Barack Obama's making history, guys! And in an idealistic fashion, Spike Lee is predicting that our history-making candidate will change African Americans' artistic output for the better… starting with music.
He says, "We gotta step it up… This is too important. We should use an event like Barack's presidency, which I feel is probably one of the most important moments in the history of this country, to galvanize us, to inspire us, and, yo, let's go!
"I believe artists have to lead the way. The same way as in the turbulent 60s… that music reflected both the difficult times we were going through and the enthusiasm and optimism we had, too. And I think Obama is going to have the same effect on African-American artists - and it's needed."
Spike could really be onto something here. Take the Jeezy song, "My President," for instance: "Mr. Black President/Yeah, Obama for real/They gotta put your face on the $5,000 bill…" Hmmm. On second thought, we're going to need to get some new artists into the spotlight to test this theory. [SP]
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LOL at the Jeezy reference. Lauren you are wrong, LOL!
"Black President" by Nas is a better example of influence.
And with the evils of science we will spill every last red, white and blue drop of american blood into the streets and gutters of americas homeland, and the destiny of america will become complete, and our Barack Obama will rise to fell and destroy america with one final blow and all of america shall be dead. AMERICA DIES IN 2008! THE RISE OF OBAMA BEGINS NOW!
OBAMA 08!
Spike has a new movie coming out this fall about black soldiers in WW2. It looks fantastic.
As I said almost two years ago, what Barack is doing for the collective Black imagination is incredible. He's already freed us to envision fuller participation in this society both as Americans and as human beings. He's an embodiment of the promise of Black rock. http://www.boldaslove.us/2007/.....ma_is.html
I think that Barack would be a great president, but 1. He hasn't been elected yet and contemplating what kind of president he will be takes away from the work that needs to be done to get him there and 2. I'm black and I want to see a black president, but I don't think that just because his skin tone is close to mine that I'm going to have a direct phone line to the Oval Office. I think thinking that he will affect all aspects of the entire diaspora for the better within 4 years is setting him (and us) for severe disappointment, disillusionment, and failure. And also, like I said again, there is still a chance he could lose.
@ Charles -brilliant comment.
If only it could change the weeded-out ramblings posing as "flow" from L'il Wayne. BTW, how old do you have to be to stop referring to yourself as "L'il" whatever?
It wont change a thing. Obama becoming president will not magically make these people smarter
People are building this man up for an incredible fall.
spike has seemingly lost his mind… in the 60's, musicians were inspired by political leaders like huey newton, malcolm x, elaine brown, etc, who were calling for an end to economic exploitation, racial injustice, and US imperialism. on the other hand, obama is loved by wall street and corporate america, is going to be the overseer in chief of the largest racist prison system on the planet, and supports increasing troops in afghanistan and possibly invading iran and pakistan to kill more brown people.
I'll have to wait and see. I don't wanna get my hopes too far up…