Hip-hop elite continue to Barack the vote

via XXL

"Diddy, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige and Warner Music executive Kevin Liles have written an open letter to the hip-hop community together urging people to register to vote by the national deadline this Monday, October 6.

“We are in a state of emergency,” the letter begins with an exclamation. “You must register to vote by Monday, October 6, 2008!” . . ."

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This investment by the hip-hop community in Obama has definitely transcended the fad faze. In the beginning there was no doubt that he was the darling of the moment and name dropping him was the thing to do. DJ Drama started using the moniker Barack O'Drama, Diddy went with Ciroc Obama after his vodka label and LA rapper Crooked-I released the Block Obama mixtape among many other examples.

Now however, with artists heading up voter registration drives, releasing public service announcements and donating money there is a new energy. It may still be "cool" to be associated with Obama, but many have graduated to actual action. Hip-hop has for too long been viewed as something antithetical to progress by many in the mainstream, so its great to have it being used for a recognized undeniably positive purpose.