Ben Carson and the Very Bad, No Good, Absolutely Terrible Rap Campaign Ad

November 6th, 2015 | By Sonnie Johnson

Ben, don’t do it. Please don’t do it. Cause one of us goes in and we all go through it. Unless you plan on doing it right.

GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson just released a rap video in his campaign’s attempt to win the black vote. Doug Watts, Carson’s campaign spokesman said the goal of the video was to “reach them on a level they appreciate and follow and see if we can attract their consciousness about the election.”

Oh, the Carson campaign garnered some attention from the consciousness of black America. Here are a few headlines…

Oh Good Lord, Ben Carson Has a Rap Song Now

Ben Carson’s Rap Ad is here to ruin your day

Ben Carson made a rap song for the Blacks

As an advocate of mixing conservative principles with the very capitalistic Hip Hop industry, you would think I would cheer Ben Carson’s attempt to widen the base. But if I can be cliché for a moment, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The road to annihilation in Hip Hop is as thin as one bad song. Just ask Cannibus, Ja Rule, or Meek Mill.

If you didn’t catch that last reference, you should not be on Ben Carson’s team giving him advice on how to talk to the black community using Hip Hop as a vehicle. Let me put it in terms Carson’s campaign may understand. It would be like sending Donald Trump into a pediatric brain surgery.

Before I am accused of Ben Carson bashing, he hit the nail on the head…

“reaching out and talking to them in a language that they prefer… and in a cultural format that they appreciate.”

To bring about a renaissance, you need a rebirth of culture and intellect. The Ben Carson ad brought in the culture but it totally forgot the intellect.

Hip Hop is no different than any other capitalist endeavor. A quality product produces greater returns. Ben Carson’s attempt to meld Hip Hop with his campaign would be found in the reduced rack of a Family Dollar. Hell, I’m a conservative and lover of Hip Hop and it made my skin cringe.

There are legitimate ways to accomplish Ben Carson’s goal of using culture and conservative principles to reach the black community. This was not one of them.

WARNING: LISTEN AT YOUR OWN RISK!

GEMINI: WHAT ARE YOU FIGHTING FOR?

September 18th, 2015 | By Sonnie Johnson

The Relationship of Politics

February 2nd, 2012 | By Sonnie Johnson

Many of the conversations I have within my inner circle, amongst my family and friends, often lead me back to political comparisons.  There is a neat trick I’ve learned and I want to share it with you.  This mostly works with females but can be tweaked to apply to men as well.

Let’s start at the beginning….

Your friend comes to you and says, “Girl I met this guy the other night and he was the bomb.  We was at the club and he was paying for the drinks, dropping money like it was nothing.  He took me home in his brand new truck.  I was in heaven.”

At this point you say, “Good for you.”  You don’t express your concern for the fast pace of the relationship, nor do you try to convince her all that glitters is not gold because if you do, she’ll call you jealous or hater.

For a two week period expect that friend to disappear, not to answer her phone or stop by for those unexpected visits.  You have to understand she is wrapped up in how good everything feels.  She has romanticized this man in her mind and is in love with the idea of being in love.  SHE FEELS.  And for her that is stronger than the commonsense of her girlfriends.

A month later, that friend will show up on your doorstep with tears in her eyes.  Her dreams met up with reality.  She finds out he had that nice truck because he lives in his mother’s basement.  He owes her so much money that she finally decides to kick him out.  Now he is laying on her couch, playing video games, eating her food, and not contributing to any of the household expenses.  Plus, now he doesn’t want her going to the club, hanging with the girls, or having conversation he doesn’t agree with.  She is venting, “His ass has to go.”

But when she goes home he’s cleaned the house, cooked dinner, ran her a bath, and she regains that feeling of how lucky she is.  He takes her shopping, buys her new shoes, a new outfit, and even gets her hair and nails done.  Now this is what she was expecting.

The next week, he’s back on the couch, video games, and pizza boxes everywhere.

When she comes to vent your response should be simple, “Just like a Democrat.”

The Democrats’ platform revolves around making people feel good.  There is this utopia out there just waiting for you and all you have to do is let them into your house, onto your couch, monitoring your conversations and all will be right with the world.  Of course, you’ll get upset with them from time to time but instead of changing their habits (their platform), they’ll throw you something nice to get you feeling good again. 

So what is a Republican?….

So, your friend finally decides homeboy has to get off the couch and out the house because she can’t let his lies, letdowns, and excuses ruin her life any further.

There’s this guy that works with her.  He asks her out once a week but she always says no because the rumor around the office is he’s insensitive and neglectful.  On Monday, he brings her a single red rose and leaves it at her desk.  On Tuesday, he restocks all her supplies before she gets in, giving her 30 extra minutes to fully awaken for the day.  On Wednesday, he brings up the perfect cup of coffee and a delicious blueberry muffin.  On Thursday, he brings her another single red rose, restocks her supplies, brings her the perfect cup of coffee and delicious blueberry muffin, and she decides to give him a shot.  She agrees to go out with him on Friday night.

Friday morning he doesn’t come to work and Friday evening, after she’s primped and pressed for their date, he doesn’t show up.  He doesn’t even bother to call.

When she comes to vent your response should be simple, “Just like a Republican.”

The Republican platform sounds good and is often backed up with some results.  The problem comes when you finally decide to give them a chance and they change their minds about your relevancy.  Their main motive is to get you to say yes and then conveniently forget they ever asked you  in the first place.

So your friend comes to you with the argument, “All men are dogs and all the good ones are married.” 

You answer, “John Doe has been there all along.”

Now she will be pissed because Joe Doe is boring and predictable.  He works six days a week and spends all his free time volunteering at the church or coaching his son’s little league team.  He doesn’t want to take her out on a date because he’s cheap and doesn’t want to spend the money.  He’d rather cook for her and catch a movie off cable.  His shoe game is weak, hell he doesn’t own a single pair of Jordans.  And he always wears a simple white shirt, he has no class and no style.

Your answer should be simple, “That’s just like a conservative.”

He doesn’t make you promises he can’t keep or raise your expectations beyond reality.  He works six days a week and never spends money frivolously because he has dreams of owning a house with land.  He doesn’t buy expensive clothes because he believes in constantly padding his savings accounts.  You call him boring but he’s stable.   You call him average or plain but he has his priorities in line.  You overlook him, when he’s everything you’ve been looking for.

Yeah, “He’s just like a conservative.”

#OWS and Jay-Z: Friend or Foe?

November 12th, 2011 | By Sonnie Johnson

Your single was .99 / Mine was 4 bucks  Jay Z

 

That lyric was my very first introduction to real capitalism.  I couldn’t put my finger on its name or explain the ins and outs of a market but I knew that one phrase carried the power of success.  If you had a product of superior quality, it can be sold at a higher price.

Now I question, What is the price of Jay-Z?  I feel like typing down every conservative principle and money making lyric ever written into the life and times of Sean Carter but that doesn’t provide me with the answers I need.    Instead it breaks my heart to the very core.  I always thought it would be him.  I always felt he would be the one to tell the Black Community, hell, the whole Country how you change a dollar into 15 cents without crying or taking it from someone else. 

I was wrong.

Jay-Z is coming out with new shirts that read #OccupyAllStreets to show his support of the leeches and bloodsuckers he so eloquently points out in his lyrics.  No question if they are #FriendorFoe.  No question if they have actually put in the work to say #thesestreetsaremine.  None of the questions I’ve been asking since the first time I heard “Imaginary Player” and shaped my perspective of spending money around Jay-Z’s philosophy of real and fake.

Will the real Jay-Z please stand up?

Are you the pampered college kid who mommy and daddy gave everything and you still think it’s not enough or are you the man that “tightened my belt before I begged for help”?  Are you a man that lets others provide your needs or are you the man that said “put me anywhere on God’s green earth, I’ll triple my worth”.  Where is the man that said, “It’s nobody’s fault, I made the the decisions I made/ This is the life I chose or rather the life that chose me”?

That man is still alive and well and that’s why #OccupyWallStreet won’t receive any profits from Jay’s new line of shirts.  He knows it takes money to produce and he should expect a profit on the money he’s invested.  Now all I can see is Hank Reardon being told, just don’t tell the world you want to make money.  Tough.  Jay-Z’s entire reputation will be on the line because of this economic maneuver. 

Only two options remain.  Give in and pay #OccupyWallStreet and let them eat cake while he continues to build an empire or keep the money for himself, his company, employees, stock holders, and family and risk the 99% sticking a stake in his capitalist heart.  If he gives in and pays money, he has shitted on every lyric he’s ever written about not backing down and holding true to his principles.  If he sticks to his guns, he’ll see it’s not about color, loving Hip Hop, or the legacy that is Jay-Z.  It’s either you’re with us or against us.

A Trip Thru Liberalville

October 31st, 2011 | By Sonnie Johnson

Rev. E. V. Hill: A Parent’s Guide

January 18th, 2010 | By Sonnie Johnson

Thank You Melvin Whitlock (Facebook Shoutout)

Black Billionaires and Multi-Millionaires under Bush: Hip Hop and Capitalism

January 17th, 2010 | By Sonnie Johnson

Question:  Why do Hip Hop Artist only talk about LIBERAL Policy when they talk about how broke they were, never when referring to how rich they are?

Answer:  Do as they DO not as they say.

During the 2008 election, the vast majority of Hip Hop Artists and Black Elite backed Barack Obama.  Some were direct and stated his black face won their approval.  Others were direct and stated racism of the past made them vote for Obama.  Yet, there was one group that lied through their teeth and stated hard times as a reason for “CHANGE”.   Surprise, Surprise  Most of them reached Billionaire or Multi-Millionaire status under President George W. Bush.

Back to the question at hand, name the Hip Hop song that promotes “Welfare as a mean to Wealth”.  Don’t get it twisted.  Not “Welfare to Riches” because most artist fit that category.  I mean the Hip Hop anthem that encourages public assistance as the pathway to the house on Cribs, the worldwide vacations, or the highly gas efficient Lambo Hybrid (yeah, right).

Question:  If life teaches lessons, why are the Black prevayers of Multi-million dollar businesses not truthfully sharing those lessons with the rest of the black community?

Answer: “Your single was 99cents, mine was Four bucks”  Jay-Z  or “I didn’t enter the game for the music, I did it for the business”  50 cent

They are!  You just hear it in the music, not in their endorsement of a candidate for office.  Hip Hop Artist and Black Elite separate the success they’ve garnered with the policies that got them there.  If you don’t believe me, here’s the proof:

All Under Bush

Oprah Winfrey– avid Obama supporter, yet no friend to the Hip Hop Community.  Oprah has been on T.V. for 25 years and made it on the Billionaire list in 2003.   I know what you’re thinking,  it took her time to build her audience, I agree.  In five years, all under that evil George W. Bush, Oprah tripled up.  She is now worth 2.7 Billion.  Look at the ratio, 20 years to 1 billion and 5 years to 1.7 billion. 

How?  Bush tax cuts that allowed her to invest in O magazine, Oprah.com, and Dr. Phil.  She got to keep her own money and made that money work for her.  That’s capitalism, yet she backs the “spread the wealth” candidate.   Oprah is spreading the wealth, think about all the people she employs.  Why won’t she back the capitalism that made her who she is and provides her opportunity to say, “you get a car, you get a car, you get a car”?

Bob Johnson– backed Hillary Clinton in Democratic Primaries and Obama in National Election.  The founder of BET made his fortune designing a successful business targeted at the black community.   In building his own financial security he provided numerous opportunities, behind and in-front of the camera, to the black community.  He provided Careers, not jobs, for a willing economic group.  Capitalism!  Let’s see how he fared under Bush.

Mr. Johnson was added to the Billionaire list in 2001.  Two years later he was dropped from list after divorce from wife (Yup, 50% straight down the middle).  In 2007 he recouped his loses and made it back to Billionaire Status, all under that evil Bush.  Hey, doesn’t he now own a NBA Basketball team?  Some dream of playing, others dream of owning the team.  Gotta love Freedom.

Jay-Z– Avid Because He’s Black Obama Voter.    (Remember this:  I can’t say I’ve never kneeled before God and asked for better cards, sometimes to no avail.  But I never sat back feeling sorry for myself.  If you don’t give me Heaven I raise Hell)

Let’s take Roca-wear, formed in 1999 as a basic collection of clothes.  During Evil Bush’s tax cuts, Roca-wear grew to purses, shoes, belts, jewelry; basically you name it, they have it.  Jay-Z opened 40/40 club, his own fragrance line, a vodka company, and a small stake in the New Jersery Nets.  His estimated value is around $720 million.

Now, while I’m a huge fan of “Reasonable Doubt” and ” Life and Times, Vol. 1″,  they didn’t sell like they should’ve.  That forces me to believe majority of his funds came during the Bush Administration.  I guess a little money to invest in yourself goes a long way.  (Would you like Liberal Version: I never kneeled before God and prayed for better cards cuz Government prevails. So I always sit back feeling sorry for myself.  They say this is Heaven, what’s hell?)

Ludacris-avid LIAR Obama Voter.   Ludacris made is preliminary fortune selling cd’s out the trunk of his car.  Say it with me, Capitalism.  I strongly dislike the music he produces, but I have to respect his business savvy.  He owns his own record label, has created his own line of Cognac, and owns multiple satellite radio stations.  Did I mention all under Bush?  His net worth is around $500 million.  Not bad.

Sean “Puffy” Combs– avid LIAR and Scare Tactic Obama Voter.  Seriously, hiding under a sheet afraid of a White Woman.  Why did he retain his black card?  He doesn’t make music anymore, at least music anyone listens too, I’m sure he suffered under evil Bush. 

No, Capitalism to the rescue.  Bad Boy (laugh), Sean John (Chi-ching), cologne and perfume, t.v. shows, and production companies (yup, check Run’s House credits).  He does it all and occasionally guest stars in a music video.  Those evil Bush Tax cuts garnered a mere $600 million for P. Diddy.

50 Cent– admittedly not interested Obama Voter.  Fifty didn’t drop his first CD until Bush was fully in office, let’s see how he’s fared. (Remember:  If I can’t do it, homie, it can’t be done.)

G-unit records, Vitamin water, clothing line, movies, production companies, and a promise this is only the beginning.  Wow, those tax cuts make it impossible for the little man to get ahead.  All under George W. Bush, Curtis 50cent Jackson has stacked over $500 million dollars.  (Could he do it with the Liberal Lyrics:  If Government can’t do it, homie, it can’t be done”?)

The proof lies in the number of zero’s lining these icons bank accounts.  None of them list welfare checks or extended unemployment as a major contribution to their uprising.  Instead, they all display belief in their individual abilities to succeed.  When they garner a small amount of success, they take those profits and reinvest in themselves.  That’s the beauty of Capitalism.  You are allowed to fail or succeed by your own desire. 

It is also the prevailing message in Hip Hop.  I sell more  than you, so I have a bigger car.  I’m hotter, so the hood feels me more.  We are in constant competition over who’s the best.  What is the difference in the competition between Exxon Mobil and Shell?  Or Ford and GM? 

It’s all capitalism and ignoring the similarities puts Hip Hop in a position of failure.  If $250,000 a year is rich, how do you think the Billionaires and Multi-millionaires will fare under Obama administration?  The Hip Hop Career creators will stop investing. (Have you heard Oprah turned over Oprah.com to broadcasting network and planned to cancel her show in 2011.  Wouldn’t have anything to do with those pesky taxes in the pipeline, would it?)

Not to mention, the over-whelming damage not acknowledging Capitalism creates in the inner city.  They can listen to a song and dream of living “the good life” but that same artist turns around and advocates for more public housing, food stamps, and overall government dependency.  When will Hip Hop draw the line and share the whole story about their success with the very people that need the most inspiration? 

 As Heard on

WHWDRadio

R.I.P. Michael Jackson, The King of Pop

June 25th, 2009 | By Sonnie Johnson

Maybe when this sinks in, I’ll have something to say. Maybe when I can say it out loud, I’ll believe it’s true. Until then, this is how I will remember Michael Jackson…….

Hip Hop & The Black Republican: Getting the Society into Social Networking

June 23rd, 2009 | By Sonnie Johnson

1992, I was spending summer vacation with my cousin in the heart of Richmond, Va. Normally, I was restricted to listening to gospel music and oldies. Now I had a little freedom to sample Hip Hop. It was Mary J. Blige, Real Love. I was “Hypnotized”.

2001, I wanted to look beautiful for my birthday, so I scheduled an appointment to get my hair braided. I got up early to go to the hair shop and made my way to the African Braiding Salon. I was early, so I ventured home to pack a lunch for my hubby to go to work. I got home just in time to see the first plane hit the first Tower. Thinking it was an accident, I left to make my appointment. I made it to the shop just in time to hear about the plane crashing into the Pentagon.

Everyone in the shop joined hands and prayed. We prayed for the people on the plane, we prayed for the people in the Twin Towers, we prayed for the rescue worker and everyday hero, we prayed for every family member affected. Then, then we prayed for the terrorist and their supporters. We prayed God would soften their heart. Last, we prayed for President George Bush. We prayed that God would grant him the strength to protect this nation in the days ahead.

12 hours later, I rode home listening to Jill Scott’s, A Long Walk, trying to gather my thoughts. I always believed in God but I wasn’t at the point in my faith where I would pray for the very men that caused massive destruction to my fellow countrymen. I wasn’t at the point of political maturity where I thought George Bush was that important. All I knew was Jill Scott’s melodic voice made me………..WAKE UP!

The intent of my trip down memory lane was not to invoke memories of that day. It was to express the power of Hip Hop. Since I heard my first Hip Hop song, I’ve used the music as a coping mechanism. When I was sad, happy, lonely, amongst friends, busy, chillin, and all the gray areas in between; Hip Hop was there.

Fast Forward

Whydidyousaythatgirl.com-> The Blog WHWDRadio -> The Show WHWDRadio-> The Forum

All dedicated to my two greatest loves, Hip Hop and Future of the United States of America. And YES! I did a shameless plug of everything I got going. You know why? I believe in Capitalism, the Free Market, and an individuals’ right to choose their own destiny. If you find that thing that ignites your passion, work for it and you can get the American Dream. I plug myself every chance I get, did I mention…….

Twitter Facebook Myspace

Hip Hop combines two of my favorite political platforms, Capitalism and Free Speech. The former provides the strength and power to protect the latter. The more capital raised by the Hip Hop industry, the less politicians are willing to attack it. As artist, consumers, promoters, and fans we have given Hip Hop power in the political arena. Democrats have taken full advantage of this new source of power. Where are the Republicans?

After President Obama’s history making election, the central focus was the new technology. All the social networking sites, iphones, and laptop computers created massive grassroots efforts. How? Did the phones hit their owners upside the head and tell them to vote for Obama? Did the social networking sites deny access to those with opposing veiw points? Did the laptop computers instantly send Republican outreach to the spam box?

NO! It wasn’t the hardware, the software, or phantoms whisping through. It was the people on the outgoing end of the tweets, myspace bulletins, and facebook posts. Ludacris, Common, Jay-Z, Puffy, and the list goes on and on and on. Obama wasn’t afraid to be photographed with the artist, even though they cussed, wrote lyrics involving gun violence, or showed misogynistic tendencies. He knew no one follows Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, or Rahm Emanual on twitter. The core Hip Hop base are the people that can sell out packed arenas and go platinum in a day.

Ironically, these are the same people who show the rest of us that Capitalism works. Each taking one step, then another, unwilling to stop, uninhibited by haters or road blocks, and unafraid to risk everything betting of themselves. Each a true and shining example of the American Dream, no matter what you think about the art form that got them to that status.

Imagine this. You gather the aforementioned stars like Obama gathered the execs at Chrysler. You inform them, the rappers on myspace aren’t making the same amount of money as they are, so they need to sign every thing over so it can be redistributed. Could you picture Puffy video blogging about that conversation under a sheet with a flashlight, like he mocked Sarah Palin? Or do you think he would have his legal department trying to figure out a way to stop the government or get his money some where it can’t be touched.

Or try this one. The state in forms Jay-Z, New York no longer allows any weapons in the home or on your person. It doesn’t matter you were never convicted of a felony. It doesn’t matter your weapon is registered and you have a license to carry. It doesn’t matter that you are a Billioniaire, with a face every body knows, and a bullseye on your back, your bodyguards aren’t even allowed to bare arms. How long do you think Jay would remain a New York Resident? Everyone wants to blame the government for T.I.’s conviction, not realizing Democrats push for the laws that make it difficult or impossible for reformed felons to protect themselves and their families.

But we never have these conversations with the movers and shakers in the Hip Hop community. They present themselves, back a candidate, and never have to answer a policy question and those of us who don’t pay attention, assume they know what they are talking about. As their popularity grows, so do the numbers of youth in the Democratic Party.

And how do we combat this? Conquer the hardware? Throw bugs in the software? Or truly become inclusive and let the Hip Hop Community into the Republican Party. This doesn’t mean just the generation who grew up in Hip Hop and graduated to something more. This also includes the generation that grew up in Hip Hip, graduated to something more, and decided to take Hip Hop with them. The Hip Hop fans that can look past graphic language to see true lyrical talent. The encouraged entrepreneur who listened to Fifty’s, “If I can’t do it, homey it can’t be done” right before he closed a multi-million dollar deal. The conservative sister that finds laughter and ridicule when she stands and says, “Better recognize a real woman”.

These are the people who don’t listen to Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Bill O’Reily, or any other conservative host. I know this because I don’t listen to any of the shows. I agree with most policy positions but they don’t capture and hold my attention. I don’t do Elvis and country music comparisons and I don’t appreciate Hip Hop only gaining notoriety when something goes wrong.

As a proud black Republican that carries Hip Hop like my weapon of choice, where do I fit in? If I want to play Hip Hop music on my radio show, do I have to buy the clean version from Wal-mart? Which would go against every principle of free speech and censorship I have? Or do I participate in the Capitalistic system I praise so much?

Believe me, this is not something I just came up with. Since the beginning to WHWDRadio, I’ve made every attempt to reach out to politicians and artist alike. While the politicians have been wonderful and gracious with their time, once I tell an artist my political affiliation, the interview never happens. I inform them that the segment will have nothing to do with politics, just music and they still refuse. Yet, they continue to send their new material and ask my opinion. The true entrepreneurs who look at any audience as a chance to get a couple fans question if they have to change their lyrics to accommodate my audience.

Is my audience really that different than any other audience willing to listen to a fellow Americans perspective of life? If it is, then the Republican Party has no chance to win the minority vote. They are willing to listen, if we are willing to respect the power they hold. This means excepting their form of expression and means of communication. Social Networking means nothing if you can’t reach the people in the society.

Follow Me To Heaven: AJ Uncut

June 20th, 2009 | By Sonnie Johnson

Follow Me To Heaven

Check out Interview with AJ Uncut