In Saturday's Washington Post, Style section writer Jose Antonio Vargas wrote light-hearted advice to Hillary Clinton on her request for ideas for a campaign song. (To those who would easily nominate the gospel song "I Ain't Noways Tired," which Hillary mangled in a spoken-word performance with a bad Southern accent in Selma back in March, just know the Post news staff never touched that with a ten-foot pen.*)
Vargas suggested "Upgrade U," where soul singer Beyonce sings about being an upgrade to her man, the rapper Jay-Z. "See, you and Bill can be the B and Jay of politics," Vargas oozed.
We were at a club on Connecticut Avenue recently and one of Beyoncé's thumpin', heavy-on-the-bass ditties made us think of you. Maybe you've heard it, "Upgrade U"? It's about Beyoncé, the hardest-working woman in the biz, upgrading her man, CEO-rapper Jay-Z, still the baddest MC around.
First Jay raps: " How you gon' upgrade me? What's higher than number 1? You know I used to beat that block. Now I be's the block."
Then B sings: " I hear you be the block but I'm the lights that keep the streets on. . . You need a real woman in your life . . . Introduce you to some new things . . . Upgrade you."
See, you and Bill can be the B and Jay of politics. What with all this buzz about the Clinton dynasty (Bush in '88, Clinton in '92, Bush '00, Clinton '08?), and all the talk about you possibly being the first woman to head the White House.
Beyoncé does croon to Jay, "It's very seldom that you're blessed to find your equal."
Now, we're not saying you have to roll around on top of a mountain of bling, like she does in her music video, telling Jay, " Ya dynasty ain't complete without a chief like me."
But with Barack breathing down your neck and Bill's I-have-confidence-in-Hillary video being kinda so-so, we thought "Upgrade U" might give you some juice.
Bill Clinton could have something in common with Jay-Z, given his appetite for "Big Pimpin'."
*For the record, columnist Eugene Robinson mentioned Hillary's lyrical gospel citation but made no mention of the very mockable accent that came with it.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
hip hop hillary
May 19, 2007 - 16:43 ET by zoro7957I like Limbaugh's suggestion better; Sir Mixalot's "Baby Got Back".....hilarious............I like big butts...........
Anything's better than Varg
May 19, 2007 - 22:45 ET by motherbeltAnything's better than Vargas's choice of words..
See, you and Bill can be the B and Jay of politics," Vargas oozed.
It's probably not a good idea use the letters B and J in reference to Bill Clinton....
Clenis & Clunt
May 20, 2007 - 00:06 ET by heldmywOl' Slick Willy has been referred to as "Clenis" for years (google)... A good hiphop handle, I think.
Of course, that would make Hillary "Clunt", now, wouldn't it?
Hillary's song
May 19, 2007 - 16:57 ET by Cool ArrowDon'cha wish your girlfriend was a joke like me?
In addition to being a "
May 19, 2007 - 17:17 ET by newkidontheblockIn addition to being a "Big Pimpin" MC, Jay Z is also an admitted crack dealer. So if President Clinton is a pimp and drug dealer, what does that make his wife? Can't blame Vargas though, he probably knows very little about who Jay Z is and probably never bothered to listen to the lyrics of his songs.
-an admitted "former&q
May 19, 2007 - 18:50 ET by Wisdom-an admitted "former" crack dealer, from the late 80s. But he was able to overcome that and make something positive out of himself.
Managed to become very wealth
May 19, 2007 - 19:29 ET by newkidontheblockManaged to become very wealthy ... I'm not sure that it's positive to promote drug dealing and treating women like prostitutes. It's a negative that down trodden children might look up to a guy like this and think they can be a success through emulation of Jay Z.
Well Jay-Z doesn't promote
May 19, 2007 - 20:09 ET by WisdomWell Jay-Z doesn't promote drug dealing nor does he "treat women like prostitutes." He's maintained the same steady girlfriend for the last six years. Yes, in his early songs from the mid-90s he discussed his drug dealing past in-depth, but at the same time talked about being grateful he was able to move on from that and be a positive figure in society. Just recently, he met with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan to work on a clean water initiative for struggling nations across the world. He's also made a number of charitable contributions. So before you try to slander him, you should do some research on who he is.
He talks about dealing drugs
May 19, 2007 - 22:21 ET by newkidontheblockHe talks about dealing drugs in his songs and doesn't seem the least bit apologetic that he poisoned his neighbors with crack cocaine. Read the lyrics to some of his songs if you want to see how often he disrespects women. "99 Problems" is one that comes to mind off the top of my head.
Working with Kofi Annan does not make you socially responsible or positive. The fact that he has maintained a relationship with a steady girlfriend for 6 years does not mean that he respects women.
I'm not trying to slander him, I encourage anyone to look into what he says AND what he does and then make a judgement about him. He is not a good role model in my opinion, he is rich and successful but I personally don't think that it is a result of his good character.
I'm not the betting type, but
May 19, 2007 - 18:56 ET by Tim GrahamI'm not the betting type, but I'm guessing Vargas knows quite a bit about music, and doesn't think the drug-dealing is such a big deal. (Which gangsta rapper doesn't have a rap sheet?) Beyonce oughta care. J.A.V. also wrote about Beyonce here.
My suggestion for Hillary's c
May 19, 2007 - 18:08 ET by GalvanicMy suggestion for Hillary's campaign song: "Pop Goes The Weasel."
that's Bill's song
May 19, 2007 - 19:09 ET by LionKingThat's Bill's song...just ask ask Monica.
This isn't an example of libe
May 19, 2007 - 20:18 ET by balboaThis isn't an example of liberal bias; it's just a really, really stupid analogy.
Yes, it is, although you have
May 20, 2007 - 08:53 ET by dahliatraversYes, it is, although you have to admit Vargas does some serious brown-nosing of Hillary.
Hillary's song
May 19, 2007 - 20:32 ET by dmntd1Way back in the day.... when I was younger, and foolish, there was this band that came to town. They sang the song that will, or should, become Hillary's song... Johnny Socko, Thank you for this song!
Bitch stole my hat (caution, explicit lyrics)
She walked on in,
Cheeks red from the cold,
Had her some sky blue eyes...
She took what she wanted, but I'll never know how-
BECAUSE--!!
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my fuckin' hat
Bitch stole my hat, she wont give it back
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my motherfuckin' hat
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my fuckin' hat
Bitch stole my hat, she wont give it back
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my motherfuckin' hat
Tiara wearin' drag (queen thievery!)
Swipes my coonskin derby (that's my creation!)
Kid-nap my cap (hazardous occupation)
Gig money gone to larceny
Well you drink four beers
And you start to steal
And you slip it off my head, kiss my cheek (seduction!)
Now my dressing room bare (stocking cap abduction!)
The way I'm thinkin' is yer my next meal
Remove my lid, cause on yer head I will dine,
I'm gonna skin you alive...!
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my fuckin' hat
Bitch stole my hat, she wont give it back
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my motherfuckin' hat
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my fuckin' hat
Bitch stole my hat, she wont give it back
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my motherfuckin' hat
White snowflakes
Was melting in her hair
I caught her smiling at me...
Yet it was smelling of some greed,
I fell to the floor,
Sweat dripping from my brow
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my fuckin' hat
Bitch stole my hat, she wont give it back
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my motherfuckin' hat
Thirty-six, ninety-nine is what I paid!
I see you snake my favorite tuk
Drop the fez now or I spit in your face
You got no respect for property and place
Princess raised, daddy's spoiled greedy little brat
You ask why I'm dark---cause the bitch stole my hat
Now you ask yourself "Why you gotta use that word?"
Five finger discount on a hat that's not yours
Catch a brick, eat my shit,
You fuck, you cunt!
I assure I only use it when it's rightly deserved
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my fuckin' hat
Bitch stole my hat, she wont give it back
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my motherfuckin' hat
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my fuckin' hat
Bitch stole my hat, she wont give it back
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my motherfuckin' hat!
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my fuckin' hat
Bitch stole my hat, she wont give it back
Bitch stole my hat, stole my hat, stole my motherfuckin' ha----t!
What'd she take?!
What'd she take?!
My hat!
(She took it!)
What'd she take?!
What'd she take?!
My hat!
(She took it!)
(x6)
What'd she take?!
(She took it!)
(x5)
Please make sure your train of thought carries freight.
Oh my God...JOHNNY SOCKO! Are
May 20, 2007 - 00:22 ET by balboaOh my God...JOHNNY SOCKO! Are you from Indiana?
Nope, from Illinois. Johnny S
May 20, 2007 - 11:10 ET by dmntd1Nope, from Illinois. Johnny Socko used to play in the Hanger in Carbondale when I was there. I'll never forget the automatic toilet-paper-dispenser (leaf blower with attached toilet paper holder) spewing toilet paper right into the ceiling fans.... which promptly got tangled and and to be turned off.
Or the confetti gun. Not sure how that one worked this far removed from the episode, but the girl sitting across from me ended up with a beer cup overflowing with confetti!
Please make sure your train of thought carries freight.
I loved these guys, hilarious
May 20, 2007 - 14:18 ET by balboaI loved these guys, hilarious songs, outfits, stage antics. I haven't heard their name in YEARS.
Hillary is such a hoot with
May 20, 2007 - 11:34 ET by Jack BauerHillary is such a hoot with her linguistic abilities.
In fact, didn't she play the white Jive Lady in the hilarious 1980 'Airplane' movie?