Barack Obama talks to Rolling Stone about his musical tastes

Honey · June 25th, 2008, 08:47 PM

When it comes to who's got Barack Obama's ear, the Democratic presidential candidate can turn to a troubadour, a classical cellist, a rocker and a rapper.

"I have pretty eclectic tastes," Obama, revealing the contents of his iPod, tells Rolling Stone for its issue due Friday.

As a Baby Boomer whose musical tastes were formed during the '70s, the 46-year-old – besides leaning toward Bob Dylan, Yo-Yo Ma, Sheryl Crow and Jay-Z – also favors the Rolling Stones, Elton John and Earth, Wind & Fire and Stevie Wonder, as well as jazz legends Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker, reports the Associated Press, which obtained a preview of the interview.

Several of those featured on the candidate's playlist also back his bid for the presidency, including Bruce Springsteen and Dylan, who on June 5 told the London Times, Obama is 'changin' America and "redefining the nature of politics from the ground up."

"I've got to say, having both Dylan and Bruce Springsteen say kind words about you is pretty remarkable. Those guys are icons," Obama tells Rolling Stone, which has a tradition of endorsing Democratic candidates going back to George McGovern's 1972 run against Richard Nixon. Obama received the magazine's nod in March.

Asked for his view of hip-hop, the Illinois senator said, "I am troubled sometimes by the misogyny and materialism of a lot of rap lyrics, but I think the genius of the art form has shifted the culture and helped to desegregate music."

Obama also praised Russell Simmons, Jay-Z and Ludacris as "great talents and great businessmen," but added, "It would be nice if I could have my daughters [Malia, 9, and Sasha, 7] listen to their music without me worrying that they were getting bad images of themselves."

Obama's iPod Reflects Diverse Musical Tastes - Music News, Barack Obama, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow : People.com

stylejunkiex · June 25th, 2008, 08:58 PM

Man, if he said Pink Floyd that would have gotten my vote right there.

msdebagain · June 25th, 2008, 09:01 PM

thats a terrible picture of him

suhani · June 25th, 2008, 09:27 PM

interesting, thanks for posting that

cmmdee · June 26th, 2008, 08:44 AM

He has the sexiest teeth ever.

Sweetie · June 26th, 2008, 08:45 AM

He creeps me out.

RevellingInSane · June 26th, 2008, 10:47 AM

If Barack creeps someone out then McCain must terrify that person. If not, I have to wonder why.

suhani · June 26th, 2008, 11:43 AM

i wonder what music other presidents listen to

nycgirly101 · June 26th, 2008, 01:10 PM

About the rap music- He admits the lyrics they write are misogynistic yet calls them great talents? That seems a little contradictory

I do think besides that he has great taste though

lurkur · June 26th, 2008, 01:40 PM

I wonder what McCain's favorite music is.

SSDiva · June 26th, 2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nycgirly101

About the rap music- He admits the lyrics they write are misogynistic yet calls them great talents? That seems a little contradictory

I do think besides that he has great taste though

I listen to rap music, in fact I listen to Jay-Z as well as a few others. Some of it is misogynistic, but then there some that isn't. Yes, great talents suits them..if you knew anything about rap, then you'd think so too. Let's take Jay-Z, when he goes in the studio his rhymes aren't written down..they come to him when he hears the beat..genius.. He isn't the only one, a test of a good rapper is his freestyle skills(to rap in a battle and come up with it on the spot!). I grew up listening to KRS-one, NWA, Ice Cube etc... I and so many others are proof that the words in Rap music doesn't turn you into a Ho, A Drug user, nor a criminal...rap music isn't the cause of the problems in the Black Community.

nycgirly101 · June 27th, 2008, 06:33 PM

^^ Sorry I don't think it takes much talent to say the N word, "bitches", and "hoes" repeatedly and pepper them in between other lyrics that you can't even understand. I also don't think someone with a great deal of talent or intelligence would glorify drug use or domestic violence. It sets a bad example for the kids (black and white) who listen to that shit. So yeah maybe if I knew more about the genre I'd think differently, but probably not.

And for the record I'm referring to white rappers like Eminem also. It's not an issue of color, it's an issue of common respect, and calling women "bitches" is not alright. If Obama freely admits he wouldn't want his daughters (rightfully) listening to this "music", he shouldn't praise it also. I'm also not implying that every young person who listens to this music is going to be negatively influenced by it, so try not to take it so personally.

Str8_uncut-jock · June 27th, 2008, 07:18 PM

I find this completely amusing...I love Barack and I will vote for him come fall (I didn't vote for him in the primary, but I will now). When he talks about his musical taste and includes an artist from almost every genre it really reduces the effectiveness of even sharing it. He is playing to the safest answer possible. He likes Dylan and Springstein...well, duh. No offending the white majority with that answer. Oh but wait, he doesn't want his minority supporters to think he's too "white" so he better also say he likes rap, but he has to temper it a little so he again doesn't alienate the whites too.

This is why people don't like politicians. They try to pander to everyone rather than just tell us who they are. If you asked me I would say that I listen to top 40, I like teeny pop. I do. It will turn some people off, but that's just who I am.

SSDiva · June 27th, 2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nycgirly101

^^ Sorry I don't think it takes much talent to say the N word, "bitches", and "hoes" repeatedly and pepper them in between other lyrics that you can't even understand. I also don't think someone with a great deal of talent or intelligence would glorify drug use or domestic violence. It sets a bad example for the kids (black and white) who listen to that shit. So yeah maybe if I knew more about the genre I'd think differently, but probably not.

And for the record I'm referring to white rappers like Eminem also. It's not an issue of color, it's an issue of common respect, and calling women "bitches" is not alright. If Obama freely admits he wouldn't want his daughters (rightfully) listening to this "music", he shouldn't praise it also. I'm also not implying that every young person who listens to this music is going to be negatively influenced by it, so try not to take it so personally.

Try listening to some rap music, because it all isn't like that. And if it is there is a rhyme to the reason of usage. Not condoning any of it, but it's not like they are just using it to just use it.

RevellingInSane · June 27th, 2008, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nycgirly101

^^ Sorry I don't think it takes much talent to say the N word, "bitches", and "hoes" repeatedly and pepper them in between other lyrics that you can't even understand. I also don't think someone with a great deal of talent or intelligence would glorify drug use or domestic violence. It sets a bad example for the kids (black and white) who listen to that shit. So yeah maybe if I knew more about the genre I'd think differently, but probably not.

And for the record I'm referring to white rappers like Eminem also. It's not an issue of color, it's an issue of common respect, and calling women "bitches" is not alright. If Obama freely admits he wouldn't want his daughters (rightfully) listening to this "music", he shouldn't praise it also. I'm also not implying that every young person who listens to this music is going to be negatively influenced by it, so try not to take it so personally.

You are lumping all rap into the gangsta rap genre.It really isn't all negative. I suggest going find some old school rap such as Public Enemy, KRS-1, pre Death Row Tupac, etc. That type of rap spoke of the societal issues in a manner in which young people could understand. To this day, I listen to Tupac's Keep Ya Head Up when I am having a bad day.

I don't listen to the crap that is being pushed into the market today, whether it be rap, pop, rock, or country. Music, all genres, have been tainted with trash and crap.

What I find amusing is rap is taking such a beating for the lyrics, whereas rock 40 years ago said the same thing, just in a different way. I can think of several songs blatantly about drug use, promiscuity, and hell, even devil worship. The only difference is the packaging.