Kerry: 'I'm Fascinated by Rap and Hip-Hop'

NewsMax.com ^ | March 30, 2004 | Carl Limbacher

[Carl/NewsMax]

Likely Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry claimed Tuesday night that he's a big fan of rap and hip-hop music.

The straight-laced Beacon Hill blue-blood who married into the $700 million Heinz ketchup fortune told MTV, "I'm fascinated by rap and by hip-hop. I think that there's a lot of poetry in it. There's a lot of anger - a lot of social energy in it."

Kerry said America's leaders disregard rap music at their peril, telling MTV, "I think you better listen to it pretty carefully because it's important."

Asked about some of the more outrageous lyrics in today's rap songs, Kerry replied, "Do I think some lyrics in some songs have stepped over what I consider to be a reasonable line? Yeah, I do."

He then explained, "I think when you start, you know, talking about killing cops or something like that, it bothers me."

Still, Kerry defended the gangsta rap genre, telling MTV, "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."

[Light Speed]

[Pukin Dog]

I just posted "The John Kerry Rap"

[Finalapproach29er]

He should be in a Grey Poupon mustard commercial.

[js1138]

Here's a link to the kind of "Rap" that prep school kids of Kerry's age were exposed to. I know, because I'm Kerry's age, approximately.

http://www.gutenberg.net/etext97/cngop10.txt

You have to scroll down a bunch to get to the text of "The Congo". A snipet of this poem was featured in the movie, "Dead Poet's Society". I nearly fell out of my seat hearing it.

I don't dare post the text on FR. I'd be banned.

[Howlin]

What an absolute girly man!

[Howlin]

Holy crap!

[js1138]

Check out The Dead Poet's Society, and listen for super hollywood libs chanting this masterpiece. It's occurs during a scene when the kids are having a secret meeting. I only saw the movie once, when it first came out, but I was amazed that Jessie Jackson didn't throw a fit.

[Torie]

Ah, that brings back memories. I recited The Congo from memory in a speech class in the 9th grade, pounding the table when appropriate, and got an A + for the effort. I had the class spell bound. The teacher did observe that at points, I seemed to let an odd English accent creep in. LOL. I have a right by that I guess to call myself "Torie," even though I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, the home of "Valley Speak."

[js1138]

If a kid tried that these days he'd never make it home alive.

[Torie]

Odd, it never occurred to me the poem was meant as a put down of blacks, much less American blacks, or of anything but a poetic vision of The Congo back when, in the grip of a horrible white Belgium tyrant. It still doesn't, but then my mental facilities are slowly declining.

[TheSpottedOwl]

Egads! That Offspring song, "Pretty Fly For a White Guy" should start getting maximum rotation ;-) (He's getting ink done...he asked for a 13 and they drew a 31.)

Lololol, this has got to be Kerry's Dukakis moment!

[armymarinemom]

He should go to Afghanistan; my youngest son can't stand to listen to rap after being there for several months.

[HarryCaul]

Someone should ask him if he prefers Breakin' 2 Electric Boogaloo to Krush Grove or Rappin'.

These are important issues!

[TheSpottedOwl]

Make him name his favorite 2 Short ditty....

[js1138]

Of course it wasn't "meant" to be a put down. Intentions and $3.50 will get you a plain coffee. It did, however, attract the attention of W.E.B. Debois, who gave it a "C".

I had to do a rather extensive search to find the text on the internet, even though it's Lindsey's most famous poem.

[js1138]

Lololol, this has got to be Kerry's Dukakis moment!

Kerry has had so many Dukakis moments, it would be impossible to list them on one page.

He willhave dificulty getting past "I voted for the bill before I voted against it."

[Choose Ye This Day]

Snoop Taxxy Taxx?

Straight Outta the Hamptons.

[KC_Conspirator]

Jean F. Cheri is such a phony through and through. I wonder if anyone from the MTV crowd thinks this guy is a poser.

At least Eminem has a song attacking Lynn Cheney by name.

[dfwgator]

"I'm fascinated by rap and by hip-hop. I think that there's a lot of poetry in it. There's a lot of anger - a lot of social energy in it."

This reminds to of an incident last election when Algore went up to Courtney Love and said that he was a big fan of her music. To which, Courtney asked "OK, so what songs do you like?" And of course, Algore couldn't name any. I suspect Kerry hasn't heard a single rap song in his life.