The Martlet

Tupac Shakur may have been right when he rapped, “and though it seems heaven-sent, we ain’t ready to have a black president” on his track “Changes,” posthumously released in 1998. Now, a decade later, times have changed. Tupac’s political outcry of a past generation could soon become a contradictory statement, with Barack Obama currently ahead in the polls heading into the presidential election south of the border.

If Obama succeeds in the election on Nov. 4, it will mark the first time in U.S. history that an African-American will guide the country as a president. The possibility has aroused an overwhelming sense of positive change across the globe and has inspired many, including members of the music industry to get involved in the political process and to reach out to Obama in support of his cause.

New York hip hop mogul Nas sampled Tupac’s compassionate “Changes” verse with the chorus of one of his new singles about Obama entitled “Black President.” Nas’ track samples Obama’s voice chanting “Yes we can, change the world,” seemingly responding to the Tupac verse in the background, all layered over top a catchy drum-roll beat. “Black President” continues with Nas providing insight into his perception of Obama: “But on a positive side, / I think Obama provides hope — and challenges minds / Of all races and colours to erase the hate / And try and love one another, so many political snakes / We in need of a break / I’m thinkin’ I can trust this brotha.” Though the repetition of Obama’s voice shouting in the chorus might be a little overboard, “Black President” remains a poetic, political show of support for Obama.

A few other hip hop tracks that are showing Obama love include “Yes We Can” by Will.I.am, “You’re All Welcome” by Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige and a “Letter to Obama” by Joell Ortiz.

After years of anti-George Bush hate music, it’s refreshing to hear something hopeful about a politician. Presidential candidates have never been such a cool subject to rap about and have quickly replaced blunts and clubbin’ as the number-one topic to grab your crotch and sing about.

This is also the first time in recent history that a presidential candidate has received such positive support and feedback from artists in the music industry, particularly from the hip hop community — an unusual trend reversal, especially when contrasted with hip-hop spokesperson Kanye West’s controversial remarks in 2005. During a Hurricane Katrina televised relief fundraiser, the Chi-town rapper claimed “George Bush doesn’t care about black people.” The only thing more questionable than Kanye’s commentary was the reaction of Canadian comedian Mike Myers, who was on camera with Kanye at the time. (You can watch the video on YouTube — it’s Austin Powers funny.)

Kanye hasn’t been the only artist using celebrity status to openly criticize George Bush on camera or in music with the hopeful intentions of influencing his large numbers of fans. Other mainstream anti-Bush artists include Pearl Jam, the Dixie Chicks and John Mellencamp. A line-up of 200 bands including Green Day, the Foo Fighters, Offspring and Pennywise have teamed up with PunkVoter.com, a website that has been actively responsible for co-ordinating voter registration drives, a Rock Against Bush Tour and the production of a two-volume “Rock Against Bush” musical compilation.

There aren’t a lot of Canadian artists compiling songs about American politics. In fact, things just aren’t that Hollywood-dramatic for Canadian politics — so don’t expect Swollen Members to start incorporating Stephen Harper into their rhymes any time soon either. But Victoria band Funk Vigilante have been venting their extreme distaste for Bush with a Canadian spin.

Funk Vigilante mash together old-school funk, modern metal and a high-energy Rage Against the Machine sounding flow. In their new single, “Worst President Ever,” lead singer Ghosty Boy screams sarcastic protests at Bush: “I swear to God he’s retarded / he can barely speak English / How did this dick ever get to be president to begin with / Idiot-in-chief acting thinkin’ he’s above the law / did everything short of / killing a baby on the White House lawn.” The song is crude, vulgar and mildly funny. The video for “Worst President Ever” can be found on the band’s website. Ghosty Boy’s screamy lyrics fade out the track with a repeated feel-good “Fuck you Mr. President” that slides in nicely with the beat and is accompanied by masses of middle fingers in the video’s background.

Funk Vigilante’s hatred for Bush runs so deep that the website even has an electronic counter designed to count down his soon-to-expire tenure — down to the second.

Obama’s stance on hope, change and a promise of uniting a divided nation has garnered the presidential candidate a multitude of supporters on an international scale. He is a political figure who is able to connect with younger generations and contemporary pop culture in a way John McCain has a limited ability to do.

Believe it or not, Obama and dirty-south rapper Ludacris are reportedly peers; Obama was happy to have Luda open a 2007 fundraiser for him in Atlanta. As for the Republicans, Blender Magazine’s profile of McCain’s musical taste revealed that the presidential candidate’s all-time favourite song is “Dancing Queen” by ABBA.

Just picture a dude in charge of one of the biggest superpowers in the world listening to that song every morning in the shower. The need to replace Bush’s perpetual incompetence and McCain’s utter ancientness force a quote from Ludacris: “Move bitch, get out the way.” Obama is in the house.