will.i.am's "Yes We Can" is WSJ's Best Political Hip Hop of 2008

[NJCher]

The WSJ has published a list of the best and worst ads of 2008 and they have selected will.i.am's "Yes We Can" as the best political hip-hop. Here's what they have to say:

The Best Political Hip-Hop

Content: "Yes We Can," a music video produced by will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, showed footage of a speech by President-elect Barack Obama as musicians and celebrities echoed his words.

Feedback: In a bitter advertising war, the ad managed to take the high ground -- and vividly demonstrated the treatment of politicians as brands. The video, which wasn't commissioned by the Obama camp, was viewed more than 20 million times on sites such as YouTube and fueled "yes we can" as the rallying cry for supporters.

Link to story:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122999459168528847.html

Link to "Yes We Can," in case you'd like to watch it again:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY



Cher

[IndyOp]

1. The song that changed the world. I've been in awe of will.i.am since then and

I honestly didn't like it on first listen -- the purposefully mismatched song and voice tracks were jarring to me. I played it over and over again anyway and now I think it was inspired.

Peace.

[FrenchieCat]

2. I brought tears to my eyes many times during the election.....

especially when things got heated.

I think that it truly moved people to action...especially during the primaries.
I think it also helped visualize the history that we were making.

[camera obscura]

3. It's hard to believe this came from the guy responsible for "My Humps"

I tease, I tease. But really, he deserves props. He has, in his own small way, made himself a part of history.

[anigbrowl]

9. 'My humps' is extremely underrated (wildly off topic)

It's not as easy as people think to make something sound as simple as that. Loads of people hated it...but nobody who hears it ever forgets it. Check out this: Alanis Morisette did a rather amazing parody of it just with voice and solo piano (thus making up for that 'ironic' song) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W91sqAs-_-g After you've finished giggling, listen to it again, and realize how good it sounds - that piano is so sophisticated! Listen to those beautiful chord changes around the 'drama' bit! And yet...it's the exact same music, just rearranged for piano.

Now go back and listen to the Black Eyed Peas version again...or if you hate Fergie, here's an instrumental version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpKixv9QBOQ It's my contention that the infantile lyrics are not only a comment on a certain sort of mindset, they're also the shiny wrapper for an EXTREMLY clever piece of music. If you drop this instrumental at any funk/hip-hop dance party, it's a sure floor filler.

Now take another pop hit from this summer, 'When I grow Up' by the Pussycat Dolls. I quite like this tune in a bubblegum way, but if you listen to the instrumental (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79hOm9noMz8) there is almost nothing there - just one really obvious loop with a few flourishes in the same key. It's all about the topline, whereas 'My humps' works equally well on a musical level even when it's deconstructed.

[firedupdem]

4. That song and It's a New Day are amazing!!

It's a new Day also serves to keep me on the elliptical longer!!

[Danger Mouse]

5. This song played on 'Barack as President' on Election Night...

made me :cry:

[NashVegas]

6. So Um ..... What Are the WSJ's Top 4 Runners' Up In This Category?

[SoxFan]

7. I always turn to the Wall Street Journal for hip-hop coverage

I turn to Vibe for the latest on the Asian commodities markets.

[RevolutionToday]

8. I think you missed the irony: "I'm from where they overthrow democratic leaders, not for the people

but for the wall street journal readers" - Immortal Technique "The 3rd World"

The Wall Street Journal is not saying that "Yes We Can!" was the best political hip-hop of 2008 (there is barely any political content in the song and even less in the video featuring celebrities and Obama clips), they are saying it is the best commercial packaging of a brand name politician in an advertisment.

In other words: to the Wall Street Journal papermongers the most commercial hip-hop is that with the least possible lyrical complexity (There are no original words in this song, just Obama's speeches and his slogan Yes We Can! put to a wonderful melody), or a message that challenges the listener. Hip-hop for everyone, even your Grandma! William's other Obama song (It's A New Day) sucks royally. This is probably because William wrote that bland song without Obama's great speeches lifting it up!

The best political hip-hop of 2008 was Immortal Technique's The 3rd World. Listen to the album on Youtube and be prepared to be amazed by an incredible talent who emcees the truth with a wickedly sharp tongue unlike any other!

[Cha]

10. Good! I loved that will. , The Black Eyed

Peas, and all the celebs made that video when they did.

I noticed on tv last night that CBS was saying "Yes We Can". I know Obama supporters didn't originate it but we sure carried it on.

[Drunken Irishman]

11. That's like picking Obama as the best black presidential nominee.

Not like there were many contenders in the first place. How many political hip hop songs were there?

[snowbear]

12. ~~Awesome!

.
.