50's Love Lockdown for Kanye

In a recent performance in Albany, New York, rapper 50 Cent took his beef with Kanye West to a whole notha level. 50 told the crowd to hold up their cell phones if they could record, because they'd want to record this "exclusive performance". From there, the drum beat/bassline from Kanye West's "Love Lockdown" came on and 50 entered into a rhythmic dance routine as he lip synched to the song. Finally the song was cut off and 50 joked "Y'all asleep?" Newsday blog reports that Kanye didn't have any response to the latest jab, and the beef seemed to be settled back in 2007 when Kanye's "Graduation" sales easily beat sales of 50's "Curtis" album. Meanwhile, Kanye West had the honor of performing at the Youth Inauguration Ball Tuesday night in honor of new President, Barack H. Obama. West was part of MTV's live show and his performance included a montage of various hits such as "Touch the Sky", his verse from Estelle's "American Boy", a verse from the smash hit "Stronger" and "Good Life". West also performed a changed-up version of "Heartless" which payed tribute to the civil rights struggle and the new President Obama. West had the following to say as he closed out his set on stage: "It feels so good to be standing here ... My mom would be so proud right now, to see her baby boy performing the #1 song in the country for our new African-American president," he said during an instrumental break in "Heartless," the latest single from his 808s & Heartbreak album. "Being that she got arrested for being involved in the sit-ins at age 6, and my grandfather drove the first car in the marches out of Oklahoma, to see this day ..." More about Kanye's performance at the Inauguration Ball at MTV.com.

Barack's Bash features Jay-Z, Beyonce

January 20th, 2009 saw the United States' first ever African American president take office with the swearing in of Barack H. Obama. The historic inauguration ceremony was attended by hundreds of thousands, and full of celebration. Various celebrations were shown worldwide in schools, churches and other gatherings across the United States. Tuesday night the festivities continued in DC with a star-studded lineup at Barack Obama's "Neighborhood Ball: Inauguration". The party featured talents such as Nick Cannon hosting, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys and Beyonce singing. Various celebs dropped by as well to express their congrats and emcee including Ray Romano and Jamie Foxx. Oscar award-winning actor Denzel Washington had the honor of introducing President Barack Obama and first lady Michele Obama at the Ball. R&B diva Beyonce Knowles sang for the couple as they shared their first dance since taking office. Beyonce sang the Etta James classic "At Last" while Barack and Michele slow danced on stage underneath the spotlight. Jay-Z performed his unreleased tribute to Obama entitled "History" which is scheduled to be on his upcoming "The Blueprint 3" album. Mariah, Shakira, Alicia Keys, Faith Hill, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Mary J. Blige, will.i.am and Maroon 5 got on stage together during the show to commemorate Obama by singing a rousing collaborative version of Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered". Obama said they came up with the idea for the Neighborhood Ball because they're "neigborhood people" and Obama first cut his teeth while working to help neighborhoods. The 44th President said this Ball captures the true spirit of his campaign involving neighbors, "because together we are going to change America".

Rap Stars & Obama - Celebrate Victory

It's no secret that President-elect Barack Obama was favored by Oprah Winfrey, and received a shout out in Common's song "The People". A more recent backer of the winning candidate was Jay-Z, who held a few concerts over the course of one weekend to encourage more people to vote Obama in 2008. Jay-Z made the following pre-election comments at a special 11-hour pledge in the Uptown Theatre of Philly. Jay-Z channelled black political heroes of the past, saying: "I need y'all to be really, really quiet for this. I need you to really understand what I'm telling you. Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King could walk. Martin Luther King walked so Obama could run. Obama's running so we all can fly." (Source: guardian.co.uk) Diddy also claims he felt like his vote is the one that put Obama into office. Diddy voted at a school in Midtown Manhattan on Tuesday. There's also been several Obama-victory-celebration tracks created already. Jay-Z recently unveiled the track "History" on Angie Martinez's Hot 97 Radio Show. Busta Rhymes has created a remix called "Pop the Champagne - Barack Campaign" and Common has "Changes", an Obama inspired track. Read more about the Obama rap tracks here.

Obama's Victory & Starpower

And with that, Barack Obama won the 2008 Election, capturing traditionally Republican states and connecting with Americans on all levels. Obama had the charming personality, was portrayed as a down-to-earth family man, and the type of guy concerned with truly helping the nation's poor. Obama also had the star power and backing of many well-known celebrities or personalities. Oprah Winfrey made it no secret that she was backing her fellow Chicagoan. When Oprah talks, her fanbase listens. Whether it's buying the latest Echart Tolle book or cosmetic product, Oprah nation responds. Oprah threw a big expensive bash for Obama and most likely conveyed his message to her millions of fans. Warren Buffet is yet another big name who came out and backed Obama. When the nation's facing economic crisis, having the biggest financial pundit on the planet in your corner always helps. Let's hope now that Buffet will give Obama advice on how to proceed with fixing the economic mess. Jay-Z and Lebron James were also supporters of Barack, and that always helps sway the young, hip voters. You'd have to believe that fellow Chicagoans, Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco and Common had Barack's back as well. Overall, Obama had a sort of MTV/Internet campaign that John McCain just couldn't match. His cool personality came through in everything from the Obama girl's sexy music video to will.i.am's star-studded "Yes We Can" B&W video. Obama appeared on WWE's Monday Night Raw (as did McCain and Hilary) in pre-recorded video messages. He even had ads placed in video games. When Colin Powell came forth to say he endorsed Obama that may have ssent an extra surge of votes Barack's way as well. John McCain had the support of Ric Flair (former WWE) and Joe the Plumber. So with that sort of lackluster star power fighting the power of Barack, McCain knowingly admitted that he gave his all but just couldn't compete.

Jay-Z Offers 2 Shows to Support Obama

Recent news reported at AllHipHop.com has confirmed that Rap star Jay-Z will perform two free shows this coming weekend. Jay aka S. Carter will perform a free show in Detroit on Saturday (October 4) followed by another free performance in Miami on Saturday (October 5). Tickets for each of the free concerts will be distributed at Obama’s local campaign offices, AllHipHop.com has confirmed. More from AllHipHop.com: Obama, who admitted a fondness for Jay-Z and Kanye West, expressed his support for Hip-Hop during an interview with MTV Host/Hip-Hop personality Sway, following a presidential rally in Greensboro, North Carolina. He also praised the entrepreneurial mind state that rappers often possess. “In the past, musicians oftentimes were commodities.” Obama told MTV News. “They were just shuffled around…they did well, but they didn't have the vision to say, 'I'm going to build a business. I'm going to build my own studio. I'm going to create my own production operations.' I think they're a lot more sophisticated than in the past, and that is a wonderful thing." So as the campaign narrows down, will rappers help decide this 2008 vote? Rap star Young Jeezy was not shy about admitting he supports John McCain due to the fact McCain "shook his hand like a real G". There's been previous gossip regarding some sort of Ludacris-Obama riff raff as well. With a star-studded music video, as well as Jay-Z and Oprah on the Obama campaign, it may be hard to stop him come November...

Yes We Can! Rappers for Obama

In the past there's been all sorts of musical movements to promote important causes, raise awareness and generate money for charity. Farm Aid and the We are the World USA for Africa are just two examples that come to mind. With the 2008 election approaching to determine our next US president, Black Eyed Peas frontman, will.i.am has produced a star studded song to endorse democratic candidate Barack Obama. The all black and white music video features the likes of will.i.am, John Legend, Common, Tatyana Ali, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and Barack himself. The mellow yet inspirational acoustic song is based on Barack's victory speech from New Hampshire with the three words "Yes We Can" chanted and sung throughout. The video features footage of Barack's powerful speech as well with musicians adding to the song. Suprisingly, Kanye West and Oprah Winfrey, fellow Chicago natives didn't cameo in the video.. So now Barack not only has the backing of Oprah Winfrey and Hulk Hogan, but is endorsed by many other popular celebrities and rappers too. Will this be enough to push Obama into the Oval office for 2008? Watch the full Yes We Can music video here.