politics

21 Aug 2024

Barack & Michelle Obama’s DNC Speeches Draw Comparisons to Kendrick Lamar’s Drake Disses: ‘Meet the Trumps’

Barack Obama and Michelle Obama rallied the United Center crowd at the 2024 Democratic National Convention with a pair of fiery speeches on Tuesday night (Aug. 20), and drawing comparisons to Kendrick Lamar‘s Drake disses in the process.

The former president and first lady electrified democrats on night two of the DNC while attacking Republican nominee Donald Trump and encouraging citizens to get out and vote to make sure they’re heard on Nov. 5, which is 76 days away.

“We don’t need four more years of bluster and chaos,” Barack said. “We’ve seen that movie — and we all know that the sequel’s usually worse. America is ready for a new chapter. America’s ready for a better story. We are ready for a President Kamala Harris.”

Rap fans immediately began connecting the Obamas’ speeches toLamar’sdisses against Drizzy. “They should’ve put the ‘meet the grahams’ beat behind this michelle speech,” former Desus & Mero host Desus Nice tweeted.

Others were a step ahead and edited the harrowing instrumental behind the speeches, which some dubbed the remix as “Meet the Trumps.”

“His limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hard-working, highly educated, successful people who happened to be Black,” Michelle Obama said of Trump before her mic drop as the music plays in the remixed video. “I wanna know who’s gonna tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those Black jobs?”

Apple Music host Lowkey continued to quote lyrics from K. Dot’s “Euphoria” alongside clips of Obamas’ speeches. “There’s three goats left and i see two of them kissing and hugging on stage,” he tweeted.

Another viewer chimed in: “Trump’s Truth Social meltdown on the Obama’s is like Drake tryin to respond after Kendrick left him for dead. Done and dusted.”

Music has also been at the center of the DNC in Chicago this week, with Patti LaBelle, Common and DJ Cassidy hitting the stage on night two. Lil Jon even made a surprise appearance to fire up the thousands in attendance, which included Spike Lee and Eva Longoria.

During the California roll call, West Coast hip-hop dominated the segment. Lamar’s “Not Like Us” provided the soundtrack for a set that included K. Dot’s “Alright,” Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre’s “The Next Episode” and 2Pac’s “California Love.”

Find more reactions to the Obamas’ speeches below.

21 Aug 2024

Report Alleges Donald Trump Contacted Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu To Halt Ceasefire Talks In Dig To Harris-Walz Campaign

HipHopWired Featured Video

GOP Presidential Candidate Donald Trump Campaigns In Michigan

Donald Trump finds himself under more scrutiny after a report suggested that the former president allegedly contacted Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu to halt ceasefire talks with Hamas. The reason is that the Trump campaign believes a successful ceasefire deal would boost Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz’s campaign hopes.

In a clip from PBS NewsHour shared by Parsons School of Design professor David Carroll, veteran broadcast journalist Judy Woodruff shared that she saw reporting that pointed to Donald Trump contacting Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off on bringing a ceasefire with Hamas to fruition.

“The reporting is that former President Trump is on the phone with the prime minister of Israel urging him not to cut a deal right now because it’s believed that would help the Harris campaign,” Woodruff is heard saying in the video below.

Among several negative marks that President Joe Biden’s administration has suffered in the eyes of voters is what is seen as a blind support of Israel in its battle with Hamas with many believing the administration is funding a genocide. Under President Biden’s orders, Secretary of State Antony Blinken just completed his ninth visit to the Gaza region where the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to unfold and was once again unable to garner a truce.

If the reports that Trump reached out to Israeli leadership regarding the ceasefire deal, it would be considered by some to be a violation of the Logan Act.

The Logan Act, established in 1799, is a law that states, “Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.”

During the Trump-Pence administration’s time in the White House, Trump accused former Secretary of State John Kerry of violating the Logan Act for reportedly having talks with Iran, and in 2015, Democrats and others charged Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas with violating the Logan Act after he enacted a coalition of Congress members to oppose President Barack Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran. Further, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack accused Donald Trump of violating the act when the convicted felon and former reality television star encouraged Russian hackers to go after Hillary Clinton’s email account during the 2015 presidential campaign.

Carroll added in his string of replies on X where Woodruff may have gotten the information regarding contact between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu by sharing a report from Reuters that says Axios was the first to mention the talks between the pair earlier this month and confirmed via sources. However, Netanyahu’s office says that the discussion with Trump regarding the ceasefire never happened as reported by Axios.

—

Photo: Getty

21 Aug 2024

I’m Not Copying, You’re Copying! Donald Trump Hijacks Kamala Harris’ Beyoncé Campaign Theme ‘Freedom’ In New Video

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump appears to have briefly ditched his insult comic schtick and flipped to cheekily borrowing pages from Vice President Kamala Harris’ playbook. In the midst of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago that on Tuesday night (August 20) officially nominated Harris in a joy- and music-filled night that featured each state announcing their support with a theme song provided by DJ Cassidy, Trump’s campaign spokesperson pre-empted the celebration with a brazen lift.

A 13-second video of Trump’s arrival in Detroit for a rally on Tuesday posted by mouthpiece Steven Cheung hours before night two of the DNC featured the former reality TV star walking down the steps of his plane onto the tarmac soundtracked by Beyoncé‘s “Freedom.” If you’ve been paying attention over the past month, then surely you know that the soaring song from Bey’s Lemonade album is the official Harris campaign theme song.

Harris walked out to the track at her official campaign kick-off on July 22 and Queen Bey gave the former Senator and California Attorney General her blessing to use the song at her rallies. An a cappella version of the tune helped kick-off the DNC on Monday night, further cementing its spot as the official anthem of the Harris campaign.

At press time spokespeople for the Trump campaign and Beyoncé had not returned Billboard‘s request for comment.

The brazen move from Trump’s team comes less than two weeks after Trump complained that Harris was copying his idea to not tax tips, telling a crowd “she just stole it.” The idea theft accusation is rich considering Trump has landed in hot water repeatedly since he pivoted from real estate and reality TV to politics eight years ago.

Since then, dozens of musicians and songwriters have objected to the twice-impeached former President using their songs at political rallies, including the Rolling Stones, Adele, Rihanna and the Sinead O’Connor estate, among many others. While a number have publicly objected and some have sent cease-and-desist orders after saying they want no connection to the Trump campaign, in July the estate of Isaac Hayes said it was taking legal action against Trump for playing the Hayes co-written “Hold On, I’m Coming” to close his rallies.

As reported by Billboard, when it comes to objections from artists and songwriters, the process of protest is pretty straightforward. The performing rights organizations BMI and ASCAP require political campaigns to obtain licenses to use songs in their catalogs, with a caveat in the license that allows songwriters to object to usage in a political campaign. However, that does not prevent a campaign from playing a song at a rally, or in this case, in a promotional video.

That said, a lawyer for Jackson Browne — who sued late Republican Sen. and presidential aspirant John McCain for using his song “Running on Empty” in a 2008 commercial — said “most political campaigns aren’t keen about just taking the song down.” Trump has been especially brazen in this regard and it was unclear at press time if the clip featuring “Freedom” could fall under the fair use provision, which doesn’t require a license at all.

Either way, hijacking a rival campaign’s official song seems decidedly on-brand for the Trump campaign’s “ask for forgiveness, not permission” approach to political combat and it remains to be seen if Beyoncé, or her team, will take action to get the video removed from X. At press time it did not appear that Beyoncé had responded to the Trump video on her socials.

Check out the Trump campaign video below.

20 Aug 2024

Democrats Transform Convention Roll Call, Lil Jon Popped Out

HipHopWired Featured Video
2024 Democratic National Convention: Day 2

Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty

Roll call votes at political conventions are often seen as routine, even dull, but on Tuesday (Aug. 20), the Democratic Party turned tradition on its head, delivering an electrifying dance party during their convention.

DJ Cassidy, dressed sharply in a royal blue satin double-breasted suit, set the stage by spinning a carefully curated playlist that captured the essence of each state and territory as they pledged their delegates to Vice President Kamala Harris. What unfolded was a musical journey across America, featuring everything from Detroit native Eminem’s iconic “Lose Yourself” for Michigan, to Dropkick Murphys’ “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” for Massachusetts, and Tupac Shakur’s “California Love” for California.

Georgia’s delegation took the celebration to the next level, with Atlanta’s own Lil Jon making a live appearance at Chicago’s United Center, energizing the crowd to the beats of his hit “Turn Down for What,” a collaboration with DJ Snake.

The Democrats’ approach was clear: they aimed to infuse their convention with joy and optimism, a vibrant counterbalance to the serious messages about the importance of defeating Republican nominee Donald Trump in the upcoming election.

This year’s roll call echoed the innovative video roll call of the 2020 convention, held during the pandemic, which famously featured Rhode Island’s calamari presentation. That moment set a high bar, compelling the Democrats to up the ante in 2024. (Ironically, the chef behind that tray of calamari was later revealed to be a Trump supporter.)

Emerging political leaders like Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear were front and center during this year’s roll call. The star-studded event also featured movie director Spike Lee representing New York and actor Sean Astin, known for his role in the football film “Rudy,” joining the Indiana delegation.

While the musical choices brought a festive atmosphere, they also carried a degree of risk. The 1996 Democratic convention in Chicago is still remembered for the awkward spectacle of delegates attempting the Macarena to Los del Río’s “Macarena (Bayside Boys Remix).” That moment continues to circulate as a lighthearted political memory decades later.

Florida made a pointed statement by choosing Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” as their roll call anthem, subtly jabbing at Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. Petty, a Gainesville native, had his song co-opted by DeSantis for his unsuccessful presidential primary campaign, making Florida’s choice all the more symbolic. “Florida is worth fighting for,” declared state Democratic chairwoman Nikki Fried, emphasizing the importance of national Democrats investing in a state that has shifted sharply to the right.

Other musical highlights included Alabama’s inevitable choice of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” Alaska’s nod to Wasilla’s own Portugal. The Man with “Feel It Still,” and Minnesota’s tribute to Prince with “1999.” Indiana, with Astin at the helm, played Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough,” Nevada went with Las Vegas-born The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside,” Kansas opted for the rock classic “Carry On My Wayward Son” by Kansas, and New Jersey paid homage to Bruce Springsteen with “Born in the USA.”

Despite the celebratory tone, the roll call wasn’t without its poignant moments. Texas delegate Kate Cox shared a personal and emotional story, recounting how she was forced to seek an abortion out of state after being denied the procedure by the Texas Supreme Court. Amid this backdrop, Cox joyfully announced that she is expecting again, with her baby due in January.

Under the Democratic Party’s rules, Vice President Kamala Harris was the only candidate to receive enough nominations to be formally entered into contention. Votes cast for other candidates or as uncommitted were recorded as “present” during the earlier virtual roll call. Tuesday’s lively and symbolic roll call was a reflection of the results of that earlier vote.

The Democrats’ roll call vote, transformed into a joyous celebration, showcased their commitment to energizing their base while delivering a powerful message of unity and purpose.

The full list:

20 Aug 2024

Megyn Kelly Sheds Salty White Tears Over HBCU Shout-Out At DNC, X Gives Her A History Lesson

HipHopWired Featured Video

CLOSE

Celebrities Visit SiriusXM - March 28, 2024

Source: Dia Dipasupil / Getty

During the first night of the Democratic National Convention, Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-CA) kicked off her speech by noting that she and Vice President Kamala Harris “share a lot in common,” specifically, the fact that they “both graduated from historically Black colleges.”

Butler’s show of HBCU love to Harris was a pretty uncontroversial thing if you ask Black people since we tend to be pretty well-accustomed to the pride HBCU alumni take in their alma mater. To us, the nod to HBCUs by Butler, who attended Jackson State University, was simply a good look for the culture on the national political stage. But to white and fragile America’s favorite Karbon Kopy Karen, Megyn Kelly, what Butler said was a clear affront to white people.

“Laphonza Butler spkg – (she filled Feinstein’s seat) – celebrating that she and Harris both graduated from historically black colleges. Imagine the white person up there: I’m proud to tell you I went to a mostly white university!” Kelly tweeted.

Now, no one should have needed to point out to Kelly that HBCUs only ever existed because white people didn’t want Black people learning in the same classrooms as them, just as no one should have to point out that “White History Month” isn’t a thing because, in America, white history is celebrated by default the other 11 months of the year. Of course, like the rest of white conservative America, Kelly ignores America’s racist history, which is why she once defended blackface and claimed it’s not racist. Kelly also ignores her own hypocrisy, which is why she thinks a shout-out to HBCUs is racist, but she didn’t think it was racist when she insisted that Jesus and Santa Claus are white and should only be depicted as white.

Instead of utilizing a smidgeon of common sense, Kelly set herself up to get dragged by the fine folks on X, most of whom offered her the history lesson she shouldn’t have needed.

Check out the reactions below.

20 Aug 2024

Lil Jon Makes Surprise Appearance to Help Georgia Dems Nominate Kamala Harris for President: ‘DNC, Turn Down for What!’

Lil Jon transported the 2024 Democratic National Convention to Atlanta when he made a surprise appearance to share the Georgia delegates’ votes for Vice President Kamala Harris during the DNC roll call on Tuesday night (Aug. 20).

The roll call took on a new format this year, with DJ Cassidy introducing each state with its own song. The Georgia delegates took it one step further when their hometown hero turned up to share their 123 votes for Harris.

“Georgia, how do you cast your votes?,” the announcer asked, as Jermaine Dupri’s “Welcome to Atlanta” could be heard playing in the background. As the music shifted to DJ Snake and Lil Jon’s 2013 club banger “Turn Down for What,” the camera panned to the Atlanta rapper/producer walking down the stairs and letting out his signature “Yeahhhhh!,” which reverberated across Chicago’s United Center.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are here tonight to officially nominate Kamala Harris for president,” Lil Jon hollered before rapping, “Fire up that loud, another round of shots/ DNC, turn down for what!”

Lil Jon made his way through the crowd — starting chants of “We’re not going back!” and “VP Harris!” — before ending on the floor with the Georgia delegates to officially cast their votes.

In addition the DJ Cassidy-led roll call and Lil Jon cameo, Patti LaBelle and Common also performed on day 2 of the DNC. LaBelle performed “You Are My Friend” for the night’s “in memoriam” segment, while Common performed “Fortunate,” switching up the lyrics to say “Be fortunate, y’all, for Kamala Harris.” Monday’s DNC day 1 included performances from Jason Isbell and Mickey Guyton, while James Taylor’s planned set was cut for time when President Biden’s remarks started much later than the schedule intended.

Watch Lil Jon’s surprise DNC appearance below:

20 Aug 2024

Common & Patti LaBelle Perform at Night 2 of DNC 2024

The Democratic National Convention continued Tuesday night (Aug. 20) at Chicago’s United Center, and more music stars took the stage to celebrate Vice President Kamala Harris‘ presidential nomination.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Patti LaBelle stepped onstage to deliver her 1977 hit “You Are My Friend” for the night’s in memoriam segment, singing the lyrics, “Your love has made me realize/ My future looks bright to me/ Oh, because you are my friend.” The icon previously performed Sam Cooke’s classic “A Change is Gonna Come” at the 2004 DNC. Most recently, she performed on the White House South Lawn for Biden’s Juneteenth concert.

Patti LaBelle performs during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

Patti LaBelle performs during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois.

Win McNamee/Getty Images

Common also took the stage at the DNC to perform his recently released Pete Rock collaboration “Fortunate,” switching up the lyrics at one point to tell the crowd: “Be fortunate, y’all, for Kamala Harris.” Common is also no stranger to a DNC performance, as he appeared virtually during the 2020 ceremony due to the global pandemic to join John Legend for a rendition of their best original song Oscar winner “Glory” from 2014’s Selma.

The DNC’s second night featured the theme “A Bold Vision for America’s Future,” and featured remarks from former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama; Harris’ husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff; Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Commentator Ana Navarro hosted the evening.

Harris took over the nomination from President Joe Biden, who spoke on the opening night of the DNC. Since then, surveys have shown that while Republican nominee Donald Trump was previously winning in several key battleground states, the polls are now shifting slightly in Harris’ favor, per New York Times/Siena College.

Watch LaBelle’s and Common’s performances below:



20 Aug 2024

Common Performs At Democratic National Convention 2024, DJ Cassidy Passes The Votes

HipHopWired Featured Video
2024 Democratic National Convention: Day 2

Source: Kevin Dietsch / Getty

You know you can’t have a Democratic presidential campaign without Common‘s involvement. On Tuesday (August 20), the Chicago MC performed at the United Center to open the second night of the Democratic National Convention in his hometown.

The “Chi-City” rapper hit the stage with Grammy Award-winning Gospel singer Jonathan McReynolds to perform “Fortunate.” The song appears on The Auditorium Vol. 1, Common’s recently released, critically acclaimed collaborative album with producer Pete Rock.

Also schedule to perform is iconic Soul singer Patti LaBelle.

The keynote speakers for the evening are scheduled to by Dem royalty and former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

And in another example of Hip-Hop’s presence at the DNC, DJ Cassidy brought his Pass The Mic theme by provided the music to the roll call vote. Can we say a DNC roll call vote has never been this entertaining.

Actually, Lil Jon came out to perform during Georgie’s roll call vote, so it’s official.

20 Aug 2024

DNC Host Tony Goldwyn Says a Taylor Swift or Beyoncé Endorsement of Kamala Harris Would Be ‘Significant’

Tony Goldwyn took the stage as host for the opening night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday night (Aug. 19), and the actor sat down with Variety to share his thoughts about the evening and that he feels “confident” about Kamala Harris‘ chances to win the presidency in November.

Explore

See latest videos, charts and news

See latest videos, charts and news

Additionally, the Scandal star opened up about what it would mean if Harris got an official endorsement from major music stars including Taylor Swift or Beyoncé. “I think this one is going to be won on the margins so every bit helps. I really hope they do come out for her because from what I read and can see Kamala’s values align with theirs. They’re incredibly powerful women and I think it could be significant. I don’t know if many people vote based on how their music icons vote but just as in sports, momentum is everything. If you can add to that momentum, it’s only to the good.”

While Swift hasn’t officially endorsed Harris, some fans think she may have subtly hinted that she’s on the Democratic nominee’s side via Instagram. A Harris-like silhouette appears in the background of a photo the star posted of her Warsaw Eras Tour performances at PGE Narodowy, walking in the opposite direction upstage wearing a pantsuit and giving a presidential wave. However, a source close to the pop superstar told The Hollywood Reporter that the shadowy figure was simply the silhouette of one of the background singers.

Meanwhile, Harris is a huge fan of Queen Bey. Last month, Harris appeared in a campaign staff meeting in Wilmington, Del., walking out to Beyoncé‘s 2016 hit, “Freedom.”

Bey’s mother, Tina Knowles, has openly supported Harris on social media. “New, Youthful, Sharp , , energy !!!! You asked for it and our President Biden did what was best for the country ! Putting personal Ego , power and fame aside . That is the definition of a great leader, . Thank you, President Biden for your service and your leadership . Go Vice President Kamala Harris for President. Let’s Go #kamala2024,” she wrote in an Instagram post, featuring a photo of her with the VP at her daughter’s Renaissance World Tour.

20 Aug 2024

Patti LaBelle to Perform at Democratic National Convention on Night 2

Legendary R&B singer Patti LaBelle will perform at the Democratic National Convention Tuesday (Aug. 20) in Chicago at the United Center, the Kamala Harris campaign confirms to Billboard.

The multiple-Grammy winner follows country singer Mickey Guyton and Americana artist Jason Isbell, who played the opening night (Aug. 19) of the four-day event. Longtime Democratic supporter and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer James Taylor was slated to perform, but was cut for time constraints and to allow President Joe Biden on stage earlier.

Among the speakers slated for the four-hour primetime slot Tuesday — under the theme A Bold Vision for America’s Future — are former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama; Harris’ husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff; and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. (Harris’ VP pick, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, will speak Aug. 21). Tuesday’s host will be commentator Ana Navarro. 

The “New Attitude” singer is no stranger to the DNC stage.  She performed a spine-tingling version of the Sam Cooke classic and civil rights anthem “A Change is Gonna Come” at the 2004 DNC.  

She is also no stranger to Harris and Biden. LaBelle most recently performed on the White House South Lawn on June 10 for Biden’s Juneteenth concert.  In 2021, Biden signed a law that made June 19 (Juneteenth) a federal holiday, commemorating when the last enslaved people learned of their freedom in 1865. She was joined by Gladys Knight, Kirk Franklin, Anthony Hamilton, Doug E. Fresh, Brittney Spencer, Trombone Shorty, Charlie Wilson and other performers. 

LaBelle is on her 8065 tour, so named for her age, 80, and her 65th year in music. The tour, which started in July, ends Dec. 18 in St. Petersburg, Fla.  When Billboard asked her earlier this year if she had any plans to retire, the icon answered, “No way. I’m going to keep on going. There’s no reason to stop unless you just can’t do anything anymore, right? And how can you retire from something you love?”