The presidential hopeful has distanced himself from the controversial rapper.
Ludacris's new song, "Politics as Usual," has cost him the support of Democratic presidential candidate, Barack Obama, the Associated Press reports.The rapper's new song discusses the problems that may be facing the nation's first African-American president, pointing out how he will want the support of the hip-hop community and all of the influence that they can provide, but how Obama will also want to avoid the controversy that commonly surrounds the genre.The new song did not strike a chord with Obama however, as his campaign spokesman, Bill Burton, said in an e-mail statement that Ludacris "should be ashamed of these lyrics," calling them "outrageously offensive."The song attacks all of the presidential hopeful's opponents, saying about Hillary Clinton, "That (expletive) is irrelevant," and saying that Republican nominee John McCain does not belong in "any chair unless he's paralyzed."So will Obama's condemnation of Ludacris distance any of his potential voters? Apparently not, according to Jeff Johnson, an activist and host of an upcoming news and public affairs show on Black Entertainment Television. "Hip-hoppers and black folks understand the game," he said. "They're thinking, 'An Obama who knows how to play the game is still better for me than a McCain.'"He adds that for political reasons, it is expected by some that Obama will "separate himself from anything controversially black."While Obama has embraced some of hip-hop's cultural influences, brushing his shoulder in one campaign appearance in an apparent nod to rapper Jay-Z, it seems that he believes this time Ludacris has gone too far.Calls to Ludacris's publicist and manager were not returned on Thursday.
