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Posts Tagged “Barack Obama”

Kix Brooks comments on Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama using his song to cap his nomination speech last night: "Seems ironic that the same song Bush used at The Republican Convention last election would be used by Obama and the Democrats now," Brooks said. "Very flattering to know our song crossed parties and potentially inspires all Americans." [Post Rock]

5 comments

they get comments

Barack Obama's Song Choice Brings Together Republicans, Democrats, And Trance Lovers


After Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama finished his (terrific) speech last night, the twangy chords of Brooks & Dunn's "Only In America" flooded Invesco Field, as well as the speakers of all those people watching at home. With its lyrics about big American dreams and how they sometimes fail, it was a natural fit with the "let's make America great again" thrust of Obama's speech. (Curiously, the track was also used by George W. Bush's campaigns in 2004, although I'm going to chalk that up to another case of "campaign song choice that's the result of only listening to the title being sung.") But how did the song choice play out there? Let's go to what is, for better or worse, a representative sampling of our citizenry: The comments section of the video's official home on YouTube. More »

9:00 AM on Fri Aug 29 2008
By Maura Johnston
520 views, 7 comments

Latest by Captain Wrong: @dippinkind: I had the same thought. Half expected to hear Rockin' in the Free World too. more »

conspiracies

Is Radiohead Trying To Upstage Barack Obama?

A cryptic note about downloading video-conversion players popped up on Radiohead's site today, and the people over at Hidden Track have interpreted it as a sign that the band will simulcast its Santa Barbara Bowl show this evening. If this is the case, the festivities kick off at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET—a curious bit of scheduling, given that Barack Obama is scheduled to give his big, historic Presidential nomination acceptance speech at exactly that time. Is Radiohead going to actually provide a score for Obama's speech and invite users to listen to their computers and their TVs simultaneously, Dusk At Cubist Castle style? Or is something more nefarious afoot, something that will shake the blogging world to its core? [Hidden Track / thanks thomaswheatley]

1:30 PM on Thu Aug 28 2008
By Maura Johnston
510 views, 5 comments

Latest by Ned Raggett: And I just gotta say -- stellar, stellar show. more »

run-d.n.c.

The RZA Delivers Some Of The Most Astute Political Commentary Of The Season

Unsurprisingly, the number of concerts and musically enhanced protest rallies surrounding the DNC in Denver this week has brought forth a more-than-equal number of blog posts covering them. You'd expect a site called Pop + Politics to be inside the events, and they've recently posted two good write-ups of Wyclef Jean's performance and his call for Latino communities to get behind Obama. But the showstopper is this video interview with the RZA, in which the Wu-Tang Clan CEO explains how "Obama went platinum" (and citing numbers), talking about how his priors prevent him from voting, and then urging 18-year-old black men to vote because they've "got eight years to make [their] move": "A black man, by the time he's 25, he's either locked up or dead." (It's also worth mentioning that Pop + Politics is doing excellent DNC coverage outside of music.) [Pop + Politics]

4:30 PM on Wed Aug 27 2008
By Michaelangelo Matos
253 views, 4 comments

Latest by bnb614: Someone ask RZA what he thinks about Joe Biden being pro-RIAA. more »

poor choices in soundtracking

A Note To The Democratic National Convention's Music Director


As clever as playing Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" while Michelle Obama leaves the stage after her speech at the Democratic National Convention seems, considering the title, perhaps it would be worth actually listening to the song's lyrics for a bit and realizing the "she" referenced the lyrics is a baby. The line "Less than one minute old" might be the tipoff—plus I doubt Michelle Obama would care to be referred to as "precious." [Salon]

10:30 AM on Tue Aug 26 2008
By Dan Gibson
1,042 views, 16 comments

Latest by Cam/ron: @Clevertrousers: The house band played "Living in America," which reminded me of that Rocky IV scene where Brown fronts an obscenely tacky Vegas show to the Soviets' amusement. more »

oh well

Bruce Springsteen Will Not Give Barack Obama A "Dancing In The Dark" Moment

Rumors that Bruce Springsteen would formally give the Barack Obama Presidential campaign his blessing by performing after his acceptance of the Democratic Party's nomination on Thursday in Denver are 100% not true, according to sources in the Boss' camp. The story was that Springsteen would perform an unplugged song or two after Obama's big speech at Invesco Field, and that he'd share the bill with fellow New Jerseyan Jon Bon Jovi. But "he's definitely not performing nor attending and has never planned to do so," one campaign insider told the Washington Post. Man, who's going to fill the rumor void now? We still have two and a half days to go, and the stories about a new John Legend song aren't really cutting it. [Post Rock]

9:30 AM on Tue Aug 26 2008
By Maura Johnston
537 views, 5 comments

Latest by Charlie Kerfelds Jetsons Tee: Flowbots! They're from Denver, right?! /puts gun in mouth more »

show business for ugly people

This Just In: John McCain Doesn't Hate All Celebrities--Just Those Who Don't Want To Vote For Him

People are surprised by Daddy Yankee's endorsement of John McCain, but really, shouldn't the fact that the reggaeton singer's New York City record-release party was sponsored by rightward-leaning piss substitute Coors Light have been a hint that dude isn't exactly going door to door for [insert lefty cause here]? (And how well-timed is this press blitz around the release of his album, anyway? Some reporters just refuse to admit that they're being played, I tell you.) Next thing you know, people will be shocked, shocked to relearn that Toby Keith is a Demo—sigh. [AFP]

5:00 PM on Mon Aug 25 2008
By Maura Johnston
328 views, 9 comments

Latest by Clevertrousers: Daddy Yankee and John McCain... a one-riddim musician for a one-note candidate... more »

political song for john rich to sing

John Rich Wants You To Vote For McCain Without Even Looking At Him


John Rich has released the video for his pro-John McCain country boilerplate "Raising McCain," and it's a curious clip for one reason: There isn't a single shot of the Republican Presidential candidate anywhere in it. In what I'm assuming is a way to prove to the Obama-infatuated kids out there that yes, young people actually are going to vote Republican come November, the clip is instead populated by a bunch of Rock Of Love casting-call rejects who are waving around "McCain" signs. (There is one—but only one!—older woman in the audience, who I guess has been placed in the clip because of concerns over "authenticity.") I understand that getting McCain to the video set was probably tough because he's in full-on "learn about the Internet before that CNN debate" mode, but were the video's producers so scared of turning away the youth they wouldn't even sneak in a still shot of McCain looking even semi-Presidential? More »

9:30 AM on Fri Aug 15 2008
By Maura Johnston
265 views, 4 comments

Latest by n/a: Will.I.Am is horrible, regardless. He's produced some bangers for other people, but he sucks anytime he shows up. more »

punked grammar

Rage Against The Machine Make Me Wonder Why No One Knows The Difference Between "Peek" And "Peak" Anymore

Professional agitators Rage Against The Machine have already announced that they're playing a Minneapolis concert as the Republican National Convention takes place there next month, and today came an announcement that they'd be headlining an anti-war show in Denver that just happens to be timed so that it coincides with the Democratic National Convention. (The Coup and the whitey rappers Flobots are also on the bill.) Brooklyn Vegan's post of the show had the above screenshot of a page on the DNC site, and I like to think that it serves as a snapshot of how our country's future leaders want to change... the meanings of homophonic words. Sigh. Anyway, if you're going to be in the Denver area, info on the Rage show is after the jump. More »

12:45 PM on Thu Aug 14 2008
By Maura Johnston
657 views, 11 comments

Latest by CarsmileSteve: iwas thinking "but there's no gay-bashing in that screen cap" andthen i reread your sentence carefully... more »

thanks but no thanks dept.

Barack Obama Not All That Thrilled By His Latest Endorsement


In 2006, they were best buds, but now Barack Obama and Ludacris have a bit of a fraught relationship thanks to the MC's pro-Obama freestyle, "Politics As Usual," that showed up on DJ Drama's latest Gangsta Grillz mix. Apparently verses like "McCain don't belong in any chair unless he's paralyzed" haven't really made the Obama campaign all that happy, given that they could be very easily twisted by any right-wing radio hack out there (and probably already have). But in an effort to bridge the gap, the Obama campaign decided to go the "you're better than this" route in its official statement denouncing the lyrics: "This song is not only outrageously offensive to Sen. Clinton, Rev. Jackson, Sen. McCain and President Bush, it is offensive to all of us who are trying to raise our children with the values we hold dear. While Ludacris is a talented individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics," said Obama campaign spokesperson Bill Burton. I hope Kanye West is taking notes for his Obama intro on Sunday night! Lyrics after the jump. More »

12:00 PM on Thu Jul 31 2008
By Maura Johnston
417 views, 9 comments

Latest by Jay Smooth: Cmon, y'all.. line 5 should read "Obama shouted 'em", and the Jesse line should read "how you want it, head or gut?" I expect Huff Post to get the lyrics wrong but Idolator should be on point! Then again if the more »

Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell doesn't know anything about any appearances by Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama at this weekend's installment of the festival, but he does know that Kanye West's crew has been making some noise about it: "That's definitely been the rumor, and it's been coming from their camp, so I really can't conform that at all. I positively cannot confirm that. I hear that it's his birthday that weekend, so he might be in town. But these guys—you're never going to know anything until the last minute anyway. That's what I've been told. I've heard those same rumors, and that would be really cool, right? But there are definitely no guarantees. You'll just have to settle on listening to great music." And sweating in the 90-plus degree heat. Don't forget about that part! [MTV]

2 comments

thug nomination 101

Young Jeezy Recalls Meeting With McCain, Compares Self To Obama

I know what you're thinking: "Why should I care who Young Jeezy endorses more than any other groaning once and former coke dealer with a poor actual-rhyme-to-verse ratio?" But unlike Rick Ross (I presume), Jeezy actually met one of the presumed presidential nominees during a shared Saturday Night Live appearance. "John McCain is cool, but he looks like a fraud to me... I told him the 'hood was fucked up, and he was like, 'How you doing?' Real talk. They know entertainers, so they shake your hand [and say], 'I'm your friend.' But my mama is about to have surgery that I gotta pay for out of my pocket because she can't get insurance. I don't really feel McCain." Aw, but I'm sure McCain feels you, Mr. Snowman! More »

3:30 PM on Wed Jul 2 2008
By Anthony Miccio
377 views, 4 comments

Latest by encyclopediablack: And by change, he means shitty ad libs. more »

Jay-Z has become more politically aware over the past few years, but don't expect Barack Obama's implicit endorsement of him to serve as a gateway to a run for higher office: "No. Ha ha ha! No, they'll kill me in 30 seconds. 'Shit! This guy's in!' Bang! Ha ha! I won't make it past the primaries! Ha ha! They talk about Obama's priest—imagine what they'd do to me! My friend is locked up! Ha ha ha! That's funny." It's probably for the best, since dude is too busy working on buying a piece of the—ugh!—Yankees right now. [Time Out London via XXL]

5 comments

go on, nbc, dust your glasses off

"Today" Can't Remember What Jay-Z Looks Like


Anyone wondering why Today would bother to ask "what is Rolling Stone's fascination with Barack Obama?" discovers just how unfamiliar NBC News must be with the gritty street culture promoted by the magazine when a picture of rapper Joe "Pump It Up" Budden appears at 1:20, alongside a mention of former Def Jam CEO and 60 Minutes subject Jay-Z. Ironic, as you'd think it'd be much harder to find a photo of Joe Budden. The narrator seems to finds the tastes and opinions of this Obama fellow (he likes rap... but doesn't like the naughty lyrics!) perplexing throughout the piece, so maybe we should just be glad they didn't show John Legend when describing Obama's love for Steve Wonder. [TVNewservia Nah Right]

3:30 PM on Thu Jun 26 2008
By Anthony Miccio
153 views, 3 comments

Latest by jasonelias: Well they could put that powder keg John McCain on the cover but they actually want to sell magazines. more »

In what I see as a pretty unsurprising development but the Times Of London sees as something that "contains much symbolic significance," Bob Dylan has endorsed Barack Obama's presidential candidacy. "Well, you know right now America is in a state of upheaval," he told the Times. "Poverty is demoralizing. You can't expect people to have the virtue of purity when they are poor. But we've got this guy out there now who is redefining the nature of politics from the ground up...Barack Obama. He's redefining what a politician is, so we'll have to see how things play out. Am I hopeful? Yes, I'm hopeful that things might change. Some things are going to have to." [Times Online via RS]

7 comments

at least we know dmx will stay out of it

It's Time To Stop With The Obama Music Videos


As you may know, YouTube has seen a number of lousy music videos in support of Barack Obama. I understand that his mix of populism and dreaminess is enough to woo even the most jaded Brits and Canadians, but c'mon, the election isn't until November. Can you musician types pace yourself a little? More »

10:30 AM on Fri May 9 2008
By Dan Gibson
198 views, 2 comments

Roger Waters: Littering For Obama "Those who live near the Empire Polo Fields, where the Coachella Music and Arts Festival was held, woke up this morning to something that looked like snow, according to some residents. Thousands of small pro-Obama fliers littered the ground after they were dropped from a plane flying overhead last night during Roger Waters' set around 11:25 p.m., residents said." (Here is where I note that I'm posting this because when these fliers were being dropped—which was, I believe, about two hours earlier than this report says—I seriously thought that the plane doing the littering was either a) raining confetti on the crowd or b) engaging in anti-Floyd-fan chemical warfare.) [The Desert Sun via PopWatch / Photo: AP]

4 comments

here's where the strings come in

Obama Using Indie Rock To Get North Carolinans To Vote Early

In order to promote North Carolina's new One-Stop Early Voting program, which allows voters to register if they haven't already and cast their ballots at the same time, Barack Obama's campaign will be giving out free concert tickets in several counties during the early hours of Thursday, April 24 . The shows will feature North Carolina's own Superchunk and everyone's favorite Canadians, the Arcade Fire. I'm trying to imagine a politically energizing Superchunk set that doesn't involve "Slack Motherfucker," but I just can't do it. More »

4:45 PM on Wed Apr 23 2008
By Anthony Miccio
453 views, 12 comments

Latest by n/a: @spinachdip: Ha, we also get a lot of Edwin McCain. Need I say more? more »