MTV interviewed Ludacris just a few weeks before yesterday’s “self-preservation cold shoulder” and Luda talked about his longstanding friendship with the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate and soon-to-be-former-homie.

“I’d known about him for a long time,” ‘Cris recently told MTV while filming a segment for Mixtape Monday in Atlanta. “I heard about his skills when he was doing his thing in Chicago. I definitely heard some rumors that he was going to run. But I just wanted to feel his vibe, man. He’s real down-to-earth, his energy is great. He’s just an honest dude, and he’s all about change. I’m all for change. I’m just pro-Obama. I don’t think there’s anybody better who can be put in that office right now besides that man.”

And here was Obama’s reference to Luda in Rolling Stone magazine.

What are you listening to now? What’s on your iPod? When I was in high school, probably my sophomore or junior year, I started getting into jazz. So I’ve got a lot of Coltrane, a lot of Miles Davis, a lot of Charlie Parker. I’ve got all the artists we’ve already talked about, but I’ve got everything from Howlin’ Wolf to Yo-Yo Ma to Sheryl Crow to Jay-Z.

What do you think of rap? Has it been unfairly attacked for destroying family values?
By definition, rock & roll is rebel music, which means if it’s not being criticized, it’s probably not doing its job. I am troubled sometimes by the misogyny and materialism of a lot of rap lyrics, but I think the genius of the art form has shifted the culture and helped to desegregate music. Music was very segregated back in the Seventies and Eighties — you’ll remember that when MTV first came on, it wasn’t until Thriller that they played Michael.

I know Jay-Z. I know Ludacris. I know Russell Simmons. I know a bunch of these guys. They are great talents and great businessmen, which is something that doesn’t get emphasized enough. It would be nice if I could have my daughters listen to their music without me worrying that they were getting bad images of themselves.

In related news….

Many folks are lining up to denounce Luda’s verse, from former Clinton advisors, to Black conservatives.

The bad thing is….all these folks probably never heard the other hip hop Obama tributes which didnt have any of the juicy candidate bashing…..Like Nas’ “Black President” song, or even Tyga’s simplistic “Obama Obama” freestyle.

After the jump, the full lyrics of Luda’s “Politics”

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!

Sidenote:

also from the RS article….
When you were at the Rolling Stone cover shoot, they were playing the Grateful Dead, and you recognized the music right off.
Those guys did a concert for me during the primary — they got back together again. And not only do I enjoy the music, but I just like them as people.

Are we going to have a Deadhead in the White House?
I’m not sure I fully qualify as a Deadhead — I don’t wear tie-dye and I’ve never followed them around anywhere. But I enjoy the songs.

That “Aiko Aiko”…..that’s the devil’s lullaby isnt it? No daughters should listen to these old men with their excessive facial hair and their mary jane endorsements.