|
Rapper Jadakiss asks Bush "Why?"
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 Bushâs 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 thatâs 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 hoâs and bitches. "I was thinking, âWhatâs the one thing that everyone has in common? Questions.â 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., rapperâs view is unwavering. Referring to the events of September 11, Jadakiss says: "Thatâs 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 donât want Secret Service knocking down my door in the middle of the night," the program director adds, "Iâll stick to the clean version." Yeah. That "supression of dissent" thing. Well, now that Bush isnât 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. "Theyâre censoring me all over the place, and thatâs good," he says. "That means itâs 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. "Thatâs what I do -- I sacrifice myself." Yeah, Iâm sure they be nailing you to a cross soon. With hundred dollar bills. Posted by: tu3031 2004-07-13 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=37962 |