“There doesn’t seem to have been a whole lot of hip hop at this BBQ, based on Politico’s account, except that a DJ played some of it, along with Motown and ’70s and ’80s R&B — which sounds, and correct me if I’m wrong, because I don’t go to a lot of these, kind of like the musical sampling at a contemporary bar mitzvah party.
Only one of the live acts, Ledisi, can be described as hip hop — and then just barely. Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock are not hip-hop performers. Which makes the overall “hip hop” quotient pretty low.
As for the guest list and hip hop by association … Charles Barkley is neither hip hop nor a role model. Chris Rock was a hip-hop figure in the early- and mid-90s, but the most direct evidence of hip hoppery seems to be Jay-Z’s presence. Which leads me to believe that Jay-Z also walks down “hip-hop sidewalks,” shops at “hip-hop supermarkets,” and texts Beyonce on his “hip-hop phone” to ask whether she wants “hip-hop spinach” or “hip-hop arugula” in the “hip-hop salad” they plan to “hip-hop prepare” as part of a “hip-hop light summer meal.” Maybe it wasn’t Jay-Z, but the heavy hip-hop influences displayed constantly by the U.S. Marine Band or U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, that lent the BBQ its hip-hop flair.”
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Only one of the live acts, Ledisi, can be described as hip hop — and then just barely. Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock are not hip-hop performers. Which makes the overall “hip hop” quotient pretty low.
As for the guest list and hip hop by association … Charles Barkley is neither hip hop nor a role model. Chris Rock was a hip-hop figure in the early- and mid-90s, but the most direct evidence of hip hoppery seems to be Jay-Z’s presence. Which leads me to believe that Jay-Z also walks down “hip-hop sidewalks,” shops at “hip-hop supermarkets,” and texts Beyonce on his “hip-hop phone” to ask whether she wants “hip-hop spinach” or “hip-hop arugula” in the “hip-hop salad” they plan to “hip-hop prepare” as part of a “hip-hop light summer meal.” Maybe it wasn’t Jay-Z, but the heavy hip-hop influences displayed constantly by the U.S. Marine Band or U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, that lent the BBQ its hip-hop flair.”
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Fox Blasts Obama’s ‘Hip-Hop BBQ’ for Failing to Create Jobs - Chris Good - Politics - The Atlantic
This isn’t even a dog whistle. It’s a bullhorn.