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'I'm fascinated by Hip-Hop," says Prez Candidate John Kerry
SoHH.com ^
| March 31, 2004
| Rich Rock
Posted on 03/31/2004 8:53:22 AM PST by O.C. - Old Cracker
'I'm fascinated by Rap and Hip-Hop' says Democratic presidential candidate, John Kerry during an MTV Choose or Loose forum. Offering up a heavy dose of street credibility, Kerry defended gangsta rap, freedom of speech and the realities of street life.
Kerry spoke with MTV's Gideon Yago and took questions from the audience last night in MTV's annual Choose or Loose forum. The youth voting movement this year endeavors to get 20 million new voters to the polls and impact what is projected to be a tight presidential race.
The Boston-born heir to the Heinz Ketchup fortune, offered his perspective on rap music as the voice of the streets.
"I'm fascinated by rap and by hip-hop. I think there's a lot of poetry in it. There's a lot of anger, a lot of social energy in it. And I think you'd better listen to it pretty carefully, 'cause it's important."
When questioned about offensive rap lyrics, Kerry said there is a line to be drawn, but defended freedom of speech.
"I think that there is a line you draw between government intervention and the right of speech and the right for people to express themselves, but do I think there are standards of decency in that? Yes, I do. Do I think that sometimes some lyrics in some songs have stepped over what I consider to be a reasonable line? Yeah, I do. I think when you start talking about killing cops or something like that, it bothers me."
Calling rap a "reflection of life", Kerry empathized with the struggles reflected in the music.
"I'm still listening because I know that it's a reflection of the street and it's a reflection of life, and I understand all that. I'm not for the government censoring or stepping in. But I don't think it's inappropriate occasionally to talk about what you think is a standard or what you think is a value that is worth trying to live up to."
TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2004; hiphop; kerry; mtv; rap
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Ya'll dat, Lil' John!
To: O.C. - Old Cracker
Snoop Frenchie French.
2
posted on
03/31/2004 8:53:54 AM PST
by
TheBigB
(Why yes, I AM the bomb-diggedy! Thanks for asking!)
To: O.C. - Old Cracker
I suspect Rush will be all over this in 10 minutes.
3
posted on
03/31/2004 8:54:11 AM PST
by
Mr. Mojo
To: O.C. - Old Cracker
What a total crock.
4
posted on
03/31/2004 8:54:55 AM PST
by
cajungirl
(<i>swing low, sweet limousine, comin' fer to Kerry me hoooommmee</i>)
To: O.C. - Old Cracker
I think when you start talking about killing cops or something like that, it bothers me." I'd love to hear the response from the Police Union bigwigs to this. It "bothers" him to talk about killing cops. Not ashamed or appalled, but "bothered."
5
posted on
03/31/2004 8:55:33 AM PST
by
TheBigB
(Why yes, I AM the bomb-diggedy! Thanks for asking!)
To: TheBigB
Bump for later posting!
6
posted on
03/31/2004 8:56:21 AM PST
by
ConservativeMan55
(There is no problem so great that it cannot be solved with high powered explosives.)
To: O.C. - Old Cracker
Oooh, that John Kerry is one "cool cat". A really hip guy.
7
posted on
03/31/2004 8:56:31 AM PST
by
ladtx
( "Remember your regiment and follow your officers." Captain Charles May, 2d Dragoons, 9 May 1846)
To: O.C. - Old Cracker
You are the company you keep.
8
posted on
03/31/2004 8:56:55 AM PST
by
chachacha
To: O.C. - Old Cracker
You are the company you keep.
9
posted on
03/31/2004 8:56:56 AM PST
by
chachacha
To: O.C. - Old Cracker
Yo, Notorious FnK! Bust us some mad flip-flop, bo-oyyyy!
10
posted on
03/31/2004 8:57:07 AM PST
by
anonymous_user
(Only fools trust the partisan media.)
To: O.C. - Old Cracker
And his Jewish ancestors were rap stars.
To: O.C. - Old Cracker
Dat boy is off da muscle!
What drivel. In the fine tradition of President Bubba.
Can November arrive quickly enough?
12
posted on
03/31/2004 8:58:41 AM PST
by
RexBeach
(Before God makes you greedy, he makes you stupid.)
To: ladtx
John Frikin' Kerry, "The Original Gangsta'"!!!!
13
posted on
03/31/2004 8:58:59 AM PST
by
sean327
(9-1-1: Government Sponsored Dial-A-Prayer.)
To: O.C. - Old Cracker
The author describes John Effin as being the heir to the Heinz ketchup fortune. That's pretty funny. When Theresa goes, John Effin's going to be living in a trailer in Paw Paw West Virginia.
14
posted on
03/31/2004 8:59:01 AM PST
by
KevinB
To: ladtx
I swooned over him on the ski slopes as he snowboarded, and was completely charmed as he played the guitar, but now that I also know he's HIP, it's a lock for me. What a chick magnet and one cool dude. BARF
To: O.C. - Old Cracker
He stoopid phat!
16
posted on
03/31/2004 8:59:37 AM PST
by
Maceman
To: TheBigB
"I was rapping pretty good until that son-of-a-b#tch Secret Service man got me off beat!"
To: O.C. - Old Cracker
He's not the heir to the Heiz fortune. He's a gigolo.
To: O.C. - Old Cracker
'I'm fascinated by Hip-Hop," says Prez Candidate John Kerry
Sounds like something a doofy white boy would say.
19
posted on
03/31/2004 9:01:19 AM PST
by
aruanan
To: O.C. - Old Cracker
And the left says Presidnet Bush is stupid? This guy is every bit as bad as Al Gore, worse in fact. O'Reilly, the populist, will be all over this. He has a crusade going against hard core rappers and though I am no O'Reilly fan, he will crucify Kerry on this.
I'll tell you, some days are just exceptionally good ones.
20
posted on
03/31/2004 9:02:20 AM PST
by
jwalsh07
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