Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Blogs:
Pets:
The Heldenfiles:
Monday Notebook, New "90210" on DVD
Patrick McManamon:
Another NBA free agent goes to a Cavs competitor
Akron Zips:
Opponent outlook: Northern Illinois
Browns Bulletin:
Single-game ticket sales begin July 11
Tribe Matters:
Heyman: Peralta, Wood and Pavano available
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth test showed marijuana
Kent State Sports:
Men's Basketball Scheduling update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Free agency: Another One Bites the Dust
All Da King's Men:
The Obligatory Palin Post
Blog of Mass Destruction:
The "Limbaugh Babies"
Akron Law Café:
The Veil and the Burqa – Constitutional to Ban or Restrict?
Varsity Letters:
Solon’s Baldwin could decide soon
See Jane Style:
Picnic Wear
Car Chase:
Where do We Go from Here?
Let's Talk Real Estate:
ID My Bug
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jennifer inquires about a bus tour to Atlantic City
Sound Check:
Rundgren fans rejoice!: Second night of AWATS at The Civic added
HRLite House:
DDI One of Best Places to Work
Akron Gamer:
Hot link: Best of Nintendo at E3
LeBron and Jay-Z team up for Obama at Last Chance for Change rally
By Malcolm X Abram
Beacon Journal music writer
Published on Thursday, Oct 30, 2008
CLEVELAND: As the election draws near, presidential candidates and celebrities alike are mobilizing to earn votes in critical states like Ohio.
And Wednesday was no different at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.
Cavaliers guard LeBron James and rapper/businessman Jay-Z played host to a full house of basketball, rap music and Barack Obama supporters at a Last Chance for Change rally. Tickets for the event were free.
Some were there to celebrate the Obama campaign, while others gathered to hear rap verses.
Before the lights dimmed and the show began, numerous pro-Obama shirts could be seen. One featured the phrase ''Barackstar 08,'' while another had a massive hand on the front and the words ''Bye, McCain'' on the back.
Ohio has hosted other concert/political rallies. One recently in Akron featured Devo, the Black Keys and Chrissie Hynde.
But the Last Chance for Change was the sole event to target hip-hop voters.
''I came to see Jay-Z; I've never seen him live, plus it's a good cause and it's free,'' said Julian Rogers of Cleveland.
Rogers, who works for Education Voters of Ohio, an organization that helps shape public-education policy, said he believed the event could mobilize voters.
''I think it's a good reminder right before the election,'' he said. ''I hope that they are here registering people and signing up volunteers for Election Day.''
Nick Wolkiewicz and Rob Malik also came to see Jay-Z.
Wolkiewicz, a preschool teacher visiting from Denver where he volunteers for Obama's campaign, said the concert was entertaining, but not the most effective way to reach voters.
''I think being out on the street telling folks how to vote and where to vote, and registering people is probably more effective,'' he said
Malik, a landscaper from Cleveland, said it was up to the evening's star to seal the deal for some voters.
''I hope Jay-Z puts that in people's minds when he's on stage,'' Malik said. ''I hope he'll shed some light on the process and the importance for some people.''
A pre-show video touting Obama's policy drew occasional applause, but it was the appearance of LeBron, sporting an Obama shirt, that drew the crowd to its feet.
''First, we're here to help Obama become president, second we're here to see Jay-Z,'' said the Akron native. ''You hear people talk about change all the time, but they never really go out and make a difference.
''I need everyone in here, moms, dads, cousins, aunts, family to get out and vote on Nov. 4 because this is going to be the most important vote of our lives.''
Between speakers, a DJ played a string of current hip- hop and R&B hits, mixing in declarations to ''Vote for Obama on Tuesday.''
Shortly after 9 p.m., Jay-Z entered with LeBron, fronting a nine-piece band that included a three-piece horn section.
Wearing a thick Cleveland- weather appropriate flannel shirt and gray scarf, the rap star drew applause.
''We here to have fun tonight, but it's also a very important election coming up,'' the rapper said between songs. ''Get out right now and vote. The lines are gonna be long because we the youth are going to show them our power on Nov. 4!''
The rapper's set included such songs as Can I Live from his revered 1996 debut Reasonable Doubt through his most recent album American Gangster. He dropped hits such as Dust Your Shoulders Off while much of the audience rapped along with him.
Though the concert was mostly about entertainment, Jay-Z turned serious on a few a cappella verses of his song Minority Report about the government's slow response to Hurricane Katrina victims that featured pictures of President Bush interspersed with pictures of Katrina survivors.
At one point, Jay-Z brought a song to a halt to drive home a point.
''Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King could walk,'' he said to the relatively quiet arena. ''Martin Luther King walked so Obama could run. Obama is running so we all can fly.''
Malcolm X Abram can be reached at mabram@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3758.
CLEVELAND: As the election draws near, presidential candidates and celebrities alike are mobilizing to earn votes in critical states like Ohio.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Stow, OH
Posted 07:41 AM, 10/30/2008
And there's LeBoob with his NY hat on in his own house he plays at .This guy can't leave soon enough .
Posted 08:01 AM, 10/30/2008
Really scary stuff--- lets hip hop right into the white house—lets not care about infanticide, illegal immigration, military protection of our country, the corrupt politicians that got us into the Fannie mea and Freddie mac mess=Obama, Dodd, Frank, Shummer, Rangle, Reid, Palosi,- lets not care about a socialistic state and the foundations of what this country was founded upon crumbling before our hip hop eyes….Lets just play basketball and keep hip hopping away---and see what happens to this country when the terrorist oriented Obama is elected president. Or maybe America wakes up…Might be happening as we write…Go McCain and Palin
Akron, OH
Posted 08:43 AM, 10/30/2008
tim and Emmett wearing their ignorance like a badge of honor, as usual. OBAMA/BIDEN 2008
Posted 08:51 AM, 10/30/2008
I suppose that is better than a stupidity badge.
Bizarrebertucky, OH
Posted 08:51 AM, 10/30/2008
Crappy music,but at least they are trying to get the kids out to vote. You gotta give them credit for that.
Posted 08:56 AM, 10/30/2008
It is a great effort on the part of LeBron to meet individuals where they are, we live in a diverse society and your concert of choice may not be someone elses. LBJ foot the bill for this and Jay-Z unless you are doing something to change the mindset of others besides putting people down. Put up or Shut up! Soccer mom - Republican voting Democratic. 401k now a 201k.
I missed the concert due to the fact it is not my choice of an entertainer, that was my choice. Respect others - this is what our nation need. Unity no more division, it does not work.
Posted 09:00 AM, 10/30/2008
I wonder what the average IQ is for all the Obama lovers who listen to that hip-hop and rap junk.
I believe they call it "rap" because it makes me want to "rap" the idiot that listens to it over the head. That stuff isn't "music" it's just someone up on a stage yelling about something and trying to make nursery rhymes. Those rappers and hippy-hoppers can't even speak English, either. yo, yo, yo to you, too !!
Posted 09:16 AM, 10/30/2008
That's a Yankees hat. Last I checked, LeBron played basketball.
It would be kind of a slap in the face if he wore a Knicks hat, though.
, ..
Posted 09:16 AM, 10/30/2008
Dear Glen: If you still support McBush policies...what does that make your IQ???? A big fat ZERO....you ignorant fool.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:21 AM, 10/30/2008
Glen,
Since when are you an expert on what is music or not?
You barely know about what you like.
Shhh.
Obama '08, before it's too late.
No more of the same, no for McSame.
The country is ailin', so don't go for Palin.
akron, OH
Posted 09:26 AM, 10/30/2008
i agree with dave. glen grow up it does not mean if you listen to rap music that your not educated. it sounds to me like your the one who's less educated. i have older kids who listen to rap music and they both are honor roll students. so glenn go get a life
obama/biden 2008.
Posted 09:32 AM, 10/30/2008
Terry: I became an expert on music in 1964. I know more about it then you could ever imagine and rap and hippity-hoppity isn't music. Be careful who you call out - punk !!
Mogadore, OH
Posted 10:00 AM, 10/30/2008
McCain voted with Bush over 90%, I've never seen such a mess...some maverick! I'm curious Glen, what is your level of education? Obama
Posted 10:09 AM, 10/30/2008
Warren, frankly I'd rather the uninformed people that have no idea the implications of what their vote could mean to our country NOT vote. Their is a civic duty in informed voting, but a civic disservice in blind voting.
Posted 10:10 AM, 10/30/2008
Great example of the "CULTURE of DEATH". This is a preview of what this country is going to get more of when the Obamanation is elected!To see what this culture produces look at the Chicago murder rate and Rolling Acres Mall!
akron, OH
Posted 10:14 AM, 10/30/2008
hip-hop-obama-marxism-rosa-marty-sameosamo
Posted 10:36 AM, 10/30/2008
Emmett: You have some serious issues that you need to address concerning yourself. Seriously, from the outside looking in - you need to do an inventory on the pains within yourself. It's really not about Obama or McCain in your life. It's about YOU. You need help.
Posted 10:44 AM, 10/30/2008
Thank You God for LeBron James !
Posted 10:45 AM, 10/30/2008
Phyllis I think you need to look into the mirror and read aloud what you just wrote - however- when doing this replace Emmett with Phyllis...Afterwards- read the bible and pray...
Posted 10:51 AM, 10/30/2008
wow, you guys are missing the point...get out and vote....and glen if you new music you would know hip hop is music...my dad teaches music in Tennessee, he doesn't like hip hop, but recognizes it is music..grow up glen...
Posted 10:52 AM, 10/30/2008
and to Bill...to see what your culture produces, look at jeffrey dahmer and susan smith, and hitler, and manson, shall I keep going
Posted 10:59 AM, 10/30/2008
and furthermore......just because they held a rap concert doesn't mean that Obama is bringing it to the White House....did Bush bring, manson, dahmer, and all the other crazy people, did Bush bring meth in the WH....no people are so ignorant, to think that Obama is going to be "Hip Hoppity"..GROW UP
Posted 11:00 AM, 10/30/2008
Wow-so Glen's culture produced Hitler, Susan Smith, Manson and Dahmer---wow--Now that's Obama Logic...like I said--scary stuff
Posted 11:07 AM, 10/30/2008
I see that many people have fear and express hate when a culture that is different than theirs is empowered to take action and make changes. I hope that I am not seeing the majority's true colors here. I am proud of what our hometown Akron boy has become and what he stands for! Of course...I don't want Jay-A to take him to NYC...don't go LeBron!
Posted 11:12 AM, 10/30/2008
Oh please Mr Obama, give me money, money and more money. It is not fair that I live in poverty. Help me Mr. O...please. I can't stand people who work for their own money. Please Mr. O, please help me get the working man's money. It is only fair.
Mr O, please give me some change. I'm struggling. The world is so dark and unforgiving. Please Mr O, give me some more money.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:34 AM, 10/30/2008
I've got your punk hangin'.
Posted 11:38 AM, 10/30/2008
hey emmett read what bill wrote about a culture of death, he is the one basically saying that obama is bring that to wh...my point was did bush bring all the nutcases of your race to the wh
Posted 11:39 AM, 10/30/2008
This just in: McCain is going to present his hip, with-it own concert to energize his base and bring out the vote on Nov. 4. Headliners will be Jerry Vale, Eddie Fisher and Anita Bryant.
cuyahoga falls, OH
Posted 11:55 AM, 10/30/2008
You know I just have one question. Would Lebron & J-Z have this concert if Obama wasn't black? I don't recall them doing this for Kerry in '04. That is racist in my mind.
Barberton, OH
Posted 12:12 PM, 10/30/2008
Glen, Emmett, Michaela, I try not to sink to your depraved, un-educated levels, but...you're just f**king stupid.
Akron, OH
Posted 12:12 PM, 10/30/2008
Jazz musicians did it instead. Kerry likes jazz.
http://www.concertsforkerry.org/press.php
Stow, OH
Posted 01:02 PM, 10/30/2008
@ Felicia,Ed,did either of you even listen to the tape of this so called "concert" ? Jay-z standing up there calling everyone in the audience the N word 3 or 4 times while they applaud . Sweetheart,I am way more intelligent than to stand there and clap while someone insults me . Now, who is the intelligent one? Certainly not any of you .
Stow, OH
Posted 01:05 PM, 10/30/2008
Oh wait ,thats right,it's only a bad word when whitey says it .
Posted 01:47 PM, 10/30/2008
Thanks Ed. Kiss, kiss, kiss. I love your intelligence level too. Your statement was well thought out--I can tell you are a thinking man's man.
Akron, Oh
Posted 01:54 PM, 10/30/2008
yahs funny.....i cant tell who has a degree or who doesnt.Some Black folks are voting for Obama because he's Black. Some white folks are not voting for Obama because he is Black. Which reason is worse??
Akron, OH
Posted 01:58 PM, 10/30/2008
There was a big fight at the concert. If it had been a McCain concert that would have been all over the news. Why do you think the MSM is hiding it? Maybe the obama brown shirts are covering that up also.
No to socialism, no to obama. Yes to freedom and the American Dream.
Posted 02:23 PM, 10/30/2008
ALL OF YOU ARE HATERRRRRRS!!!! KEEP DRINKIN THAT HATERADE!!! OBAMA BIDEN 2008 BABY!!!!!!!
Posted 02:29 PM, 10/30/2008
So is it just me, or does it scare anyone that if God forbid something happens to McCain, INEXPERIENCED Sarah Palin would be president?! Atleast Obama, Biden, and (sadly) McCain have been in the senate. Come on people! WAKE UP! Its a SCARY thought! You think its bad now, if McCain gets elected and somehow Palin becomes pres. She isnt going to have the first CLUE on what to do! Before her debate with Biden, she had to have a crash course in forgin policy, because shes never been out of the country #1, #2 never went to law school, #3 never had to deal with any kind of foregin leaders or policy. So my friends WHO in their right MIND would vote for Mccain knowing theres a chance this woman will be in office. WAKE UP AKRON! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!
Akron, OH
Posted 02:58 PM, 10/30/2008
@tim, Glen, etc.
This is what you should be focused on:
http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/33587159.html
Akron, OH
Posted 02:59 PM, 10/30/2008
Obama's got the Hip Hop crowd.
McCain's got the Artificial Hip crowd.
Akron, oh
Posted 04:35 PM, 10/30/2008
Alot of people are so quick to pull the race card over a free concert to get the young people of America to Vote--give me a break.
Stow, OH
Posted 04:56 PM, 10/30/2008
I'm still waiting for someone with half a brain to explain how you call yourselves intelligent when you let a moron like JayZ stand up there and call you a N***** over and over and it's OK.The only come back you have is ,ignore that and focus on this instead.What a bunch of sheep.
Posted 05:32 PM, 10/30/2008
I done lost count of all the racist stereotypical comments I read on here by people that probably wasn't even at the concert but want to assume things.
Go to a republican rally and see all the nice words people say there in front of kids.
lets pull out a lyric sheet of Marlin Manson, Ozzy Osbourne and Grateful Dead just to name a few. I am not a racist but its a fact that many white people like the ones that comment on this story are scared and shook at the fact that their next president may be black.
North Hill, OH
Posted 06:04 PM, 10/30/2008
Ohio supports Obama Biden '08!
"NO" to McSame/Failin
And to all of those who actually believe that Barack Obama is a terrorist ghetto thugg, wake up. Don't let your fear of an intelligent and insightful black man cloud your judgment. And this from a 28 year old white man....
God Bless America! Vote Obama 2008.
akron, oh
Posted 08:10 PM, 10/30/2008
A whole area of black people who think that if this oreo wins the election it will become a free for all for black people because da bruthas takes care of they own!!!!
Obama hasn't been "black" for a LONG time people....
akron, oh
Posted 08:16 PM, 10/30/2008
I want to know more about the fight. Anybody white involved? Anybody white even dare go to the concert lest they be killed by anti white racist blacks who think if Oreobama wins they can then go out and kill more white people because black president Obama is going to let them slide on murder charges?
You people ALL need to think down the road a little more. The ghetto blacks all think Obama is their way out rather than learning how to read is their way out.
cuyahoga falls, OH
Posted 09:43 PM, 10/30/2008
Obama isn't black. Yes he had a black father but his mother was white.
Posted 11:06 PM, 10/30/2008
Big Eared Lawn Jockey '08
Posted 11:08 PM, 10/30/2008
Big Eared Lawn Jockey '08
Posted 12:49 AM, 10/31/2008
Gaston, I'm s Conservative, and I honestly hope you don't vote at all, because you show your utter stupidity and ignorance for making racist comments like that. Whether you're joking or not doesn't matter. There's no need for it, and if you do support McCain, you're an embarrassment to other McCain supporters, like myself.
With that being said, I still have to mention that Gaston's putrid racism isn't near as bad as the racist words spewed at the concert last night. If people were permitted to use the N word on these forums, everyone would be screaming the first time someone wrote it. But it's OK for a concert endorsing Obama to be laced with that word??? What would you say if a concert endorsing McCain said the same word? It would go down as the most racist moment in modern presidential history, and likely cost him the election. NO ONE who supported this concert has any right to complain about the racist comments made by deadbeats like Gaston.
Posted 09:28 AM, 10/31/2008
why don't they just say HEY BLACKS VOTE FOR THE BLACK GUY!. sound racist huh? but I guess it's not because it is not a 2 way street. white's are deemed racist if they vote for the white guy. why?
Posted 10:12 AM, 10/31/2008
Wilma, I agree. And unfortunately, a lot of people seem to act like it makes black people "less black" if they oppose Obama. That's ridiculous...talk about racist.
Akron, OH
Posted 05:36 PM, 10/31/2008
the truth really hurts, doesn't it..the better man for the job is obama...
go obama.. the change we need.
Posted 07:27 PM, 10/31/2008
Alison: I will accept your statement as fact if you can actually give me a reason I can't out-refute that Obama is the better man for the job.
