Edd’s MANtra: Common, The Most Gangsta Man Alive. Allegedly.

I usually refrain from taking Fox News to task – they’re much too easy of a target – but I just couldn’t ignore this one.


Rapper Common was invited to the White House by President Obama to attend a poetry event that, at the time of this writing, was scheduled to stream live from the White House’s website.


Nice gesture, right? Not if you’re a Fox News talking head. Former Bush chief of staff Karl Rove, Sarah Palin and others were appalled that the White House would welcome a “thug” into its hallowed halls. From newsmax.com:

“Yes, let’s invite a misogynist to the White House, a guy who’s called for violence against police officers, and called for killing the former president of the United States George W. Bush —  

this will set a good tone for the country,” Rove sarcastically told Fox News’ Sean Hannity Tuesday.

“President Obama last week said he wanted to recapture that special moment we had after 9/11 — and here a week later, we have an example of how this White House can recapture that moment by inviting a thug to the White House — a man who calls for the death of Mr. Obama’s predecessor in office,” Rove said.

Common’s a thug? Playa please. It’s not like Obama invited a coked-up DMX to the White House – although that would be hilarious. Can you imagine him giving one of his infamous “prayers,” complete with barking? No, Obama invited THIS GUY:

The dude dresses like a newspaper boy from 1930. He should be yelling “extra, extra” on a black and white street corner. I don’t know many hoodlums who look like that.


Must be a slow news day at Fox, because their argument is as thin as Rove’s hair. I have nearly every album in Common’s catalogue and I can’t recall one misogynistic verse. Sure, he hasn’t had many kind words for police in the past but in context those complaints were about the system in general, not shock-value death threats like these new Odd Future songs (but I’ll bash Odd Future another day). And the so-called threat against Bush was simply a burning bush metaphor from a throwaway freestyle at an Obama rally.


Common may be more Charlie Brown than Nino Brown, but it’s true, he’s no shrinking violet. Remember when he verbally pimp-slapped the mighty Ice Cube? That was a lifetime ago, and today’s Common is much more interested in spreading AIDS awareness, fighting for animal rights and supporting educational programs. Don’t believe me? Here you go.


Longtime Georgia Mae fans know I won’t hesitate to call out sorry rappers on their crap, but I refuse to let the entire genre be demonized. It’s clear Fox n’ friends have no idea who Common is and what he stands for. They heard the word “rapper,” threw Common’s name in Google, and let their imaginations run wild. Hip hop has very few positive role models and I can’t think of a better ambassador for the culture. Despite what the ill-informed detractors say,  inviting Common sets a very good tone for the country and shows that hip hop is more than autotune, rolling weed and Kanye harassing little girls.


Next time, Rove, research before you react. Now, if Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka are invited to the White House, then Rove and I will be on the same page. And what a sad day that will be – on all levels.