One of the first comments I posted about Senator Barack Obama here on Daily Kos was "If he runs, he'll stir up some excitement, energize some new democratic voters, and raise the bar for public speaking. That can't be a bad thing even if he doesn't make it on to the ticket." I seem to have drastically understated things.
However, it remains true that one of the most exciting and most progressive aspects of Obama's candidacy is the incredibly wide range of people he continues to energize and inspire. The appeal of Obama, though, has already spread far beyond the borders of U.S. politics. He is a world figure now, and the people he is inspiring are not just those here at home, but people around the globe. One way this can be seen is in the music Obama is inspiring globally.
Below is a sampling of some of the tastiest worldbeat music currently being produced as tributes to the hope Barack Obama is bringing to people everywhere. It's hard to overemphasize how much a President Obama will mean not just here at home, but to the entire world. Enjoy!
First up is Fojeba, an Afrobeat musician born in Cameroon and living in Canada, who gives us "Ready to Go," a Central African makossa. Like will.i.am's "Yes We Can", Fojeba uses Obama's own words into the music including his signature "Fired Up, Ready to Go" as a refrain. The mix is then wound around the intricate rhythms of the makossa and tied together by his wonderful guitar work.
Next up, from Trinidad, Mighty Sparrow, the Calypso King of the World, whose career spans over five decades and whose music spans the globe, gives us "Barack the Magnificent." You may dance.
Here's a few lines from the magnificent lyrics:
The respect of the world that we now lack,
If you want it back, then vote Barack!
Because this time we come out to vote!
Stop the war!
Stop genocide in Darfur!
No matter what,
Get health care for who have not!
The Foreign Relations Committee,
Can attest to his tenacity,
For homeland and job security.
He stood his ground
When the war was a conception,
Said it was wrong,
So he didn’t go along,
Jim Baker and Lee Hamilton
They said of Barack’s opinion,
"He’s a man of resplendent vision! ...
Barack! Barack!
On the Senate Affair Committee he’s a giant!
Barack!
Dignifiedly resilient,
And with rock star status he’s Barack The Magnificent! ...
Barack! Barack!
The first black President to lead this mighty nation!
Barack!
We’ll regain worldwide respect
with Obama’s vision and excellent comprehension!
There is also this amazing Latino Mix Video:
The video ranges from Viva Obama, a corrido performed by a sharp-dressed mariachi band to La Caminata, a reggaeton blending Latin American and hip-hop beats: "Como Se Dice... Como Se llama? OBAMA! OBAMA!" It also includes the poignant, acoustic Si Se Puede Cambiar from Columbian artist Andres Useche along with this much rowdier video.
The final offering comes from Jamaican reggae legend Coco Tea. "Well this is not about class nor color, race nor creed. Make no mistake it's the changes, what all the people them need. Let me shout out: Barack Obama!" Dance for change!
For those hungry for more, there is also a new disk out by Kenyan musical hero Tony Nyadundo bearing the title of another Kenyan hero... Obama.
I tried to find some world music inspired by John McCain, but came up empty. Evidently, Republicans don't dance.