Up Ahead

Retrieved from https://twitter.com/barackobama

President Barack Obama is this country's 44th leader, but the first African American president of the United States of America. Since 2008, the President of the United States (POTUS), has been an icon and source of change, both welcomed and protested, in the name of social equality. 

Being a member of the younger generation, I am a part of a sought after voting demographic that many candidates either win over easily, or awkwardly fumble to gain. Our generation is vocal and quick to participate in the political discussion, particularly on social media, or through music. 

After Obama's initial win, a handful of R&B musicians took the hope and change that Obama spoke of, and turned his influence into lyrics. Often when presidents are mentioned in lyrics, it revolves around the presidents featured on currency, or the scandals that took place during their time of office. For example, Beyoncé references Bill Clinton's extramarital affair in the song "Partition"; however, when Obama has been discussed in hip-hop songs, it has often been done through a positive light.

The songs I am going to research, dissect, and share will be those that speak to Obama's political influence on modern day music, and the impact the songs have on both the artists and audience. I hope that through this blog, both the reader and myself are able to expand their political horizons as well as knowledge about current and past issues. Due to a lack of knowledge of my own political views, I did not participate in a presidential election until this past primary, so I hope to be enlightened on the emotions felt by artists who were impacted by the 2008 and 2012 elections, via R&B music.

Up ahead: The first song I am wanting to talk about is a toss-up between "Changes" by Common or "Yes We Can" by will.i.am. I would love to hear from the class about which one to choose first or other songs you know of that feature a president, whether it be positive or not.