Is Obama Having a Positive Affect on Rap Music Today???

Nationally know Rapper, Common, introduces us to the "Obama Effect."  In a CNN article, Common states that "he is already seeing signs that Obama is making a mark on a musical genre often vilified because of its focus on drugs, violence and the degradation of women."  Common believes that rappers are going to focus more on justice issues and other positive things because "the whole chain-shining-and-rim era is gone, that's like super-played out."  People are tired of the same songs that are about 'nothing', all of this, Common believes, is because of the "Obama Effect."

This article was interesting to me because I have stopped listening to rap music because I was tired of feeling degraded as a woman.  however, if the rap genre is about to change to issues that actually have logical and respectful meanings than I'm sure I will want to listen again.  I am interested that Common thinks that Obama has something to do with the change.  He never gave any specifics as to why he called it the "Obama Effect", he only said that since Obama is in office, the genre is changing.  I would like to know what makes Obama the 'signal' for change.  Is it because he is Black, young, and or "down-to-earth"?  We can all see that Obama has a heart for the young people in America, but can he really be given the credit for a more positive rap genre?  Do the consumers get any credit for the desire to hear something new that has a positive message?


I think this is important because Rap music is a highly influential medium.  It is a medium that has an affect on the "dress-down" fashion, and even new slang words.  If Rap music begins to promote things like education, justice, or peace, how would this world as we know it change?  Will young people become more serious about the country we live in?  Will it allow for a better connection between the young and old?  I am curious to see the progress of this hopefully changing genre.  I hope you are too.

~Lexi

*** If you want to read the "Obama Effect" acticle here it is: http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/23/common.obama.hip.hop/index.html