Fox News has never had a longstanding rapport with the hip-hop community. From criticisms about Snoop Dogg to a direct verbal confrontation between Bill O'Reilly and Ludacris on television, Fox and rap go together like oil and water. So it is no surprise that another rapper has the right-leaning network up in arms. The surprise is who and why this particular rapper is drawing scathing criticisms.
The victim of Fox's wrath is Common. One of the most socially-conscious and least contentious rappers, Common has been invited to a poetry event held at the White House by Michelle Obama. Right-wingers have criticized both the rapper and the White House for what they believe is a poor choice. Pajamas Media, a conservative blog, has identified the lyrics of the rapper as "racially-tinged" and "misogynist."
It is funny how Fox News is quick to identify the lyrics of Common's music as racist and misogynistic, which have are more indicative of inner-city tribulations, but defend blatantly racist rhetoric from many tea party members and supporters. Common's music has been some of the most critically praised in hip hop and when his intelligence is questioned by someone like Tucker Carlson, it makes wonder who is the perpetrator of "racially-tinged...language." Although this is a music blog, there are instances in which music and politics butt heads and this here is one case.
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