It’s about time.  Finally, a voice from the hip-hop community has stepped up to the mic.  But this time it was not to spit some lyrics; rather, it was to pose questions directly to the presidential candidates from hip-hop’s perspective.

This past weekend, all of the Democratic presidential candidates gathered in America’s current campaign hotbed for The Iowa Brown & Black Presidential Forum at North High School in Des Moines.  It was the sixth time for this forum, which has been growing in popularity and influence ever since it’s conception in 1984 – but it was the first time that any of the ’08 presidential candidates have been asked questions formally posed to them about the issues that directly affect the hip-hop community and those of us that are a part of it.  

The hip-hop community has historically had its strongest political voice at this long running forum, which has included past panel members such as Joshua “Fahiym” Ratcliffe (contributing writer for The Source, Oneworld, Vibe, and Savoy) in 2004, among many other political and social leaders of the African-American and Latino-American communities.  This year’s representative of hip-hop on the panel was none other than Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President/CEO of the Hip Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) and President/CEO of H3 Enterprises, Inc.

Throughout the forum, Dr. Chavis effectively presented the Democratic presidential candidates with some challenging questions regarding the difficult issues affecting the African-American and Latino-American communities, all while pertaining his inquiries to the many positive, yet often understated, aspects of the hip-hop culture. 

Dr. Chavis posed a question to Senator Barack Obama concerning his plans, should he be elected President, to address the primary concerns of America’s hip hop generation and the communities that we live in.  Dr. Chavis’ powerful question was as follows:

“Over 35 years ago, Hip-Hop culture was born in the South Bronx among young African Americans and Latino Americans. The youth of today are the Hip-Hop generation and across America young people want and demand a better quality of life for themselves and their families and communities. Speaking on behalf of Russell Simmons and millions of young Hip-Hop voters who will resolutely go to the polls in 2008, if you are elected President of the United States, how would you take leadership as President to address the issues and concerns of the Hip-Hop generation?” 

Wow. How refreshing is it to hear such a question directed to a presidential candidate on a national stage at a renowned political forum covered by nearly every single major media outlet in the country?  Clearly, hip-hop’s voice continues to gain strength and we as the people that support this culture are now demanding to be heard.

Senator Obama responded by stating his understanding of the significance of America’s young voters and the issues that impact our communities.  The Senator went on to directly address this country’s poverty concerns, citing that under the current administration more African-American and Latino-American families have fallen into a poverty status and that he found it unacceptable that 37 million people are currently living in poverty in the United States.  Senator Obama stated that he believes that he is “the only candidate that best represents real change” in regards to this critical problem that our country now faces. 

Another hip-hop focused question was directed to Senator Hillary Clinton, as Dr. Chavis asked her about her plans, should she be elected President, to encourage and support entrepreneurial growth among the communities that make up and support the hip-hop culture.  Dr. Chavis’ uplifting and stimulating question was as follows: 

“The evolution of Hip-Hop culture in America and throughout the world has caused a revival of the entrepreneurial spirit among millions of youth. Hip-Hop is about doing for self, going into business for yourself, owning your own record labels, your own production and distribution companies. I am working now to help build HipHopSodaShops across America. My question is if you are elected President of the United States, how do you intend to specifically provide greater opportunities for youth entrepreneurial development and the overall economic recovery and development of our communities?” 

Once again, Dr. Chavis’ ability to capture the positive influences of the hip-hop culture on our society while inquiring about further community advancement is undeniably unparalleled.  At a time when hip-hop has unfairly become the scapegoat for so many of society’s problems today, it is inspirational to hear the positive aspects of hip-hop’s impact on our communities be addressed in a presidential forum.

Senator Clinton responded to the direct question by first thanking Dr. Chavis and Russell Simmons for their successful efforts in regards to the Hip-Hop Summits that they continue to organize.  Dr. Chavis and Russell Simmons first teamed up in 2001 for the historic New York Hip Hop Summit, which brought together members of the hip-hop industry, civil rights leaders, and political organizations for the purpose of community development; and shortly after, this power duo’s creation spawned the HASN. 

Senator Clinton continued by stating that it would be a priority of hers to lead the economic recovery of America’s communities by reaching out to young business leaders, while ensuring that the Small Business Administration (SBA) would be much more effective than it has been under the current administration.  The Senator finished by saying that the “economic development of not only Brown and Black communities but all communities” would be a main concern of her administration. 

It was an evening in which the hip hop culture that we all love so dearly was showcased in the optimistic light that it truly deserves, while the concerns of the communities that support this culture were directly addressed.  Dr. Chavis put it best when questioned about the forum afterword:

“This historical Forum was the first time in this Presidential race where the positive attributes of Hip-Hop were discussed by both the panelists and the candidates themselves. It is critical as this race continues that the concerns and issues of the Hip-Hop generation such as poverty and economic empowerment remain front and center.” 

Dr. Chavis should be commended for his respectful and uplifting representation of the hip-hop culture during this nationally covered event, as well as his ability to bring the positive aspects of the hip hop culture to the forefront, all while compelling the presidential candidates to present their views on the issues that impact those of us that are a part of the hip hop generation.  It’s so refreshing to see our voice being heard on a presidential level and now the responsibility to keep the hip hop voice “front and center” falls upon all of us.  We need to take this opportunity to step up and be heard, because clearly we have them listening now. 

Regardless of who you will be supporting for President next year, I encourage everybody to take some time to do a little research on the candidates and issues that impact you the most, register to vote, and most importantly, go to the polls and cast that vote so that all of the voices of the hip hop generation will be heard loud and clear in 2008.

- Rapáil Eamon