Common; He will change hip hop forever

Obama "is going to change hip-hop for the better," predicted the rapper, whose eighth album, "Universal Mind Control" (G.O.O.D. Music/Geffen), hits shelves Tuesday.

"I really do believe we as hip-hop artists pick up what's going on in the world and try to reflect that," he told CNN, outlining his belief that mainstream as well as so-called "conscious" rappers -- the more socially aware -- will pick up on what he sees as the more optimistic prospects of an Obama presidency.

"I think hip-hop artists will have no choice but to talk about different things and more positive things, and try to bring a brighter side to that because, even before Barack, I think people had been tired of hearing the same thing

Chuck D Goes IN with his opinion

I have a straight razor opinion about the electoral process in the USSA right about now. Since they've reduced politics into a game of sports highlights, people ask me these loaded questions, expecting some half baked safe ass answers. First of all, when folk ask 'what do I think about BARACK OBAMA?' - I dig the dude, although I think his track record has been conservative as hell for various reasons so he could get ahead in Uncle Sam's eyes. Cool, whatever... But I also retort that I think the United States needs 16 years of the man's intelligence, energy, and later as he develops a savvy and presidential skill while working in the public eye. To me Amerikkka is still about race like a black and white old TV set. There is no way one can avoid the race issue here in these image projected times. That's why I think that BARACK OBAMA can best serve the rebound image of the USA as the 'greatest Vice President' the country has ever had. Think about it. The VP position the past 8 years of bush and dick has been a position of power for all the wrong reasons. This is not 1936, every millisecond of presidential pressure will be felt by someone trying to lead the country the right way, not just the 'white' way. The way to lessen the pressure job is to have a powerful vice prez, cabinet, and to basically not give a damn. And today the VP position in Amerikkka can't be looked at as a second place job, rather a point guard position to the scorer. Or in CHI speak SCOTTIE PIPPEN.

Ludacris- Obama is Here (Song)

Russell Simmons For Obama

NEW YORK (AP) — Russell Simmons has been pushing young people to vote, but for a while there, it was looking as if the music industry heavyweight would have trouble casting his own ballot.
Not anymore.

The hip-hop mogul said Sunday he is endorsing Barack Obama for president, inspired by the diversity among the Illinois senator's supporters. Obama has built an unprecedented national movement of people from all ethnic, racial, political, social and economic backgrounds, Simmons said in a news release.

It was a little more than a year ago that Simmons, the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings who says he's an independent who has supported Democrats and Republicans, sounded as if he was having a hard time deciding.

its Over....She can say what she wants

With 338 electoral votes and 52 percent of the popular vote, Oprah has two words for you when it comes to Illinois Senator Barack Obama—"Mr. President!"

The Democratic president-elect's victory against Republican Senator John McCain is being called "a day shimmering with history" by The New York Times, and the Chicago Tribune says Tuesday, November 4 was a time to marvel at a "once inconceivable moment."

A supporter from the beginning, Oprah says President-elect Obama's election marks a new day for America. "May I just say, for those of you who have been loyal viewers who voted differently than I—and 52 percent of the country—did I respect your choice and understand how you might be feeling somewhat disappointed today," she says. "So I do understand. But my deepest hope is that in the days and weeks ahead, we will all come together with the same renewed spirit that we took to the polls, because we need each other now more than ever."

Throughout the past nearly two years of campaigning, Oprah says she vowed not to use her show as a platform. "So I kept my mouth shut and supported Barack Obama as a private citizen," she says. "Today, though, the election is over—and I'm unleashed!"

"Who Do you Listen to" by Byron Sampson

In today’s society, the image of a leader has changed. To young people, a role model is someone who entertains them rather then someone who is really about making change for the better good. The mass media tries to introduce us to the individuals who are worth idolizing but it is actually the famous news reporter them self that gets more attention for what he or she is saying. Its not right, but people actually draw their own opinions on political issues based on the personal view points of someone else. For example, with middle age ladies, if Oprah expresses her opinions towards the policies of a current political leader, then the viewers watching will either agree or disagree, and in doing so, they then for their own opinions. Musicians play a great role in delivering us information, because if they can deliver it in a way that is simple and catchy through one of their songs, then people will pay more attention to that.
Why do people have a particular news program that they watch or a specific radio station that they listen to, it is not because the news is better, they all have the same news, it is because of who is delivering the news and how it is being delivered. People watch particular news broadcast because of the reporter, it is the person in the public eye, they are medium between you and what is going on. So this brings me back to my original question, who do you listen to?

Rapper Jay-Z to Headline Weekend Inaugural Club Party

Jay-Z at a “Last Chance for Change” concert Oct. 29 in Cleveland. (Photo: Tony Dejak/Associated Press)
Updated
The Brooklyn rapper Jay-Z, whose lyrics President-elect Barack Obama channeled on the campaign trail in a swipe at his former rival, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, will headline an inaugural weekend opening party in Washington.


Jay-Z will appear at the Love nightclub on Friday, Jan. 16, the club’s owner, Marc Barnes, said in an interview on Monday. (An original version of this post indicated that Jay-Z would perform, but Mr. Barnes later insisted that he would be a host at the gala event and would not say whether the entertainer would perform.)

Mr. Barnes has not set ticket prices, but said that tickets will likely start at $100 and go as high as $10,000 for tables. The tickets go on sale next Monday, he said.

Love, a four-story upscale nightclub in the D.C.’s northeast quadrant that boasts 5,000 party-goers a night on weekends, is a regular stop for celebrities traveling in the area.

Last April, in Raleigh, N.C., Mr. Obama dismissed jabs from Senator Clinton by brushing imaginary dust from his shoulders, a reference to Jay-Z’s song “Dirt Off Your Shoulder.” Within hours, YouTube users uploaded video mashups of the candidate’s gesture with the tune as a soundtrack.

Mr. Obama later acknowledged that Jay-Z was among those on his iPod playlists, along with Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder, among others.

Jay-Z was an ardent supporter of Obama during the primaries and the general election, campaigning for the Democrat and headlining events as well as allowing the Obama campaign to use several of his songs. In his latest CD, “The Blueprint 3,” the rapper who built an empire from his impoverished roots to become a millionaire, made his support plain.

“I rock with Obama but I ain’t no politician,” Jay-Z rapped.

(An earlier version of this post misstated the lineup of other entertainers on Friday night. Singer Akon and rappers T.I. and Young Jeezy will not be at the Friday night event, according to Mr. Barnes.)