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Presidential Rap Race: MCs to the White House?

by MINA JASAREVIC

FRIDAY MARCH 7, 2008

The American (as well as Canadian) media is diligently making certain not to miss a second of the recent surge of presidential candidates battling it amongst one another with the most predictable tools used in every political race to the White House, including stale jargon, a sale of hope and optimism, and most recently, the annoying hoax up republican sleeves: the so-called concern and dedication to the “fight against terror”. We here at Defsounds have been following the locomotion of a charismatic black senator, the woman who uses tears (a female power-tool) oh so eloquently to gain sympathy votes, and the old man who can barely stand on his two feet yet being a war vet that he is apparently overshadows his ignorant and foolish statements like the one where he promises to provide universal health care while lowering taxes – both economically and logically not practical, but hey, how many republican supporters actually caught on to such nonsense?

As we juggle the latest news reports on elections with the most recent album reviews and monitoring of the up-and-coming artists, we thought to ourselves, what would happen if a rapper was elected to the White House? According to RIAA’s Consumer Profile of 2006 hip-hop is the second most popular genre galloping in after rock. Are we then, crazy to even entertain an idea that would place hip-hop’s rock stars in the forefront of the world’s largest popularity contest, the presidential race?

Let’s set aside the pre-requisite for political experience because truthfully, rappers do not have any. But please, let that not be the end-all of our inquisition. For George W. Bush, with all his political “experience”, served the U.S. as a president for not only one – but two terms in office, not due to political experience soaked in ethics and leadership, but mainly due to the fact that he a) made the rich even richer and b) sold the entire war to his own citizens that’s based on fabricated ‘evidence’ and fear. So, political practice is of course preferred in a candidate but we here at Defsounds find that the right intentions mixed with colossal popularity can sure go a long way (think Angelina Jolie and her endless lobbying for UNHCR).

For the logistics of running a country advisors are available. On topics ranging from health care to the economy, from social welfare to national security, there are people who devote their entire adulthood researching and defending various theories so that they may have the privilege of advising the president and his (perhaps now her) office. Therefore, one need not be an expert in such matters as the expertise for conducting a humanitarian intervention for example, can be easily left to the professionals. So far, our idea is still plausible.

The rapper who continues to overshadow his counterparts in album sales is the late Tupac Shakur, his lyrics pushing somewhere around 36 million units in total. No matter how popular though, Pac cannot run for presidency. So, the second in command would probably be Jigga man himself, who is not only the most popular rapper, but also arguably, the best one at that (sorry Wayne, time to get serious). Remaining open-minded to our idea, one is bound to notice why Jay-Z can make a suitable candidate for the popularity contest (aside from the 25 million records sold). First, he was not raised among the American elites who in turn make up a very small percentage of the population. Shawn Carter came from the economic and social struggle that unfortunately encompasses a large number of American citizens; in itself that would allow him to relate to the people he is leading, much more than perhaps, any previous nominee could. Social services such as welfare and health care, as well as public services such as education, are more likely be in the forefront of Jay-Z’s policy rather than let’s say, an invasion. For what person who has grown up around death and violence would eagerly lead a country into more death and suffering? Vibing off of that, how much torment and loss has Bush experienced in his own life when he decided to invade Iraq (not to mention Afghanistan), causing a humanitarian crisis that has resulted in close to a million dead bodies so far? Probably not much.

Another potential candidate, at least according to popularity, is Eminem. His Marshall Mathers LP sold over 10 million copies, earning Slim RIAA’s Diamond Certification, an honorary not often seen in the hip-hop genre. Granted, most purchasers of Eminem’s music are likely under the legal voting age, but so what? Kids can influence parents, and I’m willing to bet that a Hillary/Eminem debate would sway many people away from the teary-eyed creature who attempts to use bigotry and racism in order to swing voters away from any candidate who isn’t Christian and white. An advocate of free speech and never the one to hold back his tongue, Em just may be the dude to endure a debate without holding punches all the while pulling the presidential platform away from jargon and rhetoric, and closer to honesty and reality.

And what about Nas? The man who brought us Illmatic prior to inciting much debate with both his last album, Hip Hop is Dead, and his equally controversial succession, N*****. The amount of controversy Nas brings to the game may be just enough to elect him for president, and if he gains sufficient votes for a nomination, why not consider Mr. Jones a serious candidate? Just as Jigga has his beautiful B, Nas has Kelis, which allows him to openly parade his appeared values for marriage and family as his wife attempts to draw in the female voters (granted, the naked pictures of Kelis would not go over too well with Evangelical, Baptist or Catholic Christians, a population that makes up 70 % of America’s faith). But irrespective of Kelis’s eccentric behavior, Nas can make it up with his critical, and many times disapproving, outlook on society.

As the 2008 elections trot closer toward the finish line, we here at Defsounds would like to ask you to entertain the idea of a presidential rap race. Like all levels of politics, a popularity contest in hip-hop is not much different then a popularity contest in a presidential campaign (maybe minus the tattoos and chains). The level of success depends on management, PR staff and the support of the media itself as much as the passion, dedication and actual understanding of one’s craft. For MC’ing and political rhetoric are skills in their own merit, ones we can dissect and analyze, criticize and scrutinize, all the while secretly championing for our own leaders and saviors to win the election or the Grammy because when they do so, somehow in the most irrational yet emotional manner, we feel that we’ve won too.

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COMMENTS

AudioCrack

[comment trashed — show comment] 0 Props
AudioCrack
Preview
— 2 months ago

Feeling dat we won to would never happen, because unless u forgot they always put us last.I think they want to ban hip-hop.1

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unowho

[comment trashed — show comment] -6 Props
unowho
Preview
— 2 months ago

i didnt even read that...look how long it is..whos got the time to read it? explain it breifly

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eddie2110

[comment trashed — show comment] -1 Props
eddie2110
Preview
— 2 months ago

sad how some of you cant take out like 5-10 mins of your boring ass life to read a few paragraphs...? SMH....

I like it i would personally vote of common....!

1) jay would have trouble with the whole drug dealer thing!
2) Em, haha.Em would just go wild! shit would be mad funny!
3) Nas? hah....kelis would def fuck it up for him!

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chimere

[comment trashed — show comment] -3 Props
chimere
Preview
— 2 months ago

this shit is too long...im fuckin high guy lol

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second son

[comment trashed — show comment] +6 Props
second son
Preview
— about 1 month ago

get off the net and pick up a damn book. reading is fundamental.

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BK_London

[comment trashed — show comment] +2 Props
BK_London
Preview
— 2 months ago

That was eloquently put but far-fetched, we can only dream of such of a world, look how long it took someone like Barrack to get just his foot in the door. However, I've got to say even though I prefer Nas I think Jay would make a better president, he's more level headed.

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Lucrative

[comment trashed — show comment] +2 Props
Lucrative
Preview
— 2 months ago

I dont know what to say...i mean jays the best choice probably ....but i just dont see how it would work

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Detroit_313

[comment trashed — show comment] +3 Props
Detroit_313
Preview
— 2 months ago

shit...what up with Common, Diddy,KRS1,kanye they all got a better chance of being prez

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EAzyy

[comment trashed — show comment] +1 Props
EAzyy
Preview
— 2 months ago

jigga man has got my vote...if he ever in a couple of years down the line decide to run 4 president....not just cuz he is the greatest rapper ever, but 4 the fact that he helps people alot (i mean the nigga went to africa and gave back to the motherland) also b'cuz he is focused

just imagine a rapper in the white house???? shit would be so crazy, they would be shooting videos, hoes will be all over the place, parties nd shit like that lool

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mr. turkleson

[comment trashed — show comment] +1 Props
mr. turkleson
Preview
— 2 months ago

Be easy Marshall will rip any rapper alive ill put my life on that brah

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Get Em Genius

[comment trashed — show comment] +1 Props
Get Em Genius
Preview
— 20 days ago

RAKIM FOR PRESIDENT!
KRS VICE, AND GET PREMO AS SENATOR!!

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Get Em Genius

[comment trashed — show comment] +1 Props
Get Em Genius
Preview
— 20 days ago

but then again, im canadian..why should i care?

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thegreenmonster

[comment trashed — show comment] -3 Props
thegreenmonster
Preview
— 2 months ago

damn sum it down 2 bout a paragraph n maybe i'll read it.sounds like sum bs 2 me judgin by what people sayin

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Goldenboy101

[comment trashed — show comment] +2 Props
Goldenboy101
Preview
— 2 months ago

Jay Would Make The Best President Hes Got the best Business mind, maybe even 50 or Diddy Could Work. Dont Suppose It Matters The Idea Of A Rapper President Is About As Crazy and Far Fetched As Having A Retard In Office

Actually Hold On

We Do!

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zikki

[comment trashed — show comment] +2 Props
zikki
Preview
— 2 months ago

The reason he aint mention KRS, common and diddy is because even though they are good leaders, they aint however top contestants in raps popularity contest. And KANYE? im just gonna assume that was some kind of joke. lol. I think jiggas a beast, he has major influence over a lot of artists, and also helped to mold the rap game into what it is today, Even though its someone else turn to take over and mold the rap game to a brand new chapter, Jay should still be the over see'r due to well over a decade of work that he put into this. Keep it thorough day piffers.

-Zikki

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Ajgriggs

[comment trashed — show comment] +3 Props
Ajgriggs
Preview
— 2 months ago

Quite frankly, I'd rather leave the running of the nation to the politicans....jigga 4 president? nooooo lol ( no diss to jay)

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Drywall

[comment trashed — show comment] +4 Props
Drywall
Preview
— 2 months ago

A hustler would never let the economy get in recession?

Is may point valid!!!

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mr. turkleson

[comment trashed — show comment] +2 Props
mr. turkleson
Preview
— 2 months ago

the president doesnt control the economy.....that would be communism

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its_ya_boy

[comment trashed — show comment] +2 Props
its_ya_boy
Preview
— 2 months ago

if were considering how the article just broke down the president's job descriptions Jay would make an appropriate candidate.

he doens't have the best leadership qualities for say but he has the relatability to the voting public and let's be real...

Jay's always been able to construct a heavy team around him that helps enable the power moves he makes

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YounG TimothY

[comment trashed — show comment] +4 Props
YounG TimothY
Preview
— 2 months ago

Jay has always said that "he makes everyone around him rich" thats good nuf for me.

Nas would be a good one too, but America aint ready for Real Talk yet. Dude tooooo intelligent and deep for most Americans to understand. Most voters like to be brainwashed by the canidadtes themselves you see.

Em is just too out there....HE IS TOP 5 Mc, but hed be better suited for like Dept of Defence.

But really, Common would be the illest President.

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Jokesta

[comment trashed — show comment] +6 Props
Jokesta
Preview
— 2 months ago

"Em is just too out there....HE IS TOP 5 Mc, but hed be better suited for like Dept of Defence."

lol, we'd bomb everything.

prop trash
Bloodcuzinz

[comment trashed — show comment] +1 Props
Bloodcuzinz
Preview
— 2 months ago

My votes on Jay... His grind is sick..
www.bloodcuzinz.com

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Fo-T Kalibur

[comment trashed — show comment] -2 Props
Fo-T Kalibur
Preview
— 2 months ago

Jay or Nas possibly Em... but imagine Dr.Dre or Snoop, weed in one hand ho's for bodyguards! Damn America be straight pimpin! Dre n Snoop get the police to confiscate weed bring it straight to the Black house then pop a po po and smoke that stick sh*t

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michaelreasner

[comment trashed — show comment] +2 Props
michaelreasner
Preview
— about 1 month ago

hell ya!!

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Fo-T Kalibur

[comment trashed — show comment] +1 Props
Fo-T Kalibur
Preview
— 2 months ago

sticky**

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skillz

[comment trashed — show comment] +1 Props
skillz
Preview
— 2 months ago

Jigga for President, lol, he's my favorite but like, America would fail as a country cuzz everyone would be getting handouts, thered be no more STRUGGGLE, though it is a good thing, fck it!....Intresting read.

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GetYaSwagUp

[comment trashed — show comment] -3 Props
GetYaSwagUp
Preview
— 2 months ago

haha dis da funniest shit I ever read.....hahahaha

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EAzyy

[comment trashed — show comment] +5 Props
EAzyy
Preview
— 2 months ago

how the fuck was this article funny.....there was nothing funny about it, so i kno 4 a fact you did not read the article or maybe you read somthin totally different to what i saw

am guessing your among a couple of the dumb niggaz on defsounds who could not take out just a couple of minutes of their time 2 read it...and you just came on here to leave a comment just for the sake of it

get a life nigga....PS, you can start by getting that dumb picture of the nigga out of your avatar

prop trash
skillz

[comment trashed — show comment] +3 Props
skillz
Preview
— 2 months ago

^^ lmao he went sick.

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DaGod

[comment trashed — show comment] +3 Props
DaGod
Preview
— 2 months ago

Nas: He's my favorite rapper but homie is too damn radical to be the president. LOL. Nas would fuck around and put who ever that made more that $80,000 annually in jail. Then he would give their money to the less fortunate. I'm not mad at that at all but the people who actually make that much that work their ass off for that, deserve it (doctors, lawyers, etc...)

Eminem: Let's be serious, Eminem would fuck around and cause World War III. LOL.

Jay-Z: Jay-Z is the best choice for Pres out of the three. That's not really saying much though. But I don't know how Jay would make this country better. He's too focused on himself getting richer...that he might forget about the people.

Like you brought up earlier I think Pac would of made one hell of a president. He was smart, politically inclined, he knew the struggle, but like Nas he would of went crazy and deported or jailed the rich. LOL

So in the end rappers wouldn't really make good presidents. They should stick to rapping and leave politics to politicians. With that said VOTE BARRACK!!!!!!!!

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100grams

[comment trashed — show comment] +3 Props
100grams
Preview
— 2 months ago

I would say NAS, Jay-Z cant even handle being the president of def jam errybody complainin about him I cant imagine him being the president of the U.S

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driverboy

[comment trashed — show comment] +2 Props
driverboy
Preview
— 2 months ago

i think it is really somthin that we have 2 seriouly consider. these politians have to cater to the hip hop generation 2 some degree. but if i have 2 pick a canidate, i would have 2 pick jigga, only because he seems 2 be able 2 mingle wit corporate america and the hip hop america.

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second son

[comment trashed — show comment] +2 Props
second son
Preview
— about 1 month ago

my pick would be krs cause he smart as a motherfucka.

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Jarrard.

[comment trashed — show comment] +2 Props
Jarrard.
Preview
— 2 months ago

Wow who drew that NaS picture? Dude got mad skills ae.

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The_Wraith

[comment trashed — show comment] +4 Props
The_Wraith
Preview
— 2 months ago

man yall nuts...no 1 mention will smith??? i kno he aint exactly the greatest of all time, but he is a rapper...and the man would make the best prez....family man...america seen him grow into a star...charismatic....n plus there are two song every1 in america know....happy birthday and the fresh prince theme

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Criporro

[comment trashed — show comment] +2 Props
Criporro
Preview
— 2 months ago

No way...

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Fo-T Kalibur

[comment trashed — show comment] +1 Props
Fo-T Kalibur
Preview
— 2 months ago

WORD.. its gotta be WILL SMITH!!!

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brnigga225

[comment trashed — show comment] +1 Props
brnigga225
Preview
— 2 months ago

No down south reps... Def Sounds dont know shit.... Up North biased.......

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YounG TimothY

[comment trashed — show comment] +1 Props
YounG TimothY
Preview
— 2 months ago

Namne one Mc from down south thatd be a good president....I got time.....C'mon now, think yall.....No not HIM....Not him either.....Scarface could do it. but he wont.....Not GAYNE!!!....Maybe Luda or Andre 3 stacks....Well thats about it...and no DS aint North biased...DS just knows that down south rappers aint fit to be president.

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YounG TimothY

[comment trashed — show comment] -1 Props
YounG TimothY
Preview
— 2 months ago

We know Birdman steals(cough cough), so Dept of Treasury is a no go for him. Oh how could i forget about Gucci Man?? Easy...who's Gucci Manne again?? I already forgot him. Like i stated... COMMON for President!!! Him and Will Smith would actually get me to vote.

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Sarge

[comment trashed — show comment] +3 Props
Sarge
Preview
— 2 months ago

Hypothetically, I would vote for Luke as President. He would probably enlist the assistance of Too Short as his VP. KRS could be the head of Education. Hmm, Attorney General would be Chuck D. Em would be press secretary.

reply prop trash
second son

[comment trashed — show comment] +4 Props
second son
Preview
— about 1 month ago

t.i. for secretary of defense. he already got access to all the weaponry.

prop trash
Sarge

[comment trashed — show comment] +3 Props
Sarge
Preview
— about 1 month ago

Yeh, we could pass him off as a Napolean impersonator

prop trash
pacdiddy1986

[comment trashed — show comment] +3 Props
pacdiddy1986
Preview
— about 1 month ago

personally i would think CHAMILLIONAIRE would be a great candidate. he is always on top of his political game, doesn't curse in his rhymes, and avoids the negativity in the world that most rappers fall into

reply prop trash
second son

[comment trashed — show comment] +5 Props
second son
Preview
— about 1 month ago

what about david banner, he said fuck al sharpton, that alone would get him the white vote.

prop trash
757representa

[comment trashed — show comment] +3 Props
757representa
Preview
— about 1 month ago

Nice article! Of course, I don't take the notion seriously, but it was an interesting read. Obama's success has everyone saying, "What if...," and "It could...," instead of," It'll never happen. Good for American culture and society in general.

reply prop trash
second son

[comment trashed — show comment] +4 Props
second son
Preview
— about 1 month ago

yeah, i think its more resonable to believe that someone influenced by the hip hop culture will be president rather than an actual rapper.

prop trash
Juliyssa

[comment trashed — show comment] +3 Props
Juliyssa
Preview
— about 1 month ago

Very interesting! I would give it up to Nas. I think that J will have a power trip, although he can relate & has immaculate album sales, at the end of the day it will on be business & not about our society in whole.

reply prop trash
SADAM IDDIN

[comment trashed — show comment] +1 Props
SADAM IDDIN
Preview
— 22 days ago

CO-SIGN. BUT THE COUNTRY IS HIGH AS SHIT IF THAT HAPPENS WITH ANY RAPPER. OH YEAH MOMMY YOU BAD AS SHIT LET A NIGGA IN YOU OVAL OFFICE!! SPEAK SOME MORE.

prop trash
HempsteadNY

[comment trashed — show comment] +2 Props
HempsteadNY
Preview
— about 1 month ago

3 of the best rappers ever you cant go wrong with none of these dudes,besides 2pac these are the only other 3mc's that can hold the #1 spot.

reply prop trash
michaelreasner

[comment trashed — show comment] +1 Props
michaelreasner
Preview
— about 1 month ago

my vote is master p for prez and eminem for secretary of defence smoke some bud and blow some niggas up iz all good

reply prop trash
youngbalance

[comment trashed — show comment] +1 Props
youngbalance
Preview
— 11 days ago

my vote would be dr. dre for pres...hes a perfectionist and wouldnt act without thinkin rationallly...

reply prop trash
DetroitsProdigy

[comment trashed — show comment] +1 Props
DetroitsProdigy
Preview
— 1 day ago

Fuck Jay, Fuck Nas, Fuck Em. (No disrespect to their amazing music) Politically? Jay wouldn't have a clue, Hes a business man.. Not a politican. Nas? Maybe, But I think his outlook would be bias to the Black Community. Eminem? lmfao hell no.. He'd probably kill off all women, WE CANT HAVE THAT! My opinion, Would be someone not on this list.. Immortal Technique.

reply prop trash
DetroitsProdigy

[comment trashed — show comment] +1 Props
DetroitsProdigy
Preview
— 1 day ago

Fuck Jay, Fuck Nas, Fuck Em. (No disrespect to their amazing music) Politically? Jay wouldn't have a clue, Hes a business man.. Not a politican. Nas? Maybe, But I think his outlook would be bias to the Black Community. Eminem? lmfao hell no.. He'd probably kill off all women, WE CANT HAVE THAT! My opinion, Would be someone not on this list.. Immortal Technique.

reply prop trash

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