Critic's Notebook: The failure of Ludacris' pro-Bama song was inevitable

I highly recommend New York City blogger and radio dude Jay Smooth’s commentary on last week’s non-confrontation between Ludacris and Barack Obama. Jay’s view is that the incident -- which involved the rapper-actor offering up a pro-Bama song that the candidate (through his campaign spokesman, Bill Burton) deemed too offensive for use -– is a “Ludacris problem,” pure and simple, and that the rapper’s failure to give Obama what he needs simply distracts from the larger, much more positive relationship the candidate has with hip-hop culture, and vice versa.

One line from Jay’s testimony stood out for me. Pondering why Ludacris could possibly think Obama would be down with a song that pins an obscenity on Hillary Clinton and menaces John McCain with the threat of bodily harm, Jay says: “Apparently, Luda is so accustomed to being inside the hip-hop echo chamber, he didn’t even realize he was in mixed company now, and it was time to put some pants on and get decent.” Amusingly stated -- and suggestive of how this silliness reflects an ultimately insurmountable gap between artistic and political expression.

I’m not saying there can’t be great American political music -– there’s a ton of it, from Nina Simone to Woody Guthrie to Nas, whose own Fela- and Tupac-referencing pro-Obama song “Black President” might be the best so far -- but rarely is it effective in serving a political campaign. Musical subcultures have their own rules, conflicting with the art of compromise that informs mainstream politics. Observing the thrill running through the hip-hop community at Obama’s candidacy is fun and edifying, but I’m surprised it’s taken this long for a misunderstanding to arise.

The style of hip-hop that Ludacris has turned into pop gold is all about artistic outrageousness. Just because he’s gone Hollywood in movies such as “Crash” and shown a softer side on Mary J. Blige’s hit “Runaway Love” doesn’t mean that shock isn’t still key in his art -- and his popularity. Right down to his stage name, Christopher Bridges projects a farcical extremism that’s key to his brand of hip-hop.

Many hip-hop intellectuals have made the link between hip-hop and previous forms of black artistic button-pushing, from the blues to blaxploitation films to the comedy of Richard Pryor. Rap’s over-the-top boasting and colorful threats connect all the way back to the bawdy insults of “the dozens,” a form of black humor with its roots in slave days. The violent language of gangsterism evokes mythical figures like Stagolee.

Lately, these elements have resurfaced as foundational to the music of the Dirty South, producing powerful new artists such as Lil’ Wayne, who has the complexity and unpredictability of a classic trickster figure. Ludacris is not quite at that level, but he has his moments. “Politics as Usual” is hardly one of his artistic high points. Yet it was a bold move. He tried to use the language of his chosen medium for a new purpose. His failure was personal, but perhaps it was also inevitable.

The whole little mess recalls a famous one from an earlier presidential campaign: Ronald Reagan’s attempt to enlist Bruce Springsteen as an advocate, based on conservative mishearings of his song “Born in the U.S.A.” A simple reading of the song’s verses, which express the bitterness of a Vietnam vet, would have tipped off Reagan’s advisers that the Boss’ endorsement was not in the cards. This time, it was the candidate who reached out and couldn’t negotiate the gap: Reagan (or his people) misunderstood the basic nature of a classic rock anthem.

“Born in the U.S.A,” like “Gimme Shelter” and “Baba O’Riley” before it, attaches a spirit of uplift to an outsider’s message, essentially oppositional and incendiary. Such songs aren’t any more appropriate for a mainstream campaign than Ludacris’ rap turned out to be. This all goes to prove that political music is among the hardest forms to crack. Whoever makes the next effort had better do some serious thinking before unleashing his or her flow.

-- Ann Powers

Photo of Barack Obama meeting with Ludacris in 2006 by Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

CORRECTION: The original blog entry referred to Ludacris' song as "Politics (Obama is Here)" but the correct title is "Politics as Usual."

Comments

[aj]

Wow, the logical contortions of pretending that wrong is right.

Why not quote the lyrics since that's what you're talking about:
"Hillary hated on you, so that b^$&%* is irrelevant"

If you know anything about this man's work and that of other rappers like him, you would know that is isn't just Hillary that's irrelevant - all women are irrelevant, and most especially old ones since they can't provide the one use they have to men. Ann Powers you are irrelevant to Ludacris.

[Svarten (Sweden)]

There are lots of good songs supporting Obama, but the media seems to be obsessed of ONE really bad song/rap. It doesn't make sense.

Here you will find more than 130 of the best song in support of Barack Obama. Enjoy!
http://tinyurl.com/2t4mjf

[Arcane VI]

after i listening to the song last week- all i could think was two things: 1) Luda shoulda known betta 2) Luda shoulda known betta.
Ludacris lost quite a few cool points after that. I would have thought someone of his caliber would have presented a song and video more tasteful than this. I mean his song "Youse a Ho" was bashing women really extreme, but it had a decent beat, and the lyrics actually SOUNDED good. why couldn't he think that a song like "Obama is here" with its 2nd rate beat and 3 rd rate melody- would not even make it off the ground, let alone with childish lyrics that remove alot of the advances Obama has seemed to make with the 'white is right' crowd. Shame on you, Ludacris.

[Alex]

No matter how you spin this trashy song, it stinks, like 99% of rap and hip-hop. You can't mask the stink with words like "art".

[Andrew]

Has Ludacris ever even worn a suit?

[MissClarity]

Oh sure the words rhyme and the beat, well it's a beat but the words reveal a classlessness, tastelessness and a song writer void of decency but rather full of his self who can't discern the difference. It's a fine example of a man thinking again with his brain and we all know that always lead to a 3 second you know what that doesn't even sustain an "ah". On the otherhand, this does not reflect on Obama but rather on most men who think the song is cool man, cool.

[CC]

Get a grip folks, it's just a song.

By the way, Hillary Clinton supporters, as passionate as you are allowed to feel about Hillary Clinton, others are allowed to feel that passionate about their candidate. When you wail and scream about rough treatment, you inadvertently validate the notion that politics is too hard for women. You're doing more harm than any performer ever could.

[fred]

reality check. rappers need to be thrown under the bus obama. oops... i mean they need to be thrown under that 757 that you fly around on burning up gasoline, and promoting "change". what personal values you have shown: liking lucacris, putting his songs on your ipod, jay-z, rev. wright, cigarettes, etc... but all the while - obama says that he only knows the positive things about his associates. what next, all inner city schools should teach english in ebonics instead of proper grammer. nice shirt (sarcasm) at the top. one of the greatest individuals in the history of the world - ben franklin, not obama - and ludacris is desicrating the man by glorifying the money. additionally, that is a former first lady, and current member of the U.S. senate - show your respect you piece of garbage.

[BB]

And if this guy gets elected, he can have Luda re-write the Star Spangled Banner to a militant rap song degrading everything American.

[Lynn]

" And you shall know them by the company they keep". Yep, Obama, we know you . . . far too well.

[THA JUST]

Considering that I am a rapper, a son of a father that served 24 years of my life defending this country, a very OPEN minded individual that appriciates and listens to ALL forms of music, and a black male with the passion to right all that is wrong with our country, I feel my opinion should be at least respected if not agreed upon. Luda is a very talented person and a good hearted person. He does alot for his community, which is more than I can say to most that choose to talk negative on online blogs toward a whole culture, such as HIPHOP, instead of physically doing something to make a difference with our society. You see, Luda has seen things that alot of you, god willing, will Never relate to nor understand. So he speaks on these things. Just like Tupac, Biggie, Nirvana, Metallica, Jonny Cash and other great artist before me. In fact, I am typing this email next to a great friend of mine that is in a rock band. I won't type what he just said about all of your responses, but I will say, it's sad. I understand if you don't understand our lingo. Hell, I even understand if you do not like any rap. But please don't Disrespect a whole culture, that has provided alot of people with hope. Luda is speaking for the way alot of PEOPLE feel. Maybe not the ones you associate with. Cool. But the ones we know. Many people of different cultures are tired of the way things are and have been. I have 2 cousins and many friends that are over seas right now. There isn't a say that goes by that I don't worry about them and hope they make it home. I will admit, luda should have been more careful with his words. But let me translate. he was not saying that Mccain should be harmed. He was using what we call a metaphor. Kind of like poetry. Instead of looking at what he wrote lets look at why or better yet, lets REALLY analyze what he wrote. He said "McCain don't belong in any chair unless he's paralyzed. " Now if I didn't know any better I would jump the gun too. I would think this crazy rapper guy is talking about violence, here we go again, right? What peopkle didn't read after that line is " yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped" People he is saying that BUSH IS NOT SMART, so McCain is going to be the same way. I.E. there will not be change. So the only way McCain should be is a chair, in his opinion, is god forbid, if the man in paralyzed. He didn't say I want him paralyzed !!!! He also said " paint the white house black" Well people for years my people and many other people have been under the impression that there would ALWAYS be a white male president. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but if there is to ever be a black pres lets face it, alot of non black people will be terrified. That is a fact, sorry. Life goes on. He said " Hillary hated on you, so that b^$&%* is irrelevant
Jesse talking slick and apologizing for what?"

Now I am a Hiliary fan, cause I was mainly raised by my mother, because my father was out to sea. But he is saying Hilary had it in for him at one point and time, so she is not relevant as far as the vice presidency is concerned. Did she not? Now this is a area that I always have to seem to defend. And it usually with people over 40, please no offense. but I have friends that don't even like rap that are near and dear to me. They are white gilrs that live in Scottsdale Arizona. Very cool people, but they use bitch more than I have in ANY of my songs. Should I censor them, no. I understand it's their lingo. Do they rap, nope. As I mentioned they don't even like rap. But we are all friends and they are as open minded as I am. Like the girls I have a lot of black and white male friends that don't like rap either. Seriously. They don't I respect that. They use the word bitch alot as well. So what does this mean. they all are referring to women when they say it? Or maybe it means they all mean it in a derogatory way towards the famale gender. Look, though I respect people that do not like cursing, its a part of our language. I just came from New york for a video shoot. Right in the heart of Manhattan, off Madison and 56th Ave, there was a nice dressed "older"business man cursing on his phone like a sailor, no pun intended. My point, my guess is he does not listen to rap, but uses the language. If you have ever listened to Luda, he has lyrics that may put down a certain number of wemon, BUT has many lyrics that talks about them in a positive way. Like my mother says " They are not talking about me, because I am not a bitch, so it doesn't bother me." I take offense to ANYONE that feels that all rap is derogatory. I would die before I talk about my mother or ANY real Woman in this world. But if I make a song about my Ex that used me for my money, Disrespected my family, Cheated on me with her class mate and sleeps around, I am sorry to Me SHE IS A B*tch. But it does not mean, that I think you are. As rappers, we talk about what we see. The world is not perfect. Although I wish it could be. As for the Jesse Jackson thing. Well lets face it people that was the most ignorant this anyone has said in a long time against a political figure. And he does not rap. And he is a man under the Lord. Hmmmm. Here Ludacris, is simply stating if you say something be a man or Woman and stand by it. Doesn't start apologizing because you got causght, because that is fake. Finally Luda says that he didn't vote in 2004. In the same song, he talks to the younger listeners to Vote now. infatc, he doesn't even question it. he says We are voting now. Do you realize what power that has to the younger listeners?!?!? I have mever voted before. true story. I almost signed in to the Air force a couple of years ago but never voted. Why you may ask? because I felt my voice was not heard. I felt I loved my country, but hated my lying greedy government. This will be the 1st year that I will vote. To be honest i am excited. And I would have voted if it was Hillary and not Barak. Because I feel women have suffered at least as much as the Black culture has. Plus, I like Hillary and Bills plan. Well alot more that I like there campaign, but that's neither here nor there. So I hope to someone out there this gave a bit of insight and understanding, if not, I tried. But please, before you respond , Know I am not defending any wrong as one person wrote. But what is really wrong. The fact that he wrote a song that what intended to help that was misdirected and unfortunately written with more passion than thought. Or that we are becoming hypocrites to the very ideas we go against. If a person speaks a different language, do we demolish their character? You see you understand Obama's speeches. Well a younger crowd understands Ludas. It's just lack of communication. But at the end of the day, we all want the same. Change. Let's focus on the Bigger picture people. Was the Bettles Wrong for protesting the war ? How did your parents take their music? What did they think of Elvis? You get my point. Art is not a taste art is an Idea. So to the person that feels Rap is not art, well my friend you are no Artist, so how do you know? I leave the perscriptions and remedies to the doctors, because I know my job, not theirs. We are too close people to go back. And to the McCain voters, I respect McCain because he is a US Hero. I just prey he uses the same leadership and heroism he used in war, if he wins. But by us dividing by differences, we are seperating this great country, not bringin it closer together. This was written by a rapper, the mind of a scholar, and the heart of a poet. Now that is JUST.

[kat in your hat PUMA]

First of all, not only is Obama supposedly a fan of Ludacris, Luda was also a fundraiser for Obama.

Put this in perspective:

Obama's fundraiser called Hillary an irrelevant bitch.

It's DISGUSTING.

BTW, Luda: What's wrong baby? Can't do math? Obama can't even win a goldfish at a carnival without Hillary's supporters...IDIOT.

I say NO DEAL.

[kat in your hat PUMA]

First of all, not only is Obama supposedly a fan of Ludacris, Luda was also a fundraiser for Obama.

Put this in perspective:

Obama's fundraiser called Hillary an irrelevant bitch.

It's DISGUSTING.

BTW, Luda: What's wrong baby? Can't do math? Obama can't even win a goldfish at a carnival without Hillary's supporters...IDIOT.

I say NO DEAL.

[J.P. DeLaire]

My name is J.P. DeLaire. I am currently the Sax player for Michael Bolton. I am formerly of Prince and Donny Osmond. I wanted to share my new music video in support of Barack Obama. Here is the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yCtb3gbjp4
Please click "Watch in High Quality"

After several months of witnessing some of the music videos and messages that are currently being aired on TV and across the Internet by various artists, I was inspired to address my support for Obama's candidacy in a more serious tone.

"In My Life" touches on multiple world events that have affected our communities across the globe, and to our detriment here in the US, under the current Leadership. My belief is that Obama is the Leader who inspires and is able to make change. Obama's ability to communicate and unite is powerful. He is innovative, humble, charismatic, believable, genuine and extremely soulful. His ability to connect to a newer generation of people is what is appealing to me. We are a nation that is thirsty for truth and spirit behind what is being presented to us, and I believe that Obama is the person that is able to deliver.

I wrote, "In My Life" to get people to think and feel...

We are bright and intelligent people. Let's get out and vote, and enable CHANGE!

Warm Regards,
JP DeLaire

Jason Peterson DeLaire
(w) www.jpdelaire.com

(e) jpdsax@aol.com