Q-tip participated in a pre-Super Tuesday Obama support rally in Connecticut today. He also sent me his endorsement statement.

Here’s an excerpt….

“…I have been blessed with the opportunity to be apart of a great American culture with the Hip Hop movement. The music that I created was inspired by fresh, new ideas in expression.  I have always strived to let that sentiment live in my music. Hip Hop continues to be a mighty voice for the disenfranchised, the disillusioned and poor. Senator Obama offers the best opportunities for all of us who fit these descriptions.  A large amount of us still remain unregistered to vote, and Barack Obama not only represents unification of our communities by his presidential platform but the ignition of the light that remains untouched by any political figure….”

Will.I.Am also proclaimed his support for Obama, by creatively re-fashioning speech audio into a celebrity-packed sing-a-long featuring Common, Scarlett Johansen, John Legend and others.

But I am not posting these because I’m trying to tell you to vote for Obama. If there were any hip-hop-related endorsements of interest for any other candidates (like  Lupe’s pro-Hillary Clinton vs Rhymefest pro-Obama blogathon) I’d post them as well. I am not publicly endorsing any candidate yet (and possibly never).

I am a bit worried…..that folks are making their political decision based on the endorsement or affiliation of an artist/celebrity that they like, without finding out enough about a candidate to make that same choice alone. In many cases, like Q-tip and Will.i.am and Oprah and Rhymefest, I can see that the celebrity endorser has taken the time and the effort to make an informed decision. But in other cases, I feel like some candidates are appealing to the fandom that is embedded in almost all American consumerism these days. (I want Angelina Jolie’s favorite tampons, please!) It reminds me of the last election, when there were all these voter registration drives, and Diddy sold those shirts, and Russell had that rally, and kids ditched school to see Jay-Z there. It was absurd.

It’s a hassle but just figure out who you like based on what they think/do/say about the issues that mean the most to you. Not based on what means most to your ipod. Not to your friends at work. Not to your facebook group. To the inside you.

Just my personal opinion.

Here’s the rest of Q-tip’s statement:

Obama for President

We are in the midst of a very important time in our history. The world is fixated on an American election for many obvious reasons.
Abroad, young Americans are dying in a poorly managed and ill-conceived war. America’s prestige as a moral leader has suffered as a result of a divisive approach to foreign policy. Unfair trade practices have resulted in the loss of countless jobs and toxic products for children have reached our shores.

Untold millions are unable to pay their mortgages and afford the cost of gas. Global warming and its effects are spreading at an unchecked pace, and special interests have frozen the nation©ˆs governance into inaction. Given this disturbing climate at home and abroad, it is imperative that we break out of old habits and politics as usual. It is time we endorse real change. This is why I endorse Senator Barack Obama for President.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to be apart of a great American culture with the Hip Hop movement. The music that I created was inspired by fresh, new ideas in expression.  I have always strived to let that sentiment live in my music. Hip Hop continues to be a mighty voice for the disenfranchised, the disillusioned and poor. Senator Obama offers the best opportunities for all of us who fit these descriptions.  A large amount of us still remain unregistered to vote, and Barack Obama not only represents unification of our communities by his presidential platform but the ignition of the light that remains untouched by any political figure.

Hip Hop culture was the product of the impoverished who found strength and solace in this music phenomenon. It is a transformational art form born of neighborhoods where crime and drugs were on the rise and self-esteem was sinking.  The education system was failing, and the odds were against us. But as a people, we persevered. I know about having true substance, new ideas and a desire for fundamental change like Senator Obama.  This is not an emotional decision, although I am moved by Obama’s American story. I am endorsing Barack Obama because I feel that we can benefit greatly from a leader that offers sound judgment and experience rooted in the lives of real people. We can change our economy.  We can change our health care.  We can change the course of the Iraq war. We can change our neighbor’s minds about nuclear weapons.  The only way we can have this renaissance is with the Senator from Illinois as President of the United States. We are on the brink of moving past our stigmas and preconceived thoughts to make a substantive decision for change… The change is Barack Obama. – Q Tip

To read his entire statement, click more….