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| Rapper Jadakiss asks Bush "Why?" |
| 2004-07-13 |
| Another giant of the industry heard from. EFL. Musicians often voice political opinions in their songs, especially during an election year, but most hip-hop acts have remained quiet on the current political environment -- until now. Ruff Ryders/Interscope artist Jadakiss -- also a member of rap trio the Lox -- is receiving a lot of attention for his single "Why?" The song questions President Bush’s involvement in the events of September 11, 2001, with the lyric "Why did Bush knock down the Towers?" Must be French. Or a Democrat. Or bucking for State Poet of New Jersey.I hear that’s still open. For Jadakiss, the song is a way to reach people."I wanted to make a song that could appeal to a broader -- and not only the hood," he says. "I wanted to make something that would touch people at home in white America." Yeah. I want their money too. For more bling-bling. And rides. And ho’s and bitches. "I was thinking, ’What’s the one thing that everyone has in common? Questions.’ Everyone asks why, so I decided to write a song asking questions that everyone wants to," he adds. I got a question. How come rap sucks? Although it does "fascinate" John Kerry. As for the controversial line, the Yonkers, N.Y., rapper’s view is unwavering. Referring to the events of September 11, Jadakiss says: "That’s why I put it in there like that. A lot of my people felt that he had something to do with it." His people being his posse, or black folks in general? Some programmers say they received only the version that omitted the line -- in both the radio edit and the "clean" version."Actually, the uncensored version of that line is probably my favourite in the whole song," says one program director, who asked to remain anonymous."Since they can hear us in D.C., and I don’t want Secret Service knocking down my door in the middle of the night," the program director adds, "I’ll stick to the clean version." Yeah. That "supression of dissent" thing. Well, now that Bush isn’t going to cancel the election, the black helicopter guys will need something to do. The type of controversy that surrounds "Why" can end up helping an artist, and Jadakiss knows it. "They’re censoring me all over the place, and that’s good," he says. "That means it’s reaching out to everybody. When I made the song, I wrote it to be political, controversial, and to stir some things up.Somebody has to take the forefront and sacrifice," he adds. "That’s what I do -- I sacrifice myself." Yeah, I’m sure they be nailing you to a cross soon. With hundred dollar bills. |
| Posted by:tu3031 |
| #4 If you can't handle a rapper who wants to make a political statement in this country then maybe you don't understand that whole freedom of speech thing. You can find it in the first amendment in case you were wondering. Funny how people complain about rap being only about money, cash and hoes (thanks S. Carter) but then get pissed when hip hop turns political. Actions speak louder than words cause even a deaf man can hear everything that he observes. |
| Posted by: Anonymous5776 2004-07-17 10:51:41 AM |
| #3 *Reviewing syllabus for MA degree* Nope nothing under political philosophy for Jadakiss. |
| Posted by: Dragon Fly 2004-07-13 9:46:41 PM |
| #2 15 seconds of fame = buh-bye |
| Posted by: Frank G 2004-07-13 8:23:15 PM |
| #1 Tinfoil. Nothing but tinfoil. Put the cuckoo egg in a more gullible bird's nest, Jadakiss. |
| Posted by: Korora 2004-07-13 8:19:42 PM |