TWO WAYS TO RAP POLITICALLY
Big Boi and Ludacris are both out with new politically charged singles -- and while one aims to educate, the other seeks to provoke.
Big Boi's forthcoming solo LP Sir Luscious Leftfoot...Son of Chico Dusty features lead-off single "Sumthin's Gotta Give." This duet with Mary J. Blige deals with everything from rising gas prices to the war in Iraq, and while the message is a downer, it's also a vote catalyst in Big Boi's mind. The artist said recently that while he is an entertainer, he also feels a responsibility to "lecture about life."
Ludacris meanwhile is stoking all kinds of controversy (including from Barack Obama's campaign) for his pro-Obama anthem "Politics as Usual" which takes harsh and profane swipes at former Obama rival Hillary Clinton, and makes fun of John McCain's age with caustic language. Obama's camp called the song "offensive," and you can bet they wish Ludacris had shelved it.
Big Boi's message seems more in line with the likes of Public Enemy, Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, or even Gil Scott-Heron (see below). More of that, please. The rest is ludicrous.
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