and has managed to far surpass most of the negative associations to rap. He's broken a ceiling that was closed just a few decades before as you said. What I also love is that Barack is not afraid to own having him there. He's not afraid to play basketball in your face, quote Jay-z and talk about race. Obama is just a badass period and I feel like I'm taking part in history by being an American right now. I think much of the world feels the same way and I bet they're pretty damn jealous. That's why I just don't get scaredy cat and worried Dems. This is not Kerry, this is not Gore, this is not Clinton. This is Barack Hussein Obama. And he's GOT THIS.

he is a mogul, NBA franchise owner now.

and love it. Jay-Z is also a Billionaire.

As a white woman who grew up with hip-hop i can assure you we realize the difference between a artistic performance and those who are genuinely serious about misogyny

And it's a genre. Those who rhyme instead of sing are still most often referred to as Rappers.
You need some schoolin', Cuz.

Jay-Z is opening for Obama.

As a member of one the early hip hop generations. To see it from Yo MTV raps to a cultural force that translates to people it originally didn't have a connection with, Yeah its amazing!