From Us Weekly Magazine:

Barack Obama has revealed he has some "pretty eclectic tastes" when it comes to music.

Everything from Howlin Wolf to Yo-Yo Ma to Sheryl Crow, he tells the new issue of Rolling Stone. And I have probably 30 Dylan songs on my iPod.

His musical hero?

"It would have to be Stevie Wonder, said the Democratic presidential nominee (and Us Weekly cover star), who grew up rocking out to the Rolling Stones and Earth, Wind & Fire.

He said Jay-Z "is a brilliant talent and a good guy.

"Hes serious and he cares about his art," he added. "Thats somebody who is going to start branching out and can help shape attitudes in a real positive way.

His overall take on rap: "I am troubled sometimes by the misogyny and materialism of a lot of rap lyrics, but I think the genius of the art form has shifted the culture and helped to desegregate music."

He added, "It would be nice if I could have my daughters listen to their music without me worrying that they were getting bad images of themselves."

He previously told Us that his daughters are "very sensible" when it comes to music.

"They're pretty down on Britney and Paris and all of that," he told Us. "They think that's very 'yuck.' They're way more into Hannah Montana and Beyonce. They got to go backstage and meet Beyonce and they just love her to death."

The Video:

http://www.youtube.com/wa...6OzSZ7qqVE
[Edited 6/26/08 5:39am]

thanks hun

weak

Anytime I see a mention of a politician's iPod, they're sure to highlight how "eclectic" it is. Except GWB - I think his was straight up cuntry.

silverchild said:

[Edited 6/26/08 6:34am]

I guess it depends what site you're getting this info from, but here is another article.

WASHINGTON - Bob Dylan. Yo-Yo Ma. Sheryl Crow. Jay-Z. These aren't musical acts in a summer concert series: They're artists featured on Barack Obama's iPod.

"I have pretty eclectic tastes," the Democratic presidential contender said in an interview to be published in Friday's issue of Rolling Stone.

Growing up in the '70s, Obama said, he listened to the Rolling Stones, Elton John and Earth, Wind & Fire. Stevie Wonder is his musical hero from the era. The Stones' "Gimme Shelter" tops his favorites from the band.

The Illinois senator's playlist contains these musicians, along with about 30 songs from Dylan and the singer's "Blood on the Tracks" album. Jazz legends Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker are also in the mix.

"Actually, one of my favorites during the political season is 'Maggie's Farm,'" Obama said of one of Dylan's tracks. "It speaks to me as I listen to some of the political rhetoric."

In the song, Dylan sings about trying be himself, "but everybody wants you to be just like them."

Several musicians on Obama's iPod support his bid for the White House, including Bruce Springsteen. Earlier this month, Dylan told a British newspaper that he believes Obama is redefining politics in the United States and could deliver change to a nation in upheaval.

"I've got to say, having both Dylan and Bruce Springsteen say kind words about you is pretty remarkable," Obama said. "Those guys are icons."

Obama said he hasn't met Springsteen, but the two have talked over the phone.

"Not only do I love Bruce's music, but I just love him as a person," Obama said. "He is a guy who has never lost track of his roots, who knows who he is, who has never put on a front."

And did he address him as the Boss?

"You've got to," the candidate said.


Asked what he thought of rap, Obama said the genre has broken down barriers within the music world, though he's concerned about his daughters — Malia, 9, and Sasha, 7 — listening to it.

"I am troubled sometimes by the misogyny and materialism of a lot of rap lyrics," he said, "but I think the genius of the art form has shifted the culture and helped to desegregate music."

He said hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and rappers Jay-Z and Ludacris were "great talents and great businessmen."

"It would be nice if I could have my daughters listen to their music without me worrying that they were getting bad images of themselves," he added.

Obama appears on the cover of the magazine, which endorsed him for president in March.

Jay Z on Obama's iPod?

bboy87 said:

He's actually mentioned Jay-Z on a couple of occasions before, so I believe him on that one.
Having songs on your iPod doesn't mean you listen to them. It just means they're there.

bboy87 said:

I'ma hurt your ass, watch

bboy87 said:

i dont believe that bs either.
he may have it on there or the cd laying up in a closet somewhere,
but only for g.p.
he doesnt listen to it.

horatio said:

Believe it. Its the truth.

horatio said:

Nah, I can just see Obama bumpin' "Excuse Me Miss."

dreamfactory313 said:

Yeah, it's true. They even played 99 Problems during his rallies!!!

Paris9748430 said:

AlexdeParis said:

Yeah, I had a similar reaction when I heard about it, too!!

I don't know why it's NOT believable. Obama is a fairly young dude and is in touch with current culture.

Knuptfad said:

For real. He's only 46. Considering he's spent the earlier part of his political career working in streets of Chicago I don't see what's so hard to believe that he would listen to Jay-Z, or any hip hop, for that matter. Those two already met before, Jay-Z discussed with him initiatives he's been pursuing in Africa to build water pumps and sewage systems in poverty stricken areas, to prevent people from dying of water borne diseases.

Hope Stevie Wonder plays at a rally or something and takes a dig at G.W. with a rousing rendition of "You Haven't Done Nothin"!



_

Anybody that's into Miles, Coltrane and Charlie Parker deserves a seat in the White House. Cool to see that he digs Stevie and The Stones.