Obama rolls out national security team

Clinton nominated to Obama's national security team
President-Elect Obama rolled out his national security team picks this morning in a press conference. There were no surprises being that all that were named had been previously speculated. Obama named Sen. Hillary Clinton as secretary of state, retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones as his national security adviser, Eric Holder as attorney general, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as homeland security secretary and Susan Rice as ambassador to the United Nations. Watching President-Elect Obama and his new national security team, I personally couldn't help but observe a reserved confidence amongst them. But does is stop at a display of confidence or will this team of rivals actually be able to work together and get things done? Obama stated that while his team shares a common vision on national security, they will disagree and he welcomes the differences of opinion, but that ultimately "the buck stops with me." Read President-Elect Obama's entire remarks here.

Obama's National Security Team

Monday morning at 10:40 am President-Elect Obama is scheduled to introduce his national security team. His rumored picks have created a lot of buzz due to the fact that some we have known in Washington for a while, in a sense contradicting Obama's campaign rhetoric of change, and most have opposing views to those of Obama on national security. In addition, since Obama is trying to do the Abe Lincoln thing, these are pretty much his rivals. These picks consist of Hilary Clinton as Secretary of State, retired marine general Jim Jones as National Security Adviser, and current Defense Secretary Robert Gates would maintain his position. Obama says his position of change has not changed, stating:

What we are going to do is combine experience with fresh thinking. But understand where the vision for change comes from first and foremost, it comes from me. Thats my job. To provide a vision in terms of where we are going and to make sure that my team is implementing.

I feel that Obama is attempting to balance experience with change. What do you think?

Kanye West-"Heartless" video

DJ Khaled feat. Kanye & T-Pain-"Go Hard" video

Common-"Universal Mind Control (U.M.C.)" video

Obama appoints Emanuel chief of staff

Representative Rahm Emanuel has accepted president elect Barack Obama's offer to serve as White House chief of staff. Emanuel previously worked on President Clinton's first presidential campaign and served as a White House adviser to Clinton. In a written statement Obama states:

"I announce this appointment first because the chief of staff is central to the ability of a president and administration to accomplish an agenda. And no one I know is better at getting things done than Rahm Emanuel."

See the entire story here. Also, see the possible appointees to Obama's administration here.

Ludacris-One more drink feat. T-pain

Jadakiss-By my side feat. Ne-Yo

Q-tip album signing at Fat Beats in NYC

Q-tip makes an appearance at Fat Beats in New York City for a signing of his new album "The Renaissance." Q-tip is joined by actor Michael Rapaport who was filming for his documentary on hip hop group A tribe Called Quest. The documentary is being produced by Nas.

44th President of the United States

After Senator Barack Obama is declared the winner of the 2008 presidential election, he speaks to a crowd of over 125,000 people in Chicago's Grant Park. See the video of his speech below.

New Music Tuesdays

Ludacris and DJ Drama release a new mixtape entitled "The Preview."











Former A Tribe Called Quest rapper, Q-Tip, releases his solo album "The Renaissance."

Obama, Biden, & Clinton families casts their vote!

Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama starts this historical election day by casting his vote along side his wife Michelle and his daughters Sasha and Malia. Obama stated to reporters:

"I feel great and it was fun, I had a chance to vote with my daughters ... I feel really good."

When asked did he feel sentimental, Obama said:

"You know I'm sure I will tonight, that's when polls close," he said. "The journey ends, but voting with my daughters, that was a big deal."

Obama joked with reporters saying:

"Michelle took a long time" to vote. "I had to check to see who she was voting for."

Senator Hilliary Clinton and her husband former president Bill Clinton cast their votes in Chappaqua, New York and Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden casts his vote with his mother and wife in Wilmington, DE.

"Promote The Vote"

Diddy, Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Kevin Liles make an appearance at the "Promote The Vote" block party in Philadelphia, PA yesterday. View all of the pics here.

Fresh Music

What's up with all the tracks being "leaked" from Kanye's upcoming album?! Heres the 3rd and 4th "leaked" tracks from "808's and Heart Break." Album in stores November 25th.

"Coldest Winter"


"Robocop"

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There have been many pro Obama songs coming out of hip hop lately, but not many anti or even skeptical Obama songs. Dead Prez decided to help fill this void with the "street single" from their upcoming album "Information Age."

"PolitricKKKs"

Dr. Cornel West on election

Another thought provoking conversation with Dr. Cornel West. This time on the subject of the presidential election.

New music from MOS DEF

D.L. Hughley's new CNN show criticized by some

CNN has partnered with comedian D.L Hughley to produce his new show entitled "D.L. Hughley Breaks the News." CNN explains the show's purpose by saying "After a week full of news, sometimes you just have to throw up your hands and laugh." However, not everyone finds the show to be funny, instead some view it as down right offensive. One instance some found offensive was a scene in which the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, or Freddie Mac, is depicted as a black pimp. Journalist Jimi Izrael stated

"This is someone’s white hipster doofus’ idea of post-racial humor in the New America: Chappelle Lite. The good folks at CNN think that any black person talking loud must be funny. They are mistaken.”

Paul porter, co-founder of Industry Ears said:

“television news is still stuck in a ‘Jim Crow’ state of mind.”

Finally, probably the shows most out spoken critic, Dr. Boyce Watkins had this to say:

"My good friend Roland Martin at CNN has never received the same respect as political caricatures like Nancy Grace and Glenn Beck. So, the most degrading thing CNN can do is to finally give an African American a show after he agrees to turn the stellar Obama presidential campaign into a minstrel show."

You can read the entire quotes here. Check out the videos of the Freddie Mac skit, as well as some of the show's interviews, and then finally Dr. Boyce Watkin's video comments. Did the show go to far, or are the criticisms overblown? Watch and comment!

Freddie "Mack"

Al Sharpton interview

Donna Brazile interview

Campaign party planners

Dr. Boyce Watkins on D.L.'s CNN show

Absolutely Hilarious!!!

Cornell West on Obama

Princeton University African American studies professor Dr. Cornel West appeared on a panel at Tavis Smiley Presents: State of Black America which aired on C-Span a couple of months ago. The discussion went towards Presidential candidate Barack Obama and his campaign. West stated that Obama is a very decent, brilliant, and charismatic man, but it was the source of his campaign's money and the people "in his ear" that we should be worried about. What do you think about what Dr. West had to say? Watch and comment!

Joe the Vice President

Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden gets noticeably irritated during an interview with Florida news anchor Barbara West. West proceeded to ask several questions that sounded as if they were written by the McCain campaign. West asked questions like aren't you "embarrassed" about Obama's "ties" to ACORN, how can Obama not be a "Marxist" with his "spread the wealth" philosophy, and a bunch of other foolish questions. Well Biden gave her an answer to all of her questions while posing some of his own like "are you joking?" and "is this a joke, or is that a real question?"

Fresh Music

Eminem is hard at work on his new album "Relapse." Here is just a freestyle sample to hold you over.
"Relapse (Freestyle)"



Kanye's second single from his album "808's & Heartbreak"
"Heartless"



Big Boi's new album was supposed to be released this month, but I'm guessing it was pushed back due to Big Boi's recent partnership with Coca-Cola's energy drink Full Throttle. Big Boi will be the spokesmodel for the relaunched drink in return for promotion of his album and sponsorship of concerts. Makes sense that they would need time to promote the album. Good Look. Here is another track from "Sir Luscious Left Foot: Son of Chico Dusty." I love this song and can't wait for the album.
"Dubbz"-feat. Backbone



Coldplay will soon be releasing an EP with 8 new tracks. Here is one of those tracks featuring Jay-Z
"Lost+"-feat. Jay-Z

Obama's reaction 2 Powell's endorsement

T-Pain to replace Katt Williams at Hip Hop Awards?!

Uhhh Huh....Well apparently T-pain will be hosting this years BET Hip Hop Awards in place of Katt Williams according to bet.com.  Katt Williams supposedly challenged T-pain to a break dancing contest wagering his hosting duties.  Well, T-pain accepted Katt's offer and won the competition (I pray they have a video of this).  Katt Williams felt the competition was unfair stating "you cant win a break dancing contest and use a vocoder." See the entire story here.  The 2008 BET HIP HOP AWARDS airs October 23 at 8:00pm ET/PT.  I wonder if T-pain will host using the vocoder.

Colin Powell endorses Obama

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press" today to announce his support for one of the presidential candidates.  And who will Powell be voting for come November 4th...Non other than the Hip Hop community's favorite candidate Barack Obama! Now as some of you may know, Powell is a self proclaimed Republican, so it was unclear on which side he'd stand, but it would seem that Obama's "ability to inspire" is blind to party title.  You can view the entire interview transcript here.  Does Powell's endorsement matter to you?  Have any undecideds finally made a choice due to this endorsement?  

Jay-Z for Obama