Barack Obama Makes Another "Nothing" Statement

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Friday questioned the way some rappers talk about women in songs, saying the lyrics are similar to the derogatory language used by embattled radio host Don Imus.

I was wondering how Obama was going to tapdance his way into this controversy without getting his tu-tu in a bunch. Nice try Barry.

Rap lyrics are not similar to the comment made by Don Imus. They are not even close. I know this horse has been beaten many times over the course of the last week, but bear with me.

Don Imus made an "off-the-cuff" remark when he called the Rutger's women's basketball team "nappy headed ho's". Just like many talk show hosts, he was bantering with his crew when the comment was made. There was no script, there was no rehearsal, there was just a comment while reviewing a basketball game.

Don Imus has apologized. He has shown remorse. He stated that he is not a bad person, he just made a stupid comment. He has lost his job.

Now let's look at rap music. A lot of thought goes into writing a song. Each line must carry it's weight and each verse plays a vital role in the final product of the song. The lyrics to a rap song are memorized, rehearsed and then recorded. They are not "thoughts" created in a moment, they represent the image the rapper is trying to convey through his music.

On Wednesday of last week, Snoop Dogg said,

We are rappers that have these songs coming from our minds and our souls that are relevant to what we feel.

Don Imus' comment came off the tip of his tongue. Rapper's lyrics come from their minds and their souls.

Comparing the two is like comparing Barack Obama to Tom Delay.