In addition to the various op-eds John has written on Hip Hop, once again he’s on point in terms of how constructive the so-called conscious/uplifting Hip Hop is deemed to be. Some may label him cynical towards Hip Hop but his p.o.v. is valid and rooted in actual truth. I think some of us fans and “citizens” of the Hip Hop community often get confused between what music is deemed empowering for the disenfranchised versus what is emo-aesthetically (yeah I had to make that up) appealing to those of us with values and a real sense of direction.

I’m sorry, but if the average teenage thug needed a referral for what artists can help him change his life — (before I turn down the volume on the Nas, Hell Razah, or Common) I’d tell him I couldn’t help him.

I find this view a bit contradictory since both Obama and Rap rely on words than anything else. Perhaps Obama will eventually back his words with actions if he wins, but at the moment the only thing that he has sold himself on is not his experience, or lack of it, both on words, just like conscious Rap artistes. If Obama’s words can move people, why wont Conscious Rap music and the words move people?

His views on Clinton are also interesting, and coming from an Obama supporter that he is, quite honest and objective.

It’s worthy of note that Obama wants to be seen as a President who happens to be Black, rather than as a Black President, so it will be interesting to see how much of his agenda, were he to win the Presidency, will be specifically targeted at Blacks to empower and to up lift them as a people.