Column:

Candidates court rappers' endorsements

By Charles Austin

Published Nov. 3, 2008

Everyone knows that Barack Obama is the rock star candidate, only running for president so he can boost his album sales. But what about rappers?

Indeed, one of the most important demographics in this election was rappers. Pundits predicted that whoever could successfully court the rap vote would come out on top in this election. Now, it's true that Barack Obama is already the most heavily name-dropped presidential candidate in the history of rap music, considering that Benjamin Franklin never actually ran for president. But despite their homogenous, interchangeable music, today's rappers are quite varied in their political views. To help shed some light on how our nation's most beloved musicians voted, I've compiled a selection of rappers' thoughts-in their own words-on the issues affecting the nation today.

The youth vote was crucial in determining the outcome of this election, and nobody knows that better than Young Jeezy, Yung Joc, Young Buck, the Youngbloods, Lil Wayne, Lil Jon, Lil Kim, Lil Boosie and the artist formerly known as Lil Bow Wow.

Yung Joc hoped to see that gas prices continued "goin' down." Whether he's headed for the mall, the club or the trap, if he wants to keep his rims spinning ceaselessly, he demands that our next president has a plan to keep gasoline affordable.

Lil Jon hoped to see mortgage rates "Get Low," in order to ensure that he and the East Side Boyz can still secure affordable housing amidst all this recent economic tumult.

Death didn't stop the Notorious B.I.G. from releasing new albums and it sure didn't stop him from voting in this election. Even in death, it's been mo' money mo' problems for Biggie Smalls, and for this reason he opposes Barack Obama's tax increases for the wealthy.

"It's like the more money we come across, the more problems we see," said a spokesman on Biggie's behalf.

A lot of pundits in the mainstream media have yet to speak with Dr. Dre about what he thinks of this election. Though he's been low key, I myself haven't forgotten about him, and in fact he was willing to share his thoughts with me.

"If it was up to me, you muthafuckas would stop coming up to me with your hands out looking up to me like you want something free," he said, ridiculing the redistribution of wealth that would take place under an Obama presidency.

The Ying Yang Twins have been particularly silent about this election. While they have admitted that one candidate's fine but the other candidate's killer, they have yet to disclose who they would like to see in office come Jan. 20. If you're angered that they're not yet at liberty to reveal their choice, just wait till you see their pick!

T.I., on the other hand, endorsed Libertarian presidential nominee Bob Barr, on the grounds that "we can do whatever you like," with a Libertarian in office. To those who would ridicule him for his obscure choice, T.I. simply asks, "What you know about that?" insinuating that voters should perhaps invest more time researching third party candidates before judging him for his views.

But whomever you chose to vote for, Akon just wanted to see you winding and grinding up on that polling booth. Even if you feel like nobody wants to see you and your candidate of choice together, it don't matter, no. The important thing is that you, like Akon, let your voice be heard, even if your voice sounds like a mentally deficient robot singing into an empty soup can.