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US President in waiting Barack Obama today name checked superstar rapper Lil Wayne during a speech intended to encourage young people to stay in school.
The ‘tough love’ message directed toward the nation’s African American youth was an attempt to illustrate the importance of a high school education above an attempt at employment in the professional sports arena or the music industry.
“You are probably not that good a rapper. Maybe you are the next Lil Wayne, but probably not, in which case you need to stay in school,” announced Obama to a cheering crowd in Powder Springs, Georgia.
In the speech the Democratic nominee spoke of high school drop-out rates and the need for students to be more committed to their education in order to develop a successful career post-school years.
Crossing the pop culture/political divide is a dangerous move for any figure, but for the most celebrated rap artist of 2008 it’s a bit of a coup.
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