Hip-Hop Musical Guests During Democratic National Convention

By Jeralyn, Section Democratic National Convention 2008
Posted on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:36:05 AM EST
Tags: Democratic National Convention (all tags)

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I've been wondering who will be the musical guests for the Democratic National Convention and related parties. By drips and drabs, we're getting more information. Today's news:

Among the big-name performers likely to make a splash in the Mile High City are hip-hop king Kanye West, reggae/hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean and the rap/rock fusion band N.E.R.D.

Bono will be in town, but not to perform for the convention -- AT&T is throwing a party for his One Campaign. Kanye West may perform at the event. As to Wyclef Jean and N.E.R.D., they likely will be at the MTV/Rock the Vote Party.

As to the big corporate sponsors for the event, it's the usual crew:

United Airlines, Google, Coors Brewing Company, Anheuser-Busch, Xcel Energy and telecom giants Motorola, Qwest and -- a brand you'll see plastered all over the place in Denver -- AT&T.

AT&T will be front and center during the convention since it is providing the wireless. [More..]

Of course AT&T can now focus on the fun side of the convention, thanks to congressional passage last week of the domestic spying bill. With its key telecom immunity provision -- supported by the flip-flopping presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama -- the company no longer has to worry about all those pesky lawsuits it faced for helping the Bush administration snoop on its unsuspecting customers.

Rolling Stone believes, as I speculated earlier, that Stevie Wonder is a likely name to appear for Obama.

There's still no official word whether Obama's acceptance speech at Invesco Field will be preceded by a big name music group. I'm betting there will be. Stay tuned.

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Hip-Hop Musical Guests During Democratic National Convention | 123 comments (123 topical)

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Not that I listen to this music, but is it not (5.00 / 1) (#11)
by oculus on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:50:21 AM EST

somewhat flip floppy to proclaim outrage over the New Yorker cover and then make these musical headliner choices?

There is a better word for it (none / 0) (#15)
by Cream City on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:52:00 AM EST

than "somewhat flip floppy," but I'm not going there.


Don't follow.... (none / 0) (#20)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:55:38 AM EST

what do the music acts have to do with the NY'er?

Are you talking about taking offense to Kanye West lyrics?


I don't know the lyrics to any (none / 0) (#21)
by oculus on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:57:19 AM EST

songs these musical acts may perform at the Dem Convention. Just an assumption on my part. Am I correct?


Asking the wrong guy.... (none / 0) (#26)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:03:09 PM EST

I can't think of a time I've taken offense to art.

Kanye did write "Gold Digger", which I would imagine many here would be up in arms about.

Now I ain't sayin' she a gold digger
But she ain't messin' with no broke niggas

: Or for that matter (none / 0) (#40)
by CST on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:36:37 PM EST

From another song, channeling Rev. Wright...
"I know the government administers AIDS"
or even better, from his Katrina concert
"George Bush doesn't care about black people"
Kanye is full of entertaining one-liners. I really hope he goes off-message at some point during the convention.

I really like Kanye West..... (none / 0) (#24)
by Maria Garcia on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:58:13 AM EST

...some of the stuff I listened to when I was younger, I have no standing to complain about what today's kids listen to.

And I'm a sentimental sucker for his song, Hey Momma. It really made me cry to listen to it after his mother died.


Well (none / 0) (#32)
by CST on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:21:33 PM EST

I would say that Kanye West, N.E.R.D., and Wyclef are about as P.C. as you can get for rap/hip-hop artists. I am not sure I follow your point about the New Yorker.


AT&T.... (5.00 / 1) (#16)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:52:05 AM EST

I believe AT&T also sponsored the FISA bill, so that makes sense.

Change... for a dollar? (none / 0) (#28)
by Exeter on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:10:39 PM EST

Hmm? (none / 0) (#39)
by jtaylorr on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:35:27 PM EST

Qualcomm, aka the company that DIDN'T allow the gov't to use it's networks, is doing all the communication stuff for the Republican convention.

It's not some nefarious backroom dealing; it's business.


: Actually (none / 0) (#44)
by Steve M on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:40:20 PM EST

I think you are messing up Qwest and Qualcomm.
There's certainly an interconnection between business and politics, in that the corporations that do the most to help out the Republicans are likely to land the lucrative vendor contracts.

: Business and.... (none / 0) (#52)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:54:40 PM EST

nefarious backroom dealing often go hand in hand...the more zeroes at the end of the deal, the more likely the dealings are nefarious.

Yes (none / 0) (#67)
by squeaky on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:22:37 PM EST

I hear that there are now going to be adverts in the senate and house, like NASCAR. Great idea to help with the deficit.


Do you think (5.00 / 1) (#68)
by Steve M on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:23:25 PM EST

they could get the Senators to wear outfits plastered with all those logos, like the drivers do?


Yes (none / 0) (#70)
by squeaky on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:31:27 PM EST

Another great idea to balance the budget. McSame has just spoken about this new partnership. He may have to register as a foreign lobbyist because of his wife's relationship to Anheuser Busch which is now owned by the Belgians. I am sure he doesn't want the same trouble as is campaign manager Tom Ridge recently had.


Maybe they could just start (none / 0) (#98)
by Grace on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 04:44:10 PM EST

selling off advertising opportunities on our National monuments like "AT&T's Washington Monument" and "Staples White House"?

How about "American Airlines Grand Canyon"?

This might be an excellent way to get rid of the deficit without taxing anyone.


Well (none / 0) (#100)
by Steve M on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 04:46:54 PM EST

I'm okay with that, but I hope the Washington Monument doesn't end up as a Viagra ad.


: I think Mount St. Helens might (none / 0) (#104)
by Grace on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 05:11:49 PM EST

be better for Viagra...
On second thought, that Washington Monument sure is tall... Or how about the Space Needle?

Ah, the grumblings... (5.00 / 1) (#25)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:02:08 PM EST

...of the "you kids get off my lawn" crowd. Very amusing.

Lol..... (5.00 / 1) (#27)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:09:20 PM EST

How quick people forget, eh Mile?

I'd bet some of these same folks were glued to the tv watching that subversive sex deviant Elvis back in the day:)


Or those filthy... (5.00 / 1) (#30)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:16:22 PM EST

...commie hippies the Beatles.

I hear Styx is playing at the RNC--perhaps some here would feel more at home in St. Paul.

Not me--I'm the old guy standing at the back of the theatre enjoying the new music.


Coincidence.... (5.00 / 1) (#35)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:25:12 PM EST

I'm one of the younger guys watchin' the old timers who are still groovin'.

50 years old, 5 weeks old...either it got soul or it don't.


Somebody's... (none / 0) (#41)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:38:10 PM EST

...got to show these kids how to really rock, eh my friend?

Age ain't nothing but a number. And your soul knows no age.


Amen to that.... (none / 0) (#50)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:47:56 PM EST

nuttin' but a number.

I am extremely jealous of the music your generation got to witness firsthand...you came of age in the golden age of American music...a true blessing.


My Generation? (none / 0) (#54)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:55:46 PM EST

Dude, I'm three years younger than you! Although, I was lucky enough to have older sibling that exposed me to a lot of stuff when I was but a wee lad.


Seriously? (none / 0) (#61)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:09:27 PM EST

I always pictured you as somewhere around 40-60...apologies my man.

But like we said...who cares eh?


Well... (none / 0) (#72)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:42:31 PM EST

...I read your "50 years old" comment wrong. Your estimate is pretty well spot on--I'm almost in the middle of that range.

Let's just say that my Mom voted for Kennedy in the hospital two days after giving birth to me...


Gotcha.... (none / 0) (#73)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:45:09 PM EST

I turned 31 this year, perpetually going on 19:)


I'm really surprised! (5.00 / 1) (#84)
by misspeach2008 on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 03:00:02 PM EST

Every time I read a K-Dog comment I picture an aging hippie-type around 60 sitting out in front of a beach hut in his Hawaiian shirt with his laptop resting on his knees. His surfboard is leaning up against the side of the hut all waxed and ready to go, but his knees are too arthritic to hang ten anymore. You certainly have the attitude down. I'll have to revise the mental picture. ;^)


great comment (none / 0) (#85)
by Jeralyn on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 03:02:31 PM EST

perfect imagery, and funny.


You're not as far off as you think.... (none / 0) (#87)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 03:08:27 PM EST

scratch the age and the athritis, change the surfboard to a skateboard, the beach hut to a flop house, tand the laptop to an old HP running on fumes (Windows 98) and you're there:)


Can I add (none / 0) (#89)
by CST on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 03:10:55 PM EST

Long hair and a bong to that mental image?


: Yes on the bong.... (none / 0) (#91)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 03:18:55 PM EST

negative on the long hair...I'm a clean-cut degenerate:)

Haha (none / 0) (#55)
by CST on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:57:43 PM EST

I once got into a fight with my mother about hip-hop, she thinks it's all terrible. Later that day I started singing Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, and my mom said "I can't believe you're defending this stuff".

Priceless.


Anyone who says.... (none / 0) (#59)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:07:10 PM EST

"it's all terrible" hasn't been listening.

The same applies to any genre....when I was a teenager it was common to hear "I like everything but country music", then I'd say "even Johnny Cash?" and they'd say "Who?"


Ain't that the truth (none / 0) (#75)
by CST on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:59:46 PM EST

I just thought it was funny that she thought Queen was hip-hop.

Although to be honest, I used to be one of those "everything but country" people. I think the Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, and Shania Twain removed some of that stigma though.

Johnny Cash rocks, but I didn't know who he was till long after I stopped saying that.


That is funny.... (none / 0) (#77)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 02:19:39 PM EST

my older brother was a huge Queen fan....I must have heard the 45 single of "Fat Bottomed Girls/Bicycle" 5000 times...my brother wore the grooves off that record.


The cover art.... (none / 0) (#79)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 02:28:18 PM EST

...for that album was quite scandelous back in the day as I recall. Naked women and all...


Oh... (none / 0) (#83)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 02:59:34 PM EST

... and thanks a lot for giving me that ear worm!

"Hey I was just a skinny lad
Never knew no good from bad"

Ah, it's like '78 all over again.


: I did it to myself as well.... (none / 0) (#88)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 03:09:42 PM EST

and they do make the world go 'round...Freddie nailed that one:)

Speaking of Judy Collins, (5.00 / 0) (#43)
by brodie on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:39:47 PM EST

I do hope TeamO and the DNC are not going to overlook some of the old-time greats, the ones still around and able to deliver the goods that is.

He still needs to work on the over-50 segment, particularly the wimmunfolk and the older Baby Boomers generally, and so balancing the more contemporary hip-hop ... stuff (cough, cough) with some of the more classic pop/rock (real good) music probably would be well advised.

Judy Collins is just fine with us. Ditto for Joni Mitchell, if she's available and not hiding out in the Canadian wilderness, as usual. Paul Simon. CSN&Y.

Steveland Wonder is also acceptable.

Some of us (3.50 / 2) (#106)
by sher on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 05:32:04 PM EST

over 50 are Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins fans as well as fans of Kanye West and younger artists


Paul Simon (none / 0) (#46)
by Steve M on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:42:06 PM EST

will do it for free, I hear, if you let him play those Capeman songs.


Well, I had in mind (none / 0) (#60)
by brodie on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:08:29 PM EST

Paul strumming some of his tunes which can have some political benefit, like "America", which has an overall sorta patriotic flavor, and a few lines dealing with Saganaw, which is in MI if I'm not mistaken. A key state Dems must have.

Then he could sing "My Little Town" -- helps with the WWC and rural types. They could bring out John Edwards for a duet at that point.

We've got to get still more WWC voters, and so it's necessary for him to entertain the folks with yet another song, "Graceland", which also gets you help in a potential Dem border state pickup, TN, while it also helps with your basic Elvis WWC type.


he can sum up this election... (none / 0) (#62)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:10:45 PM EST

with just one of his potic lines...

"Everyway you look at this you lose"


Sorry, kdog, it ain't 1968 (none / 0) (#69)
by brodie on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:25:55 PM EST

no more. That truly was a dispiriting choice people had in the GE back then, Tricky or Hubert. And, Joltin' Joe has truly left and gone away -- hey hey hey ...

Nah, I think Simon would also do well to pull out another patriotic song, "American Tune" which features these relevant lines for today:

"I don't know a dream that's not been shattered, or driven to it's knees ... Still when I think of the road we're travelling on, I wonder what's gone wrong -- I can't help it I wonder, what's gone wrong ..."


: I can't compare... (none / 0) (#71)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:37:07 PM EST

because I was still but a glimmer in my parents' eye in '68, but the Obama/McCain ( or Clinton/McCain, or Obama/Romney, or Cinton/Guiliani) are all "everyway you look at this you lose" choices for the issues that matter to me most.

I love NERD (5.00 / 1) (#76)
by Little Fish on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 02:13:44 PM EST

Their latest album is great. Not for everyone, but if you like that genre its worth checking out.

I love Kanye too. Good choices!

BTW I'd totally pay to see Congress doin' the Soulja Boy.

what about (5.00 / 1) (#86)
by Jeralyn on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 03:06:23 PM EST

LL Cool J with a message to McCain: I'm Gonna Knock You Out

: GREAT TRACK!!! (none / 0) (#107)
by DFLer on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 05:47:42 PM EST

Hmmm (none / 0) (#1)
by cmugirl on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:37:37 AM EST

Now I'm DEFINITELY not going to watch.

: these are for the parties (none / 0) (#2)
by Jeralyn on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:38:29 AM EST

not the convention itself. Those groups haven't yet been announced.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't (none / 0) (#3)
by oculus on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:39:19 AM EST

the majority of the delegates and hangers-on likely to enjoy a different type of music?

Oh, please spare us all (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by Cream City on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:50:54 AM EST

from tv coverage of this -- the sight of middle-aged delegates in funny red-white-and-blue hats attempting to sway and even dance to hip-hop. A favorite avocation of my progeny and much of their generation is to mock their parents' dancing. And we deserve it for even attempting to do the jerk, the frug, and the freddy now, since they were not attractive even when we were. :-)


My 19-year -old son would give anything.... (none / 0) (#5)
by Maria Garcia on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:43:59 AM EST

...to be at those events.


Does he support Obama? (none / 0) (#8)
by oculus on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:48:44 AM EST

: Absolutely. (none / 0) (#18)
by Maria Garcia on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:54:04 AM EST

Too bad Frank Sinatra is no longer with us. (none / 0) (#4)
by Angel on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:40:15 AM EST

Perhaps he could have been a draw for the over-20 crowd that Obama needs.... It's highly unlike many of them will be wanting to hear Kayne West, Wyclef Jean and NERD.

Haven't you heard? (none / 0) (#6)
by cmugirl on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:45:14 AM EST

He DOESN'T need all those old bitter women (and men). I think his new campaign slogan should be "Don't trust anyone over 30!"


I'm over 30.... (none / 0) (#14)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:51:21 AM EST

and I don't trust anyone over 30:)

Kanye and NERD are relatively new acts, but Wycleff has been around since the early 90's.


I'm WAY over 30 ... (5.00 / 2) (#34)
by TChris on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:24:05 PM EST

and I think Kanye West's "Graduation" is one of the best CD's I've listened to in years. This song is worth a listen if you're not familiar with his work.


: Thanks for the info. I, of course, didn't (none / 0) (#101)
by oculus on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 04:58:43 PM EST

realize Kanye West is male.

This will certainly lend itself to the... (none / 0) (#7)
by EL seattle on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:48:20 AM EST

..."Obamapalooza" catch phrase that some on the right might use to paint Obama and his younger supporters as a shallow celebrity phenomena and not a long term political force.

Okay - first off, the author of the WaPo (none / 0) (#9)
by Anne on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:50:07 AM EST

article gets points off for using the term "coronating;" I think the term she is looking for is "crowning." Sorry - really hate that sort of thing.

Second, if I were in Denver, I'm sure it would be great fun to run into the Hollywood glitterati, or have the chance to see some of the musical performers at the parties, but for those of us at home, it's kind of a ho-hum moment.

Finally, I read somewhere that a lot of the local Denver businesses and contractors are not getting the amount of business out of this convention that they expected to - any rumbling out there that you have heard, Jeralyn?

Today they announced (none / 0) (#125)
by echinopsia on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 12:46:40 AM EST

the street and light rail closures for the convention.

I am not pleased. It makes zero sense. The delegates will be shuttled around on buses, but they also get an RTD pass for the duration. What sense does it make to then shut down the Pepsi Center and Union Station light rail stops? Why should Denver residents who use public transportation be inconvenienced like this when it's supposed to be a "green" convention?


You do know... (none / 0) (#129)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 08:24:40 AM EST

...that it is the Secret Service who have the ultimate say on what gets closed, right?

I don't think the closures are unreasonable at all. LR will still be running into downtown. Not that many people ride to Union Station or the Pepsi Center on a daily basis anyway. Credentialed delegates can ride the LR to the Can...

'Vidal said the trains would continue to Pepsi Center, the next station, but only after security sweeps them to make sure only credentialed convention attendees remain on board.

"You can stay on the train if you're a delegate," Vidal said. "We're only taking the people off who don't have the credentials to go on the train."'

Closing I-25 is going to be a nightmare, but it appears that will only happen the one day.


: As someone who lives very close to Boston, (none / 0) (#131)
by misspeach2008 on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 08:58:08 AM EST

I can only say that the people of Denver have my condolences. It was a nightmare commuting into the city during the 2004 convention. Many of the city restaurants lost money because those of us who usually take lunch out somewhere brown-bagged it to avoid trying to travel around the city.

Back in college (none / 0) (#10)
by Steve M on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:50:19 AM EST

one of my favorite albums was "Fear of a Black Planet." Just sayin.

I'll need a few details to understand (none / 0) (#13)
by oculus on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:51:06 AM EST

that comment.


My sense is (none / 0) (#42)
by Steve M on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:38:14 PM EST

that some folks are still fearful. Chuck D knew whereof he spoke.


If you implant a link, I'll listen up (none / 0) (#102)
by oculus on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 05:00:15 PM EST

at home.


Heh (none / 0) (#105)
by Steve M on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 05:14:47 PM EST

Somewhere in the storage closet, I have a box full of cassette tapes...


Oh well. (none / 0) (#108)
by oculus on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 05:51:23 PM EST

Warning: anecdote. My daughter, who was in school on the East Coast and was choreographing, said the music for her piece would be hip hop. I sd., what's hip hop? She sd., a type of dance. Bottom line: I wouldn't know a hip hop song if it tripped on me!


Just for you oculus.... (none / 0) (#111)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 06:10:50 PM EST

since your a National League Woman (heartbreaker last night...freakin' Wagner:)

Public Enemy


: It was a heartbreaker, although (none / 0) (#112)
by oculus on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 06:13:41 PM EST

I am reliefed it wasn't our Trevor Hoffman in the hot seat this time. But, how does one explain the AL throwing out 5 baserunners to the NL thowing out 1? I thought it was just the Padres.

Chuck D - Public Enemy (none / 0) (#109)
by DFLer on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 05:58:36 PM EST

Chuck D is quite a force - old school hiphop with a strong political message.

Check out:

Fight the Power

and

Burn Hollywood Burn


but then (none / 0) (#118)
by CHDmom on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 06:34:59 PM EST

you have Flavor Flav what a mess he turned out to be. YES I did watch both seasons, (don't tell anyone)


: yes, what a horrible show - paying the bills? (none / 0) (#120)
by DFLer on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 06:57:47 PM EST

but then again, that series about his relationship with Brigit Neilson were strangely, somehow quite poignant. (oops...evidence of watching...don't tell anyone!)

Good taste my man.... (none / 0) (#33)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:21:48 PM EST

Classic album.

Welcome to the Terrordome!

Get down, get down


Hmm. Big presence of ATT plus (none / 0) (#17)
by MsExPat on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:53:21 AM EST

Obama's--and Pelosi's-- FISA position.

Coincidence?

kdog and I (none / 0) (#19)
by MsExPat on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:54:24 AM EST

are buddies in the Psychic Friends Network


: Yeah expat.... (none / 0) (#22)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:57:23 AM EST

or some comments simply write themselves:)

Who's got the IT (none / 0) (#23)
by oldpro on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 11:58:12 AM EST

security contract?

Whatever is Obama going to do for the GE? (none / 0) (#36)
by Valhalla on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:30:51 PM EST

There aren't enough famous bands in the U.S. to place them at every polling place.

I think the best thing the Repubs could do for themselves is to start a viral around the end of October that the GE votes are by txt msg only this year. Buy up some 800 numbers, run 'em across the bottom of American Idol a coupla times and voila! There goes the entire GOTV youth effort for Obama.

Oh, Steve! I've already purchased my tickets (none / 0) (#48)
by Angel on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:43:53 PM EST

to Judy's show in March 2009! Really. She does a beautiful concert. But she's a Clinton fan. They named Chelsea for Judy's song Chelsea Morning.

Heh (5.00 / 0) (#53)
by Steve M on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:55:21 PM EST

I always liked "Both Sides Now."

Carly Simon is another one I tease my folks about. But I have to admit, she has a couple of catchy songs too!

Time marches on, and someday kids will be saying "Kanye West? That's old-people music!"


Telling my age here, but my car radio is set to (none / 0) (#57)
by Angel on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:04:32 PM EST

Movin' Easy on the Sirius satellite channel! Lots of Judy Collins, Carly Simon, James Taylor, The Beatles, Chicago, Beach Boys, Johnny Rivers (ah! what a sexy guy), and that kind of thing. I'm perfectly happy living in my own little musical world.


Carly Simon also (none / 0) (#63)
by brodie on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:16:20 PM EST

strikes me as someone who probably was for Hillary in the primaries. Again, not a bad idea to bring some of these HRC backers out for a few tunes and hopefully to give any remaining Hillary holdouts a good public tongue-lashing for sitting on their hands and allowing the Repubs to win/steal another one.

James Taylor is okay. Carole King even better.

Johnny Rivers can hopefully ramp up the amplifiers and crank out his hit, Secret Agent Man, one of the tunes from the mid-60s that's still cool, imo. Vy underrated, JR.


: I love Carly (none / 0) (#103)
by Valhalla on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 05:09:30 PM EST

but even if she didn't sing it, "You're So Vain" is so famous, I don't think they'd risk going there...

Don't mix up Mitchell with Collins (none / 0) (#115)
by DFLer on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 06:21:13 PM EST

Joanie Mitchell wrote (and recorded) Chelsea Morning and Both Sides Now.

Angel: "they" do say that the Clintons named Chelsea after Judy Collins's recording of that song.

Judy is a wonderful singer and performer, but to me Joanie Mitchell is a truly deep artist. Check out PBS American Masters chapter on Mitchell. Also, listen to some of her later albums, like Turbulent Indigo (94) and Taming the Tiger (98)


So much the better (none / 0) (#56)
by brodie on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:00:05 PM EST

then. Judy can help bring back more of those disgruntled Clinton diehards and add to the Unity theme of the evening.

And it's nifty that too that she has that song in her reportoire which references the Mile High State (or whatever the nickname is for CO, I don't have that one). That song about the boyfriend who loves his [darned] old rodeo, and has just come in from southern Colorado. Oh, got it -- Some Day Soon. A classic.


: Mile High City... (none / 0) (#64)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:16:50 PM EST

...and Centennial State. Maybe places in Colorado are over two miles high.

"Chelsea Morning" is... (none / 0) (#110)
by shoephone on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 06:09:02 PM EST

a Joni Mitchell song.


Joni Mitchell wrote the song but Judy Collins (none / 0) (#113)
by Angel on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 06:14:34 PM EST

released the single.


: Mitchell released it just before Collins did, (none / 0) (#116)
by DFLer on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 06:22:27 PM EST

in the same year...on an album.

I'll be crossing my fingers (none / 0) (#49)
by trublueCO on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:47:36 PM EST

for Rage Against the Machine to crash the convention. Something tells me that there will be no corporate parties or invitations inside the Pepsi Center for those guys!

That would be sweet.... (none / 0) (#51)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 12:52:02 PM EST

Are they back together? I though Zach was doing the solo thing and the rest of the group formed AudioSlave with Chris Cornell?


: I had the pleasure once... (none / 0) (#117)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 06:26:17 PM EST

man that was a hairy show...I remember people ripping their seats out and tossin' em around the theater...literally.

As one who is old enough to have been able to (none / 0) (#58)
by vicndabx on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:07:00 PM EST

appreciate this music when the genre first started back in the late 70's, I must say I'm glad to see hip-hop come such a long way and to now be considered "mainstream." Although the headliner at the convention leaves something to be desired..... :-)

According to the RS article... (none / 0) (#66)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:20:14 PM EST

"If Obama's iPod has a say in who performs, we expect Stevie Wonder and Wilco to be added to the bill any day now."

I'd love to see Wilco. Not quite as good as Uncle Tupelo, but still.

Shawn Carter and Beyonce (none / 0) (#74)
by gram cracker on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 01:56:46 PM EST

Surprised no one here has mentioned the most appropriate musical guests to perform at the Democratic National Coronation, ups I mean, Convention, Jay-Z and Beyonce.

Obama can use the occasion to once again appear presidential and "brush off" his "99 problems" of the primary season.

I'm getting tired.... (5.00 / 1) (#80)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 02:31:14 PM EST

of this constant harping on "Dirt off your Shoulder" as somehow sexist.

From the chorus of the track...

If you feelin like a pimp nigga, go and brush your shoulders off
Ladies is pimps too, go and brush your shoulders off

If you ask me that's promoting gender equality..."Ladies is pimps too".

And "99 Problems" is a monster track...love this verse, as it applies to criminal justice issues we discuss often.

The year is '94 and in my trunk is raw
In my rear view mirror is the mother f*cking law
I got two choices yall pull over the car or
bounce on the double put the pedal to the floor
Now I ain't trying to see no highway chase with jake
Plus I got a few dollars I can fight the case
So I...pull over to the side of the road
And I heard "Son do you know why I'm stopping you for?"
Cause I'm young and I'm black and my hats real low
Do I look like a mind reader sir, I don't know
Am I under arrest or should I guess some mo?
"Well you was doing fifty five in a fifty four"
"License and registration and step out of the car"
"Are you carrying a weapon on you I know alot of you are"
I ain't stepping out of sh*t all my papers legit
"Do you mind if I look round the car a little bit?"
Well my glove compartment is locked so is the trunk and the back
And I know my rights so you gon' need a warrent for that
"Aren't you sharp as a tack are some type of lawyer or something?"
"Or somebody important or something?"
Nah I ain't pass the bar but I know a little bit
Enough that you won't illegally search my sh*t
"Well see how smart you are when the K-9's come"
I got 99 problems but a b*tch ain't one
Hit me

Exit soapbox...


It wasn't sexist, it was rude. It was a very (5.00 / 1) (#81)
by Angel on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 02:38:18 PM EST

demeaning gesture to someone of Hillary's stature. It showed a total lack of respect for Hillary, that was the big problem. And it showed a considerable lack of class on Obama's part.


Hillary? (none / 0) (#122)
by Alien Abductee on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 07:25:28 PM EST

It wasn't about Hillary. It was about brushing off a setback.

It was about having to deal with the same old gotcha nonsense when you'd rather talk about issues, because that's the stupidity the media keeps pushing as appropriate political discourse.

I know Hillary supporters read it the way you say, but I'd just like to let you know that wasn't the way Obama supporters took it. At least not this one.


Well, sweetie (none / 0) (#126)
by echinopsia on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 12:59:32 AM EST

I didn't think "fairy tale" was racist, so I guess we're even.


: I didn't think it was either (none / 0) (#128)
by Alien Abductee on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 01:51:19 AM EST

so I guess we're still not even, if you're dead set on keeping score.

Amen (none / 0) (#82)
by CST on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 02:44:05 PM EST

Probably my all-time favorite Jay-Z verse.


: Mine too.... (none / 0) (#93)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 03:29:13 PM EST

the Rick Rubin beat is killer, and the video is great too.
It pops into my head like clockwork whenever I see flashing lights out on the roads.

So sorry you are so tired. (none / 0) (#90)
by gram cracker on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 03:15:35 PM EST

When and where has Obama's "dirt off your shoulder" brush off been "constantly harped on"? Here at TalkLeft?

Who said anything about sexist? Oh, that would be you.

Obama claims to have Jay-Z and Beyonce on his ipod. Seems logical to wonder why they weren't mentioned in a thread speculating about potential musical performers.


: yes... (none / 0) (#92)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 03:27:28 PM EST

here at talkleft, I've had that on my chest for awhile, people always dropping the "dirt of your shoulder" bit...I just wonder if they ever heard the song or read the lyrics, thought I'd share them.
Not directed at you personally at all gram...I apologize.

Personally...I think that disgusting. (none / 0) (#95)
by MichaelGale on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 03:46:46 PM EST

It's even more disgusting that you think it so 'cute".


Disgusting (5.00 / 1) (#97)
by jondee on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 04:05:16 PM EST

outrageous, demeaning etc etc

Why does that line about straining at gnats and swallowing camels keep popping into my head?

Disgusting is accepting "bad intelligence" because you dont have the effing guts to stand up to the people pushing it.


Disgusting.... (5.00 / 1) (#114)
by kdog on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 06:15:02 PM EST

how is a rap about the 4th amendment disgusting? Care to elaborate?


Cognitive dissonance (none / 0) (#127)
by echinopsia on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 01:01:51 AM EST

it's about the 4th amendment, huh?

You know who recently declined to stand up for the 4th amendment?


: Jay Z? (5.00 / 1) (#130)
by CST on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 08:50:39 AM EST

:) Sorry I couldn't help myself. But I think you are comparing apples to oranges here. Kdog is hardly an Obama stumper.

: yeah... (5.00 / 1) (#132)
by kdog on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:38:32 AM EST

If you can train your one-track eyes to look beyond the b word...you will see that's exactly what the verse from "99 Problems" is about...the 4th amendment and police harassment.
And yes, Barack Obama and John McCain don't give a sh*t about the 4th amendment...Jay-Z apparently does, if you judge by his art.

Hmm (none / 0) (#78)
by lilburro on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 02:20:24 PM EST

do they have to be American? I can imagine Bjork performing...but she would probably upstage any candidate from now until the end of time :-)

Colorado State football (none / 0) (#94)
by MichaelGale on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 03:34:29 PM EST

conflict with Obama.

Was talking to a woman from Denver last week while at a conference in Phoenix. Says she is angry and is leaving town for the convention. Stated that she thought it frustrating that Obama would be at Invesco 2 nights before the big Colorado State game and she and her friends wonder how they will get the place ready in less than two days. Says the city is going to pay for extra police and guards for all the people who will be at the convention and are trying to decide how to do security searches for all expected and the city still does not know what to do with all the protesters expected. She was clearly angry and I am sure is not an Obama supporter.

Gosh... (none / 0) (#96)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 04:00:33 PM EST

...maybe the same way the change back to a football set-up from a concert one now?

This is not rediscovering fire or gravity, it happens all the time. The crew at Invesco is pretty good at it. Two days is more than enough time to get the job done.

And, it's the big Colorado v. Colorado State game.


2 days (none / 0) (#119)
by CHDmom on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 06:47:52 PM EST

Have you ever worked after a concert at a stadium? 2 days is not plenty of time to tear everything down, especially if it is a grass field that has to be coverred by the ground cover ect.


It appears that some (none / 0) (#121)
by MichaelGale on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 07:04:10 PM EST

Denver residents are not as knowledgeable as you in re to tearing down and setting up. Of course, it's their city too and if they want to express their frustrations and leave town, it's their business.

: Indeed... (none / 0) (#123)
by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 07:43:39 PM EST

...more power to them if they can get out of town for the week.
As to the increased taxes, et al., that is speculation and I won't comment on that.
Some people just like something to gripe about. Your friend doesn't speak for all of us. I actually live and work downtown and I'm looking forward to it.
And I certainly don't appreciate people trying to portraying us as a bunch of rubes who don't have any idea how to handle something like this.