Ludacris added his name to the long list of Hip Hop artists who openly support Sen. Barack Obama‘s presidential campaign when the two men met back in 2006. Now, after the release of the “Politics (Obama is Here)” freestyle [click to listen], the Illinois senator’s camp is not too thrilled with Luda taking shots at President Bush, Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. John McCain and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
The song, which is featured on the DJ Drama assisted, “Gangsta Grillz: The Preview,” calls Clinton“irrelevant,” and refers to her as “that bitch.”Luda also pokes fun at McCain‘s age and health and gives what many would call an accurate evaluation of Bush‘s job as president by calling him “the worst of all 43 presidents.” Yesterday, Obama spokeswoman Melanie Roussell issued the following statement in regards to the song:
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“As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he doesn’t want his daughters or any children exposed to. This song is not only outrageously offensive to Senator Clinton, Reverend Jackson, Senator 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.”
Prior to release of the freestyle, Obama spoke highly of Ludacris and a few other Hip Hop figures, despite his disdain for some of their subject matter.
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“I know Jay-Z, I know Ludacris, I know Russell Simmons,” Obama told Rolling Stone. “I know a bunch of these guys. They are great talents and great businessmen, which is something that doesn’t get emphasized enough. It would be nice if I could have my daughters listen to their music without me worrying that they were getting bad images of themselves.”
Representatives from Luda‘s camp tell MTV a statement is forthcoming. Drama, who occasionally refers to himself as “Barack O’Drama,” weighed in on the issue with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“Well, this involves two people I highly respect,” says Drama. “And from a position of just believing in freedom of speech, I feel [Ludacris] expressed himself in a manner he felt necessary. I also know all eyes are on Barack Obama because of the position he’s in. So before someone like Fox News attaches him to it, [Obama] had to do what he had to. I understand. I think Luda would understand. And it doesn’t change my opinion on who I’m going to vote for.”
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Ludacris is expected to release his Theater of the Mind album in October. He is also slated to co-star in the action film Game with Gerard Butler, Kyra Sedgwick and John Leguizamo.
