Obama Is Like Diluted Hip Hop

"You're  like a hip hop song, you know?" Remember that famous line uttered by hip hop pioneers, A Tribe Called Quest, to describe the infamous Bonita Applebaum and how enamoring she was? They chose to compare her to hip hop because that was the best way they could describe her completeness; perfect in every way. Like a tight verse over a hot beat.

I would say Barack Obama is much like the diluted, hybrid version of hip hop today. But for those of us from the Northeast, myself included, who appreciate the real hip hop of old, we understand the importance of lyrical genius.  It wasn't just about the beat or the hook. It was about the lyrics, the substance of the song. 

Popular music of today is a hollow shell of what it once was when lyrical content actually meant something. Nowadays, all you need is thumping bass and a simple, oftentimes ridiculous, hook and you are guaranteed a platinum album.

Let's take that wildly popular, overplayed ad nauseum, crossover mega hit, by Soulja  Boy, "Crank Dat." We all know it. We've all seen the dance that goes with it. Black and white, young and old, in the club or at a sporting event, we've seen people singing along and doing the Superman dance. Now, has anyone really taken the time to actually listen to the words of the song? It was even nominated for a Grammy, the highest honor in music. I guess that is supposed to give this nonsense legitimacy.

Socially corrosive and ignorant songs like Soulja Boy's represent everything that's wrong with music today. But it spread like wildfire. Similar to how Obama's rhetoric represents everything that's wrong with liberalism and big government. But the masses love him, even though many of his supporters, and some surrogates, cannot name a substantive reason why. 

That is what we have in Barack Obama. Some would say he's all rhetoric. Eloquent speeches but no solutions. But just like that current favorite song you're blasting in your car, you know the beat and the hook, but have you really listened to the content? Do you know what you're singing along too? Or what you're allowing your children to sing along to?

Sen. Obama's real policy positions and plans for America are masqueraded by his hypnotic rhetoric. He has managed to serenade the electorate, and most of the mainstream media into a trance with his charismatic speeches and witty one-liners. Too often, voters' attention spans aren't long enough to get past the feel good hype to actually examine, or even care about, the details.  "Don't believe the hype!" Isn't that what Public Enemy cautioned us against?

Just like popular music today. If you were to remove the beats and just read the words of most songs, you would be horrified by what you've discovered.  And you begin to ask yourself, is this what I'm spending money to download? This is what I'm letting my children sing along to?

For some folks, this type of "ignorance is bliss" existence works for them. If it makes me feel good at the time, just do it, right? The "Obamamania," sweeping the country makes his supporters look like fanatical teenagers swooning over the latest hot new actor or musician. Fainting spells, high pitched screams, video groupies. You'd think you were at an N'Sync concert in the late 90's! But why?

Many aren't quite sure. Obama talks about change and a new direction for America, but how exactly? With $850 billion in proposed new spending resulting in an increase in your taxes to foot his "new direction" bill, some may want to listen to another station.

Last night's primary results exposed some kinks in the mighty Obama's armor. Hillary's decisive wins in Ohio and Texas put a halt, at least for now, on his momentum. Exit polling shows late deciders broke for Hillary primarily because she was able to get voters to take a second look at Obama.  Clinton finally figured out a way to snap the media out of its Obama trance to actually begin examining his record and ask some tough questions. Whether it was questioning how well-equipped he is to tackle a national security crisis, to his relationship with Chicago slumlord Tony Rezko -- currently on trial for corruption -- to his association with controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, Sen. Clinton benefited from a confluence of recent events which exposed some Obama weakness.

The honeymoon may be over for Mr. Obama. Up until now, he has skated through this primary season relative unscathed because of the love fest he's enjoyed from unabashedly biased networks like NBC News.  So much so, it has become a staple of Saturday Night Live skits. However, at a press conference on Monday, the usually calm and collected Obama, lost his cool somewhat with reporters after being bombarded with tough, legitimate questions surrounding his campaign. Now, now, Sen. Obama, never let them see you sweat.

It's no surprise that in today's instant gratification society, a feel good candidate like Obama can actually challenge a political juggernaut like the Clinton political machine. Now that Hillary seems to be the "Comeback Chick," (since "Comeback Kid is already taken in that household) the rest of the race should prove to be fascinating to watch.

But just like that one-hit wonder with the hot beat and catchy hook, does Obama have the sustainability factor to stay on the top of the charts? Will the fickle electorate still be singing his tune seven weeks from now? Stay tuned.