July 22, 2008

Rapper Nas Battles Fox News over Obama Coverage

@ 5:07 pm by Chris Good

Hip hop star Nas will become the latest surrogate for Barack Obama on Wednesday.

Along with ColorofChange.org and MoveOn.org, the artist will deliver a petition to Fox News at its New York headquarters demanding the network end its “pattern of racist attacks” against Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle.

The petition, which has 620,127 signatures, blasts the network for a litany of transgressions, including an on-air graphic that referred to Michelle Obama as "Obama’s baby mama," Bill O’Reilly’s joke about not wanting to have a "lynching party" to deal with Mrs. Obama, and "America’s Pulse" host E.D. Hill’s reference to a fist pound between Obama and his wife as a "terrorist fist jab."

"Fox poisons the country with racist propaganda and tries to call it news," Nas said today.

The signatures were gathered online last month by ColorofChange.org, a grassroots organization focusing on African American issues. Liberal advocacy groups MoveOn.org and the Brave New Foundation also collected signatures.

The effort is independent of Obama’s campaign and has in no way been coordinated with the senator, a source familiar with the initiative said.

"When FOX talks about lynching the woman who may soon be our First Lady and then refers to this wife and mother as a 'baby mama,' they are maligning not only the Obamas, but Black women and Black people across this country," said James Rucker, executive director of ColorofChange.org. "We have over 600,000 signatures–more than half a million people–saying that we won’t stand for Fox’s racism and hate-mongering."

Nas has a history of clashing with the network. O’Reilly criticized the artist’s performance at a benefit concert for Virginia Tech University in 2007 for violent content in many of the rapper’s lyrics. Nas responded by calling O’Reilly a "bloodsucker" who "abuse[s] something like the Virginia Tech [tragedy] for show ratings."

-David Matthews

Archived under: News, Presidential Campaigns
Tags: Barack Obama, Nas

35 Comments »

1. BURP……Nothing to see here please pass on.

   Comment by NIKEINNY — July 22, 2008 @ 5:44 pm

2. Nas, a rapper who constantly shouts out racial slurs in his "music", degrades women, and advocates violence against police dares to act like a saint?

   My generation sucks.

   Comment by Jeremy — July 22, 2008 @ 5:55 pm

3. Michelle Obama herself introduced Barack at a campaign event as "My Babie's Daddy".. you guys are really reaching here. Taking a few quotes out of context here and there isn't working. Crying wolf is weak and lame.. plus it gets old.

   Comment by rickjames — July 22, 2008 @ 6:36 pm

4. Jeremy — Where's your proof?

   Comment by Concerned — July 22, 2008 @ 7:08 pm

5. Nas is just another self-absorbed product of the postmodernist ideas of the 1960's. "Do as I say, not as I do" limousine liberalism can be seen in Al "the Greenhouse Bootprint" Gore, the "triangulating" Clintons, Barak "I can't speak Spanish" Obama, "Lear Jet" Pisslosi, and now "Misogynist" Nas.

   Comment by TJ'S Anti-Contrarian Blog — July 22, 2008 @ 7:23 pm

6. Where was Nas when 90% of dems were calling President Bush Hitler, baby killer, and other insane accusations? Nobody from the left spoke out against that. If Fox news said those things then I'm sure it was in jest and there was none of the hate venom such as that spewed by the dems. Nas and his ilk sound like the Muslims who can't take criticism about their religion. I guess the followers of Lord Messiah Obama learned a thing or two from the Jihadists!

   Comment by mgt — July 22, 2008 @ 7:54 pm

7. Does any of the people who have commented actually LISTENED to Nas? Not all hip-hop is slur-laden.

   Our generation may suck in your eyes, because too many of us are too lazy, apathetic and complacent to actually think before speaking.

   Comment by Smokin Joe — July 22, 2008 @ 8:04 pm

8. For smokin Joe- I checked out Nas lyrics. It's typical rap crap, MF this MF that. Liberal use of the "N" word also low respect for women, He's not any different from all the rest if that was what you were inferring. Why you kids like this filth will always be a mystery to me. If you want to be taken seriously you might want to grow up a little. I know you think you have to shock to be heard but that will change with some maturity.

   Comment by mgt — July 22, 2008 @ 8:25 pm

9. I confess I was ignorant, never heard NAS's music before so I googled his lyrics and what a surprise. He actually cusses and talks about killing the Feds and police. He's also very proud of being a low life scum who blames others for the problems him and his peeps have. "Concerned" your proof is in his lyrics as if you dems even care about the truth. Jeremy was right!

   Comment by John — July 22, 2008 @ 8:49 pm

10. But you are OK with the rest of the mainstream media's bias towards him right? Got it.

    Comment by Doug — July 22, 2008 @ 9:09 pm

11. Excuse me, don't question my age or maturity. I'm not the one casting generalities and making assumptions based on one artist's lyrics.

    Do you think that respected celebrities should stay quiet based on what roles they play? Please, give me a break - because he is an artist he has the right to keep his product and his opinion separate. He is still a man, who apparently is part of a few large organizations, who are you to judge him and his priorities.

    And I'm actually shocked you were able to read the lyrics to all his songs and interpret what it all means so quickly! Wow, you must have majored in musical culture or something of the sort!

    Oh, and mgt - 'It's typical rap crap.'

    All I really needed to read to anticipate an attack on my maturity.

    Comment by Smokin Joe — July 22, 2008 @ 9:22 pm

12. I wish for once that Obama would be defended by someone I respect. I hear that Obama is going to join Rick Warren's evangelical church. That could be a good thing.

    Comment by russ — July 22, 2008 @ 9:29 pm

13. Who among us can't discern the bias relative to the coverage?
    If you can't see it, you don't get it. You are a "robot looking for validation, where none exists".
    As to the " I visit, therefore i am BS, that is obviously not MENSA qualification, unless the standards have been "dumbed down" to accomodate the "I am a friend of Jesse and Al, therefore I am" scenario..
    Give me a break on insulting my inteligence.
    Can i please vote for "Whom" I desire.."Nof f'king pun inteddend"
    Jack

    Comment by jack B — July 22, 2008 @ 10:08 pm

14. Nas, it is you who are obsessed with race and the color of your own skin and that of the unqualified, socialist politician you are supporting solely for the fact he is half black. Not Fox News. Yet another pathetic case of a racist hurling the charge of racism at someone else a la Sharpton, Jackson, Malcolm X, Jeremiah Wright, and on and on. Grow up and be a man.

    Comment by Bea — July 23, 2008 @ 1:06 am

15. Eventually, there will have to be a massive criticism in our nation of "Blacks" for their racism against White people.

    Comment by Browser — July 23, 2008 @ 2:31 am

16. To wit, Obama has a whole book he wrote that is monopolized by his obsessive negation of "White" people. Including his own grandmother and mother due to their "White" people-ness.

    Comment by Browser — July 23, 2008 @ 2:32 am

17. All I did was search "Nas lyrics" and then read just one — ONE — page of those from ONE "toon" of this idiot's and I see he's calling females the "n" word, uses the term, "baby daddy" among a whole lot of very (other) vile things. If there is ANYone who is racist and harms Blacks based on race, it is Nas himself and other idiots like him. Just read what the write.

    Here's the one lyric I happened upon, I don't recommend looking too farther into this profane crap.
    http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/n/nas/2nd_childhood.html

    Comment by Browser — July 23, 2008 @ 2:36 am

18. "Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional."

    Nas did NOT write that. It's aimed at anyone who may assume there's some righteousness in being "Nas-like" and taking fools such as him seriously. Obviously, Nas is just another person with embittered resentments who gets a lot of attention by screaming about it. It'll be interesting to see if he changes with age or remains an idiot all his life.

    Comment by Browser — July 23, 2008 @ 2:39 am

19. Fuck em!

    Comment by Dan H — July 23, 2008 @ 5:26 am

20. To hell with Nas and his racist spin.

    Comment by Steve, Jacksonville/USA — July 23, 2008 @ 7:07 am

21. Independant poll after poll shows Fox's coverage of all the candidates as the most fair. For example, everyday there are tons of headlines on McCain and Obama and Obama gets about 75% of the headlines with the VAST majority of them being positive while McCain's headlines are about 65& negative.
    Sounds like Nas is just falling in line with moveon.org.

    Comment by David — July 23, 2008 @ 8:15 am

22. mgt — the difference is that journalists weren't calling Bush a baby-killer on any one network repetitively and no one network has bigoted agenda against Bush. Dems can call Bush whatever they want — that's opinion. But to report racist statements as fact is criminal if you ask me.

    That said, having a rapper who uses racist and sexist lyrics as a front man against Fox Network is a little… odd. It kind of diminishes the charges leveled at Fox, eh?

    Comment by kbd — July 23, 2008 @ 8:35 am

23. If he wasnt a rapper im sure he would be ridding some entitlement program. Get a grip on society kid. You are probably the same freak that compared W to Hitler. Nobody cares what you have to say. Go make your money and live a great life and dont forget where you come from. Live that American dream!

    Comment by g-money — July 23, 2008 @ 9:01 am

24. Seeing someone reference Nas as a "post-modern artist" in these comments was all I needed to realize that ALL OF YOU ARE JOKES.

    Comment by Josh — July 23, 2008 @ 9:03 am

25. Wow, reading these postings I'm embarassed to have to share a country with some of you people. NAS is known as one of the "wise men" of hip-hop, and much of what he rhymes about was his young life on the street-in essence he is a storyteller-, and whether you like it or not, this culture has become an influential part of our society. That being said, Fox news has always been known for their controversial coverage and biased reporting, but it is something they embrace. They desire this kind of attention, as it will get them more viewers one way or the other. Our country is in a sad state of affairs right now, and hate mongering, from both sides, does us no good whatsoever.

    And Browser- I suggest you actually actively read those lyrics you're bashing, instead of trying to find certain buzzwords to get angry about. The man's telling a series of stories, and I'm sorry if you can't relate.

    Comment by RG — July 23, 2008 @ 9:09 am

26. It's amazing that liberals will point the finger at white newscasters that even remotely imply racism and will totally disregard the blatent racist comments last week by the "civil rights leader" Rev. Jackson.

    Comment by Jake — July 23, 2008 @ 9:09 am

27. why didnt any news network spend any time discussing the collapse of WTC building 7?

    It fell to the ground in its own footprint.

    4/5ths of you are probably thinking " building 7? "

    Jordan Maxwell, John Hilder, Bill Cooper, Eustace Mullins, Kay Griggs, and Micheal Ruppert will show you the light. Search them please. The jig is up.

    Comment by ben — July 23, 2008 @ 11:12 am

28. Just google 'NAS Big Girl Lyrics' Prepare to be shocked…

    Comment by Dillon — July 23, 2008 @ 11:50 am

29. The irony that Nas' lyrics are being deleted by the moderator speaks volumes.

    Comment by Used to Love Hip Hop — July 23, 2008 @ 12:10 pm

30. Fox News is the Kunta Kinte of the Left. Meaning, it's their whipping boy

    Comment by Used to Love Hip Hop — July 23, 2008 @ 12:11 pm

31. You want change? Start with the "man in the mirror".This whiny racial $*&# is getting on my #%$&*ing nerves! HYPOCRITE- situation in a nut shell.Yes we are human, we all make mistakes, things have been said/are said that should not.But does it really have to be an issue?Come on! Let's move it along people so we can make some positive progress! Dang! always dwelling on IRRELEVANT bullhonky!!!!

    Comment by Boss E — July 23, 2008 @ 12:52 pm

32. David Matthews(author) needs to be disciplined for writing such bullspit. Nas is not Hill-worthy.

    Comment by Dale Earnhardt — July 23, 2008 @ 2:23 pm

33. It seems that there are a lot of people just bashing NAS here when all he really is doing is writing music about his experience. If you knew anything about his career or where he comes from you would probably understand that he isn't saying go mistreat women, sell crack, and shoot up the block, but rather he is referring to how life was like, and the things he has seen growing up in the situation he has. For anybody to just assume that he wants people to go kill and mistreat women is ridiculous and you should be embarassed. Furthermore, I'm glad that somebody is standing up against fox news. Anybody who believes that they are fair and balanced is a blatant idiot and you need to get your eyes and ears checked. It's funny that Nas is so controversial yet he is one of the most popular figures in American Popular Music. Fox News is a juke. The are victimizing their viewers by pretty much psychologically influencing how you feel if you watch it. It's disgusting, what a joke. Go Nas for standing up for your people and this country.

    Comment by djpavlov — July 24, 2008 @ 10:04 am

34. Bowser

    You referenced 2nd Childhood as the NAS song that so offended you. Have you ever watched a movie? Or read a work of fiction? The lyric is a narrative about different people who ultimately aren't growing up, just growing older. It's not glorifying it, it's a series of stories.

    Try to take off your blinders and use some reading comprehension and context clues. Yeesh.

    Comment by iaintweedy — July 29, 2008 @ 11:15 am

35. Isn't it funny how easy it is to feel good about yourself if you can call someone a name? "hypocrite"… "racist" … "misogynist"…

    #1. If the small hints of racism displayed by Fox don't bother you, then, I suggest you read a few history books on the history of Nas' people in the US. Try Claude Brown's "Manchild in the Promised Land" or John Howard Griffin's "Black Like Me". You can even get the latest chapter if you care to actually listen to a few of his songs… start with "The World is Yours" or "I Can" or "The Slave and the Master"…

    #2. While most stations obviously are biased towards Democrats in general, (and Obama in particular), they're not the subtle "racist" biases that seem to keep popping up on Fox. Which type of biases would you expect Nas to care about?

    #3. Of course, Nas is an imperfect spokesman. He hasn't taken a stand against using derogatory words against women like Lupe Fiasco has, and he maintains his tough, violent street image (see "Ether")… but the issue in question is about RACE. And it's disturbing how someone scans 1 song, sees the N-word, and automatically calls someone a racist. Is that the oversimplified country we've come to live in now? I dare you to listen to Nas' new album, which quite intelligently describes his views on the word. (see "America" and the intro to "Project Roach") Nas is the most articulate man I've heard who can describe the experience of many young blacks and connected with the broader

    You can say that angry Malcolm X was wrong about his solutions, but didn't he at least have a problem to be angry about? You don't have to agree with Nas' politics to see the allowed racism in Fox…

    No? It's not funny?

    disclaimer: 25 year old conservative, white teacher in harlem

    Comment by JABianchi — July 30, 2008 @ 3:21 am

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