutout/t-shirt was best way……But McCain is hopping mad like Hiliary was cause Obama keeps being the “non stick rubber pan” whatever you say slides slides off slides slides off HEHHEHEHEE. But whatever Obama says about McCain Associated Press, CNN, MSNBC and even FOX run it for a full news cycle per day HaHAHA. Rubert Murdoch even says “Obama will win. McCain has problems.”
Watch the video – Rupert Murdoch says Obama is a rock star! and McCain has a LOT of Problems and is unpredictable. Another Man in Manlove/lust for Obama hehehehe poor McCain
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/05/obama-a-rock-st.html
Martin–I hope Murdoch is right…and I’m an Obama supporter but he couldn’t have picked a WORSE time to run for President. I sure hope he’s not treated like Jimmy Carter was…sigh.
Going to watch the video…but also let us not forget that Dukakis had a significant lead–at this same time–when he ran against Daddy Bush. Right now, Obama only has a slight lead, and his campaign needs money because the Democrack Nobamas don’t want to support him. So songs are nice…but mula is even better. I encourage everyone to put their money where their mouth is…$25 goes along way when millions of us are donating it…to help put this man in office in November.
WE CAN DO THIS!
GO OBAMA!
Sometimes, that whole FREEDOM OF SPEECH thing irks me because half the shit people say don’t ever need to be said; it’s not for the betterment of anything. It’s only to spread hate, to rile people up and hardly ever in a good way.
In regards to Luda – yeah, he can rap whatever he wants, and yeah, there has been a lot of shit slinging and ignorant (and truthful to some point) things said during this entire campaign on both sides,
Who does Luda help – beside his pockets – for doing this song? Does it help Obama? Probably not. Does it hurt him? Maybe. If Obama wasn’t running, the song probably wouldn’t even exist, so to me, it’s like if you’re really trying to support Obama, um, find a better way to do it.
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Luda has the ear of many young African-Americans. So for those old enough to vote…he got the point across. Luda felt he was helping out! For those with his mentality who might not otherwise get out and vote, so be it! We still have freedom of speech! It’s time for change and if this song gets a few more voters to the polls to make the change happen, so be it! If you don’t like the channel, change. If you don’t like the music, change. If you don’t like the book, don’t read it, change. If you don’t like how our country is being governed, CHANGE is in the vote!
Shon–as with any freedom we have to take the good with the ugly.
Jatana–CHANGE is definitely in the vote.
Obama has to stop Reacting to Everything the people who Support him put out there…Focus on the Issues!!!
He needs to also stop reacting to all the Negative (Grandpa) McCain puts out there…laugh and keep it moving…it’s only going to get worst before the Nov Eelection.
He is so not ‘His Brothers/Sisters Keeper’
(On Luda: He’s exercising his Freedom of Speech..will I go out and buy this (which I doubt will be on a CD) Nope…was he wrong for Blasting those people or did he tell the Truth…his truth)
SLisa–I think it’s easy for us to say he needs to stop responding…but as someone who works in a Government Press Office…unfortunately we’re not allowed to ignore it. ;(
I know (as a former gubment worker) but it really gets on my nerves…its seems that he has to spend so much time on what ‘Others’ put out there that it takes the focus away from the Real Issues.
Hmmmmm perhaps that’s what they (the other side) wants…something to think about!
SL–exactly it’s distracting…and that’s exactly the way the other folks like it…sigh.
I think that Luda made people think and spoke out on what most people are thinking. My thing is everytime anyone says something positive about Obama he has to watch his arse because people take it out of context and he has to ostrize himself from them.
I agree with SL…Luda exercised Freedom of Speak and spoke his truth…but he definitely was NOT speaking for me…he’s not eloquent enough with his words to do that…hehe.
You know, Luda is speaking to those that listen to that type of music and speak the type of language on a regular. Dissin’ is a part of life in the rap game, the hood life, da street … whatever you wan to call it. He is speaking somone’s language and might have even interested him/her to learn more about the beef.
Personally, I think it is in poor taste. He has his rights though. I do agree with what was already said in that Obama should not have to apologize for all the black folks that do something dumb to support him. Of course he has to make clear that he does not endorse that message and move on.
Agree with everything you said Wanda.