KanYe, You's a Nigga...and I don't mean that in no Nice Way!

I was undecided on writing this post for the LONGEST time. These are two of my most favorite people...and I was positive about not adding unnecessary "fuel to this fire" by feeding into a tangential debate between The President of the United States and KanYe West. But, after reading, listening, and seeing so much commentary....I figured it was time to present an argument from a ghettoGEEK perspective.

Tough as it was to write on it, this piece is situated similar to conversation I had with HomeBoi that went a lil' sumpin' like this.....

I think it's just as important to remember that Kanye may have a bit more LIBERTY than the President (as oxymoronic as that may sound). Obama still has to play to a more powerful players than Kanye West. I like Obama because he plays it just well enough for you to forget that he is at the nexus of a BUNCH of POWER and MONEY. I don't the President's position at all, in fact, the graceful way he handles power is one of the reasons I like the Brotha...

Now, I'll say this first: In my opinion, KanYe West made a mistake when he interuppted Taylor Swift's VMA Award Acceptance Speech.

Judging from KanYe's actions AFTER the fact (namely his apology on Jay Leno), I believe that KanYe, himself, believes his actions were inappropriate, rude, and unthoughtful. Regardless of how you feel about his apology, he DID give one...and as a fairly decent scrutinezer of men, it was a SINCERE one.

FAST FORWARD

President Barack Obama calls KanYe West "a jackass" off-the-record.

First and foremost, it is of extreme significance to note the SETTING of this interview. It was "off-the-record." That has A LOT to do with how Obama's comments should be interpreted. (In academia, we call this the "rhetorical situation.")

Now, the "off-the-record" nature of the President's comments can mean a couple of things: 1.) Obama did not intend for this comment to reach the masses; 2.) these were his true feelings regarding KanYe West; and/or 3.) he was appeasing the small audience with whom he was immediately engaged. Whichever reason, or combination of reasons, everyone who is interested should remember ONE thing: members of the Hip-Hop culture/constituency were major proponents (voting bloc) of President Barack Obama.

Understanding that Hip-Hop culture (African-American youth) were and remain passionate/engaged supporters of President Barack Obama should not be lost in this current debate. There is POWER in Politics...and as Tupac Shakur reminded us, "It's all Political."

No, KanYe West, by himself, is not Hip-Hop--and his actions at the VMAs were NOT some of his best...but, that does not discount the fact the KanYe is a HUGE asset to Hip-Hop based on his contributions thus far.

...and no, being an awesome rapper-producer, does not require the same skill set as being President of The United States....especially the 1st African-American President. I do not envy Barack Obama at all. He sits at the "nexus of BIG money and power"....and that HAS to be stressful as Hell. But, if I do not argue that President Barack Obama should consider the interests of African-American youth as much as he does the interests of "power and money," then my most dedicated readers should actually start questioning my value system.

Hip-Hop culture, is the product of broken Black children who didn't lose ALL hope. This culture was born in the Belly of Beast, and has given America and the world some of the most inspirational rhetorical donations human beings have witnessed. And though A LOT of it has been mangagled due to they way it has recently been PROSTITUTED, some artists like KanYe West, have been able to still produce QUALITY music that is constitutionally consistent with the original purpose of the artform.

Education and Enlightenment are two things that his music still represents; which is why he is still true to Hip-Hop...and also why ghettoGEEKS will continue to support him.

Note: This is Ye's 2nd Presidential Beef...if he's doing nothing else, he's making sure the "Powers-that-Be" don't forget about us...



WeBeGeekin'
www.ghettogeekin.blogspot.com