Barack Obama’s campaign sharply condemned rapper Ludacris Wednesday over his new song celebrating the Illinois senator’s presidential bid while referring to Hillary Clinton by an offensive remark.
The song, called “Politics: Obama Is Here,” was released earlier in the day and refers to the New York senator as an “irrelevant b***h.” Ludacris, whose real name is Chris Bridges, also takes aim at John McCain in the song, saying the Arizona senator “don’t belong in ANY chair unless he’s paralyzed.”
The song, which largely celebrates the rise of Obama on the national political scene, also criticizes the Rev. Jesse Jackson and President Bush.
Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said Ludacris should be “ashamed of these lyrics.”
“As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he doesn’t want his daughters or any children exposed to,” Burton said. “This song is not only outrageously offensive to Senator Clinton, Reverend Jackson, Senator McCain, and President Bush, it is offensive to all of us who are trying to raise our children with the values we hold dear. While Ludacris is a talented individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics.”
Obama has praised Ludacris in the past and the two men sat down privately in 2006 together to discuss ways to empower youth.
Lyrics:
I’m back on it like I just signed my record deal
Yeah the best is here, the Bentley Coup paint is dripping wet, it got sex appeal
Never should have hated
You never should’ve doubted him
With a slot in the president’s iPod Obama shattered ‘em
Said I handled his biz and I’m one of his favorite rappers
Well give Luda a special pardon if I’m ever in the slammer
Better yet put him in office, make me your vice president
Hillary hated on you, so that bitch is irrelevant
Jesse talking slick and apologizing for what?
If you said it then you meant it how you want it have a gut!
And all you other politicians trying to hate on my man,
watch us win a majority vote in every state on my man
You can’t stop what’s bout to happen, we bout to make history
The first black president is destined and it’s meant to be
The threats ain’t fazing us, the nooses or the jokes
So get off your ass, black people, it’s time to get out and vote!
Paint the White House black and I’m sure that’s got ‘em terrified
McCain don’t belong in any chair unless he’s paralyzed
Yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped
Ball up all of his speeches and I throw ‘em like candy wrap
’cause what you talking I hear nothing even relevant
and you the worst of all 43 presidents
Get out and vote or the end will be near
The world is ready for change because Obama is here!
’cause Obama is here
The world is ready for change because Obama is here!
