Barack Obama has gotten a lot of attention from the Hip Hop community. After being name checked by Common, defended by Rhymefest, backed by Russell Simmons, and immortalized in a video by Will.I.Am, the Democratic presidential hopeful will now have a mix tape based on his campaign mantra, “Yes We Can” by DJ Green Lantern.
After hearing of Simmons’ endorsement of the Illinois Senator, Green decided to back Obama as well, with more than a verbal endorsement in the form.
“The light bulb just went off,” he explained told MTV. “[Russell] is going in; I been a Barack supporter for a long time. [Russell] was conflicted with what he wanted to do, and when he finally made the decision, I just hit him back immediately. I got the idea, let’s go and get everybody who’s professed their support. Let’s make it happen.”
According to the article, Q-Tip and Common—who are both supporting Obama—will contribute to the project. In addition, Obama himself will be heard on the mix tape, but he won’t be spitting sixteen bars in the booth.
“I’m having a field day with these Obama speeches,” Green said, when discussing the project. “I actually got joints where I’ll make a beat, I’ll get somebody to sing a hook, and where there’s supposed to be verses, it’s just straight speeches. I played one for my mother, and she started crying.”
“Yes We Can” is scheduled to be released before next month’s Hip Hop Summit Action Network Summit in Philadelphia.