John Kerry Loves Himself Some Hip-Hop

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"When asked about music, he entirely ignores the all-state, all-camp answer — Clay Aiken — in favor of the left-wing 1999 response, which still plays: "I'm fascinated by rap and hip-hop. I think there's a lot of poetry in it. There's a lot of anger. A lot of social energy in it. I think you better listen to it pretty carefully."

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/30/arts/television/30HEFF.html

― Sym (shmuel), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 01:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Done.

Now what?

― m.e.a. (m.e.a.), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 01:30 (twenty-two years ago)

This has got to be poll-tested. Do you think he could answer any follow-up questions? Like, what's his favorite hip-hop album? How long has he been listening to hip-hop? Could he quote a rap song?

― Sym (shmuel), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 01:31 (twenty-two years ago)

He'd probably just pick Outkast. The presidential election is the Pazz & Jop of politics.

― Sym (shmuel), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 01:32 (twenty-two years ago)

That he at least knows to say generalities like this is an improvement from the norm.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 01:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Not to sound too whatever here, but at least he's acknowledging it. You cynical fucks. At least he's bothering to pay lip service to a constituency that will obviously mock him for it anyway. I respect that.

xpost

― Huck, Wednesday, 31 March 2004 01:35 (twenty-two years ago)

I keep thinking of that scene from the Simpsons of Gore listening to Kool and The Gang, but more like.

GET LOW! GET LOW!

"I will!"

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 01:54 (twenty-two years ago)

no way he woulda said Clay Aiken

― cinniblount (James Blount), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 02:00 (twenty-two years ago)

i wonder what his thoughts are on brit-hop

― s1ocki (slutsky), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 02:01 (twenty-two years ago)

what a poser.

― keith m (keithmcl), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 02:02 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah that Clay Aiken line does seem a bit absurd. I'd suggest he run with a Clintonian U2.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 02:13 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm actually very happy that he's pro-hip-hop instead of using it as an easy target like every 90s politician. But seriously, I doubt he actually listens to that much hip-hop. He just didn't want to say Bruce.

― Sym (shmuel), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 02:14 (twenty-two years ago)

clinton never endorsed u2! clinton's a pete brotzmann freak

― cinniblount (James Blount), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 02:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Kerry'd be safe saying Coldplay. In fact, he probably thinks Coldplay *is* hip-hop.

Anyone else hear MP3s of Kerry's garage band?

― Josh in Chicago (Josh in Chicago), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 02:17 (twenty-two years ago)

it's a stiff, probably focus-group-tested, answer, yeah, but personally i really don't care if my president listens to hip-hop or not. i *do* care that he lets me listen to it. and if all kerry's answer does is signal that he's ok with that, then it's a good answer as far as i'm concerned.

for whatever it's worth, the dude is a serious guitar player -- he was taking weekly lessons in washington at least up till the beginning of his campaign -- and clearly a music fan. he may not like the same music you like, but i'm pretty sure that doesn't make him evil or anything.

― fact checking cuz (fcc), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 04:37 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm way more afraid of a candidate trying to be cool and namedropping, I don't know, Nelly or Missy or something, sending the right-wing media into a frenzy digging up every "objectionable" lyric in the name-droppee's repertoire and forcing the candidate to backpedal and say they didn't actually endorse that music, making themselves look stupider than ever and pissing off everyone. Let's face it, there's not a lot of upside in hip hop for a presidential candidate. I like Kerry's answer, because he's not claiming to actually listen to the music, just that he thinks it's interesting. Which I can almost believe, because he does at least seem like a guy who finds lots of things interesting.

― spittle (spittle), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 04:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Biggest way to lose ILM's vote in the next election = say something rockist.

― djdee2005, Wednesday, 31 March 2004 04:59 (twenty-two years ago)

"pete brotzmann," man that kills me.

― hstencil, Wednesday, 31 March 2004 05:12 (twenty-two years ago)

"Biggest way to lose ILM's vote in the next election = say something rockist."

Damn straight.

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 05:18 (twenty-two years ago)

By the way guys, I heard George W Bush doesn't like chart pop because it isn't authentic.

― djdee2005, Wednesday, 31 March 2004 05:20 (twenty-two years ago)

BTW: kerry never said he likes, or listens to hip hop. he said he's fascinated by it and that WE should listen to it.. *carefully*. i'd like to see the quote in context.

if anyone needs me i'll be sitting at my computer playing old ice cube albums in accordance with kerry's demands.

― astroblaster (astroblaster), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 06:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Surely "Get Low" would be more of a Bush anthem, as the entire world weeps and the sky turns red over his victory rally.

― Ronan (Ronan), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 09:12 (twenty-two years ago)

How about this, doodliedoos? He has better things to do than keep up with contemporary music rubbish, like run for PREZ-O.

So who gives a fuck? He paid his homage to hip-hop. Ket the John Lenin photo speak. STFU.

― Kracalaxor Belowd, Wednesday, 31 March 2004 15:25 (twenty-two years ago)

LISTEN TO IT CAREFULLY CHILDRENZ FOR FEAR OF BEING TURNED FUNKY.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 15:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Him being from Boston, I'm just glad that he didn't say Juliana Hatfield or Buffalo Tom.

― Pleasant Plains (Pleasant Plains), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 16:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Though a Morphine mention would been cool.

― The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 16:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Surely "Get Low" would be more of a Bush anthem, as the entire world weeps and the sky turns red over his victory rally.

I was thinking "Dipset Anthem" - its more lock-step chantable.

― djdee2005, Wednesday, 31 March 2004 17:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Bush = "Santana's Town (Dip Set)"

MUCH more suitable for a death march.

The interview where Kerry says that was on MTV last night and he immediately followed that up with this:

"Do I think that sometimes some lyrics in some songs have stepped over what I consider to be a reasonable line? Yeah, I do. I think when you start talking about killing cops or something like that, it bothers me. I understand, I'm still listening because I know that it's a reflection of the street and it's a reflection of life, and I understand all that. I'm not for the government censoring or stepping in. But I don't think it's inappropriate occasionally to talk about what you think is a standard or what you think is a value that is worth trying to live up to."

― Rollie Pemberton (Rollie Pemberton), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 17:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Is he running for President in 1992?

― morris pavilion (samjeff), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 17:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Bush = "Santana's Town (Dip Set)"

Thats the song I meant.

― djdee2005, Wednesday, 31 March 2004 17:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Is he running for President in 1992?
-- morris pavilion (xp75hid0...), March 31st, 2004.

Did you write that post in 1996?

― The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 17:44 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't follow. (You don't think it's funny to be talking about "killing cops" in reference to rap lyrics, in 2004? His whole "reflection of the streets" line sounds very 1992.)

― morris pavilion (samjeff), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 17:49 (twenty-two years ago)

"Cop Killer" wasn't a rap song, and there's still lotsa anti-cop rap. And even if he hasn't heard any rap since Heavy D had a hit, he probably hasn't followed rock that much since Garfunkel went solo.

― The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 17:56 (twenty-two years ago)

I like that he says, "I'm still listening..."

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 18:02 (twenty-two years ago)

(to the extent that it indicates a willingness to understand hip-hop, and admit that he doesn't quite understand it yet)

― jaymc (jaymc), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 18:02 (twenty-two years ago)

"Cop Killer" wasn't a rap song

Which is kind of the point, right? Look, I couldn't care less what Kerry thinks about any kind of music. It just sounds like he's using a decade-old Candidate Template for how to talk about rap, which strikes me as kind of funny.

― morris pavilion (samjeff), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 18:17 (twenty-two years ago)

"sending the right-wing media into a frenzy digging up every "objectionable" lyric in the name-droppee's repertoire"

They aim to please

"When two ex-presidents, a former vice president and a presidential candidate – all of the Democratic Party – got together last week for a unity pow-wow and fund-raiser, the entertainment included a gun-toting representative of the gangsta culture.

Though the Democratic Party is known for its aversion to firearms – especially handguns – and has pushed legislation limiting gun rights, there in the midst of this high-level, supposedly distinguished affair was the rap group Outkast, which promotes itself with an image of one member of the duo brandishing a gat. "

― LondonLee (LondonLee), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 18:21 (twenty-two years ago)

It gets better:

"Many parents across America are struggling to figure out ways to protect their children from the effects of a corrosive and pervasive pop culture that promotes death, drugs, violence and sex. Apparently the Democratic Party is not concerned with any of that. It is more concerned with courting the votes and support of mindless, programmed, amoral automatons who look up to performers like Outkast."

― LondonLee (LondonLee), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 18:24 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm just afraid Bush will start gushing about Kenny Chesney and Good Charlotte and win again via the key "contrarian vote"

― Gear! (Gear!), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 18:27 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.blink182.com/images/johnkerry.gif

― morris pavilion (samjeff), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 18:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Were they going to mention that the same ultra-violent thug was wearing a pearl bracelet and a Miss America sash? And that there are no actual references to gun violence on Andre's disc? Or that the gun is PINK?

― Rollie Pemberton (Rollie Pemberton), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 18:43 (twenty-two years ago)

hhttp://www.mediacollegepublisher.com/media/paper565/stills/mj45hyeb.jpg

― Gear! (Gear!), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 18:50 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.mediacollegepublisher.com/media/paper565/stills/mj45hyeb.jpg

― Gear! (Gear!), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 18:51 (twenty-two years ago)

blah

― Gear! (Gear!), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 18:52 (twenty-two years ago)

"I'm still listening," Kerry said, "because so far this Grime shit strikes me as a lot of hype and bluster. Dizzee's beats are fun, but the early '90s bragodoccio lyrics leave something to be desired. I'm looking forward to Wiley's album dropping, though."

― Ben Boyer (Ben Boyer), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 18:56 (twenty-two years ago)

JOHN KERRY HOLA ATHCA BOY IF U EVA IN E-TOWN. WE LL PUTI IT DOWN ON WAX DONT LISTEN TO THA HATAZ

― djdee2005, Wednesday, 31 March 2004 19:07 (twenty-two years ago)

"On the whole, hip-hop is corny now," Kerry continued, "except for Outkast no-one is changing the game. I like Coldplay, Chris Martin is my nigga."

― Sym (shmuel), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 19:07 (twenty-two years ago)

maybe a shout-out to "Roadrunner" would be appropriate

― Cap'n Nascar (Donna Brown), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 19:09 (twenty-two years ago)

While I'm relieved he didn't go for the Clay option, to suggest that he's truly captivated by Hip Hop seems a bit unlikely (the man's a Peter, Paul & Mary fan, fer chrissakes!)

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 19:09 (twenty-two years ago)

wait, I thought Chris Martin was MY nigga!!!!!!!

― Donna Brown (Donna Brown), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 19:10 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm sure someone here has already asserted this same opinion, but honestly....who cares what music a presidential candidate likes/listens to? And if anyone is actually swayed because a certain candidate claims to listen to a certain artist, that person probably shouldn't be fuckin' voting (or should, at the very least, re-address the criteria with which they make their decisions).

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 19:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Well if noone who voted because of stupid shit could vote...very few people could vote.

― Sym (shmuel), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 19:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Sad but true, Sym.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 19:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Well this is a welcome change of position from the old democratic position of Tipper Gore in the 80s yes?

Remember when Al Gore got on MTV and told a black kid with dreadlocks that he was against music that used the word "bitches"?

― djdee2005, Wednesday, 31 March 2004 19:17 (twenty-two years ago)

I mean, I don't think this statement as anything at all to do with what type of music he listens to but how willing he is to speak to the growing contingent of voting-age hip-hop fans. You know, the ones who undoubtedly helped 50 Cent become the best selling album of last year (this includes myself). The fact that he shows some respect to hip-hop is a political move - a very smart one that preemptively tries to keep votes from being siphoned to nader or no one at all.

― djdee2005, Wednesday, 31 March 2004 19:19 (twenty-two years ago)

yo j kerry waddup boy i just wanna say u so hawt but i aint gonna vote 4 u unless you down with fiddy holla back pres wannabe

― beyoncetron (nickalicious), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 19:21 (twenty-two years ago)

yo j kerry waddup boy i just wanna say u so hawt but i aint gonna vote 4 u unless you down with fiddy holla back pres wannabe

Dude use caps lock, please.

― djdee2005, Wednesday, 31 March 2004 19:28 (twenty-two years ago)

"I was able to catch a show on the "Fuck Clear Channel" tour," Kerry laughed sheepishly. "Went in disguise. Wore a backpack pulled tight and all that. I think Sage Francis is ill. But Aesop, man... you need the Oxford English Dictionary to decipher the shit he's spitting!"

― Ben Boyer (Ben Boyer), Wednesday, 31 March 2004 19:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Someone needs to ask him about Jay-Z vs. Nas.

"Nas is the better lyricist, you know? But Jay really had him on that 'one hot album every ten year average' thing."

― djdee2005, Wednesday, 31 March 2004 19:31 (twenty-two years ago)

john kerry's new television ad features him rebutting allegations from the bush camp with his new slogan "BITCH DONT GET IT TWISTED"

― astroblaster (astroblaster), Thursday, 1 April 2004 06:40 (twenty-two years ago)

the dude is a serious guitar player

well, he's better than i am, at least. most of what he plays is classical.

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Thursday, 1 April 2004 15:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Kerry's on one of the Get Low remixes for fuck sake.

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 1 April 2004 15:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Since when has Clay Aiken been the all-state, all-camp stock answer for a politician's music tastes?

― Barry Bruner (Barry Bruner), Thursday, 1 April 2004 15:39 (twenty-two years ago)

It would be so spiritual if he played Classical Gas

― ModJ (ModJ), Thursday, 1 April 2004 15:40 (twenty-two years ago)

"While I deeply respect the hip-hop community, I stopped listening to music around the mid '90s. When Bruce decided to leave Maiden, I saw that there was no point of listening to music anymore."

― Cacaman Flores, Thursday, 1 April 2004 19:00 (twenty-two years ago)

one month passes...

The First Rap Song Ever Written About John Kerry
By JODI WILGOREN

Senator John Kerry typically walks on and off stage to the blare of U2's "Beautiful Day," though lately his campaign has been experimenting with the folksier "Johnny Be Good." Next up could be a little hip hop.

As Mr. Kerry met for a half hour Wednesday afternoon in Orlando with 10 local health care workers at a community center in a heavily Hispanic neighborhood, 14-year-old Philip Wickham, the son of one of the participants, sat against the wall, scribbling something on white lined paper. When Philip presented the paper to Mr. Kerry, the candidate, appearing moved, said: "I like that, man, that's fantastic."

"I'd like to hear that," Mr. Kerry added. "I'd like to hear you rap that."

Only two reporters were allowed into the small discussion, but excerpts provided by one of them shows a partial transcript provided by one shows that Philip was listening.

"Kerry, Kerry, is what I hear," he rapped. "Well I'm gonna tell you something Mr Kerry — I feel your time is near.

"I support you 100 percent, and I would love for you to be the leader.

"I know your plan is to clean up the country and make it neater.

"You're a keeper.

"I don't have insurance and I love that you're struggling to make it cheaper.

"I'm scared to get hurt, because if I break my finger one day.

"I can't go to the hospital 'cause I don't got the money to pay.

"Words come out, but I don't got nothing to say.

"It feels like the family will never be stable.

"We livin' in the ghetto, with a broke down TV and no cable.

"I take a shower in unclean water.

"My mother don't get insurance for her son or her daughter without my father.

"It's a struggle, the money divides by double.

"My family's in trouble.

"My dreams are with angels and fairies.

"But the most important thing is that you'll vote for John Kerry.

"And the votes will Kerry/carry.

"You want to know why?

" 'Cause you are meant to be America's president."

Red-eyed, Mr. Kerry gave Philip a big hug.

― morris pavilion (samjeff), Friday, 14 May 2004 20:26 (twenty-one years ago)

"red eyed" from emotion or just blunted?
america decides.

― Forksclovetofu (Forksclovetofu), Saturday, 15 May 2004 04:03 (twenty-one years ago)

tonight i sang 'just what i needed' at karaoke but changed 'i think you're just what i needed' to 'john kerry's just what i needed'. georgia is a red state no more.

― cinniblount (James Blount), Saturday, 15 May 2004 05:33 (twenty-one years ago)

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