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

January 17th, 2010 | By Sonnie

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

It’s About Time: Obama Has To Speak Against Ludacris

July 31st, 2008 | By Sonnie

Hah!  Now that Ludacris has targeted Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama has to call him out.  In a song leaked on the underground circuit, Ludacris calls Hillary Clinton a B!*$#, John McCain should be paralyzed, and President Bush is Mentally Handicapped.  So Barack Obama sent a surrogate to with a statement.

Lyrics to Politics As Usual

I’m back on it like I just signed my record deal

Yeah the best is here, the Bentley Coup paint is dripping wet, it got sex    appeal

Never should have hated

You never should’ve doubted him

With a slot in the president’s iPod Obama shattered ’em

Said I handled his biz and I’m one of his favorite rappers

Well give Luda a special pardon if I’m ever in the slammer

Better yet put him in office, make me your vice president

Hillary hated on you, so that b**** is irrelevant

Jesse talking slick and apologizing for what?

If you said it then you meant it how you want it have a gut!

And all you other politicians trying to hate on my man,

watch us win a majority vote in every state on my man

You can’t stop what’s bout to happen, we bout to make history

The first black president is destined and it’s meant to be

The threats ain’t fazing us, the nooses or the jokes

So get off your ass, black people, it’s time to get out and vote!

Paint the White House black and I’m sure that’s got ’em terrified

McCain don’t belong in any chair unless he’s paralyzed

Yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped

Ball up all of his speeches and I throw ’em like candy wrap

’cause what you talking I hear nothing even relevant

and you the worst of all 43 presidents

Get out and vote or the end will be near

The world is ready for change because Obama is here!

’cause Obama is here

The world is ready for change because Obama is here!

No, I’m not joking those are the words.  So Barack Obama camp released this statement.

“<a title=”Luda and Barack” href=”http://www.telegraph.co.uk” target=”_blank”>As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today    too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he    doesn’t want his daughters or any children exposed to.” </a>

Then in the same breath.  “This song is not only outrageously offensive to Mrs Clinton, Rev.    Jackson, Mr McCain and President Bush, it is offensive to all of us who are    trying to raise our children with the values we hold dear. While Ludacris is    a talented individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics.”

When are you going to realize Barack Obama is just another politician?  He maybe black but he is a politician none the less.

<em><strong>A few things I wonder</strong></em>

How can you praise a man you won’t let your daughter listen to?  Even when she was grown, would you want her to hear Ludacris’ music?

If you had to ride an airplane, and they let you choose the pilot.  One is black with no experience, and One is white with 25 years of experience?  Which would you choose?

Let some one talk about his wife, and Obama shouts it across the mountain tops.  Are your wife and kids the only women that mean anything?  Why are there no speeches against Ludacris.  Instead we get info from surrogates, when this is an opportunity to tell those men that look up to you to respect women.  Women as a whole, not just your wife.

You Won’t Get My Money

May 21st, 2008 | By Sonnie

I was overjoyed watching the 07 BET Music Awards. Katt Williams was great. I loved how he highlighted all the positives happening in our communities. I loved it, but my favorite moment came from legendary Hip Hop’er.

MC Lyte said “Know who is making music for you.” I jumped off my couch and began jumping around yelling and screaming her praises. All she had to say was “Ludacris” and I would’ve created the new MC Lyte Fanclub with a tattoo on my forehead.

Now I know he isn’t the only one, nor is he the worst. Ludacris just happens to cause the most drama in my house. My beau was a huge Ludacris fan when we met. I listened and since we were in that new stage of a relationship, I didn’t rant and rave. I even went and bought him’Chicken and Beer.” I wanted to surprise him so I put it in the car.

That was it. I lost it. It was the worst kind to. You know from “Anger Management” when Jack Nicholson kept pressing Adam Sandler. I was there. Every song was about a ho. Now I’m not sensitive. I know there are whores, tricks, and the rest, but every song.

I instantly formed an opinion of Ludacris. He doesn’t want my money. He isn’t making music for me and the women like me that show respect for ourselves. I bet he was payed alot of attention at school, because no girls would give him any play.

Then my dude confirmed my thoughts. He informed me Ludacris grew up in Fairfax, and he was a total goober. He had seen pictures. He began back pedaling when I began laughing and throwing insults Luda’s way. Now that could have been someone making up an I know him story, but I believe it. No man that has been touched by a real woman could make an entire album without a single nice thing to say.

Now I’m going to stop downin Ludacris, he making money and I’m far from a hater. I just know who’s making music for me. So I’ll buy my favs the day they come out and I’ll teach my daughter what to look for.

Inspiration, a message, a slammin beat, and an artist that considered you as target. Those of you that refuse to see women as more than a wet spot, you get no love, no airplay on my radio, and especially no money.