Hip Hop Star Raps for Obama's Victory
Nas, rapping to the political tune of the moment. (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)
As if the celebrations weren't enough, Senator Barack Obama's political triumph this week has been punctuated by a two giants of hip-hop music. "Black President," a track that surfaced on Thursday [listen here], features Nas singing along with Tupac Shakur, whose rhymes were turned into a chorus:
And although it seems heaven sent
We ain't ready, to see a black President
Ten years after Mr. Shakur's line emerged in "Changes," a 1998 hit released after his death, Nas turns it into another reason to believe that there's a "new, improved J.F.K. on the way" in 2009. Although the overall thrust of the song doesn't mesh well with Mr. Obama's postracial campaign, Nas falls into line splendidly by the middle of the song:
On the positive side, I think Obama provides hope
And challenges minds of all races and colors to erase the hate
And try to love one another, so many political snakes
However, the ringing endorsement from Nas, who is often credited with creating the most celebrated album in hip-hop history, does come with a few doubts:
I'm thinking I can trust this brother
But will he keep it way real?
When he wins, will he care still?
And he has doubts about voters too. On that point, though, he would happily stand corrected. "America surprise us," he raps, "and let a
black man guide us."
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