July 31, 2008
This Week in Rap Music: Ludacris Is a Problematic Advocate for Obama

Kevin Allocca | Bio

This week, Ludacris released a new underground jam "in support" of Barack Obama. It has made everyone SO ANGRY.

Below you will find the audio plus my annotated lyrics, wherein I describe, line-by-line, everything that is incorrect and outrageous about this song.



Here we go:


I'm back on it like I just signed my record deal
Is that a popular time to be "back on it?"

Yeah the best is here, the Bentley Coup paint is dripping wet, it got sex appeal
Never should have hated
You never should've doubted him
With a slot in the president's iPod Obama shattered 'em

I am skeptical about these introductory lyrics. I have found that wet automotive paint is not the aphrodisiac it is here made out to be.

Said I handled his biz and I'm one of his favorite rappers
Well give Luda a special pardon if I'm ever in the slammer

Ok, this is ridiculous. You cannot get a "special" pardon. There is no such thing. If anything, Obama would give Ludacris a regular pardon (which is a thing), but even that is seriously unlikely as there is usually a complicated vetting process for presidential pardons, particularly in a first term.

Better yet put him in office, make me your vice president
How can you justify being put on the presidential ticket with Barack Obama with ABSOULUTELY NO POLITICAL EXPERIENCE? Selecting a celebrity who has no demonstrated public service or even a working knowledge of the government would certainly undermine the ENTIRE campaign.

Hillary hated on you, so that bitch is irrelevant
There is no doubt that the primary infighting was slightly detrimental, but to declare Hillary Clinton an irrelevant national figure reveals a severe lack of understanding of the political climate. The amount of support she drummed up during the primary would be completely imprudent to disregard.

Jesse talking slick and apologizing for what?
Describing the Reverend Jesse Jackson's offhand, uncouth remarks as "slick" is an egregious misrepresentation.

If you said it then you meant it how you want it have a gut!
How can you not understand that, as a prominent African-American political figure, Reverend Jackson cannot make such an inflammatory statement without there being widespread media repercussions that must be apologized for? I mean, do you actually know anything about the news?

And all you other politicians trying to hate on my man,
watch us win a majority vote in every state on my man

Again, there is a clear misunderstanding of the electoral process here. It is silly to even suggest that an American candidate could carry the majority vote in every single state, particularly in this election year.

You can't stop what's bout to happen, we bout to make history
The first black president is destined and it's meant to be
The threats ain't fazing us, the nooses or the jokes
So get off your ass, black people, it's time to get out and vote!

While your enthusiasm is well-intentioned, I MUST take affront with the insinuation that the African-American community is sitting down all day. I have met several African-Americans and each was a hardworking, active individual that spent much of the day walking around or also lying down. This is a racist mischaracterization.

Paint the White House black and I'm sure that's got 'em terrified
Yes! I'm sure TOO that we'd all be a little frightened if someone were able to circumvent one of the most highly-trained security teams in the world to cover the White House in black paint, which is A) a difficult paint to work with in the first place and is B) one that requires the application of several coats to be effective.

McCain don't belong in any chair unless he's paralyzed
What? Are you referencing some kind of special "president" chair that he doesn't "belong" in? Additionally, even amongst inner city gang members, it is in poor taste to wish paralysis on someone.

Yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped
This particular lyric is just too unbelievable to even consider. To charge that a man was elected to the presidency of the United States via a process that requires significant number of very public medical examinations and tests without anyone discovering a latent mental handicap is simply implausible.

Ball up all of his speeches and I throw 'em like candy wrap
How?? As it is widely known, most speeches written in the 21st century are digitally created and then transferred to a teleprompter leaving no paper to "ball up." In general, the lack of research that seems to have gone into this "song" is appalling.

'cause what you talking I hear nothing even relevant
Whether or not you agree with his policies, the statements of George W. Bush dictate domestic policies that have a widespread impact and are quite "relevant" to Americans.

and you the worst of all 43 presidents
Again, this charge betrays Ludicris as NOT the student of American History one would think him. Hellooo?? James Buchanan??? As I recall, George Bush did not allow secession of half of the United States.

Get out and vote or the end will be near
There is nothing factually wrong with this, I just do not appreciate its fatalistic tone.

The world is ready for change because Obama is here!
'cause Obama is here
The world is ready for change because Obama is here!

I respect repetition as a lyrical device, but I find its use here to be redundant.