NPR: Obama's iPod Playlist Revealed

Obama's iPod Playlist Revealed

Barack Obama poses for the cover of Rolling Stone, June 2008.

Rolling Stone

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama gives readers an inside look into his personal music habits via the ubiquitous iPod.

From jazz legends Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker to Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen -- his playlist certainly covers some ground.

What about Snoop and Dre? Asked what he thought of rap, Obama said the genre has broken down barriers within the music world, though he's concerned about his two young daughters listening to it.

"I am troubled sometimes by the misogyny and materialism of a lot of rap lyrics," he said, "but I think the genius of the art form has shifted the culture and helped to desegregate music."

He said hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and rappers Jay-Z and Ludacris were "great talents and great businessmen."

"It would be nice if I could have my daughters listen to their music without me worrying that they were getting bad images of themselves," he added.

The current issue of Rolling Stone is on newsstands now. What do you make of Obama's musical tastes? Do you agree with his sentiments about hip hop? Leave us a comment below.

Geoffrey Gardner

11:43 AM ET | 06-26-2008 | permalink

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The contribution to the world that is Hip Hop far outweighs what is negative about it. Whenever you hear a controversial song, just remind yourself that the guy singing it has spent hundreds of hours crafting the beats, melody, words, and flow in that song. He is not on the street, he's not committing crimes. He's creating a complex piece of music.
The neighborhood that he grew up in was probably not safe and what he participated in may have been traumatic, but how he's choosing to translate that experience is a priceless gift (like Rock, Jazz and the Blues) even if what is in his mind is troubling.
So yes, I agree with what Obama is saying about it. Thus, it is the most listened to music in the world.

Sent by Ezra | 6:36 PM ET | 06-26-2008

Just think, Obama now has to be careful about what he has on his iPod. I'm sure there's an entire segment of Fox news devoted to drumming up a "scandal" about his musical tastes.

Sent by deadplanet | 4:40 PM ET | 06-27-2008

Do you honestly expect our next president to listen to "Gin and Juice" during his down time? Did anyone ask why doesn't he have Def Leppard on there, or perhaps the new Miley Cyrus club hit? Do better, NPR! I'm a Black woman who grew up in the hip-hop era and *I* don't even have Snoop on my ipod-- and I'm half Obama's age! Not all Black people listen to Dr. Dre or rap music, in general. I don't expect Senator Obama to care about hip-hop any more than any other father (like mine) does. He probably worries about the effect of Paris Hilton or reality tv on his daughters, too.

Sent by Susie Stentor | 2:38 AM ET | 06-28-2008

Senator Obama is totally founded in his concern over the impact that certain rap and hip hop lyrics may have on his daughters, as I am sure all concerned parents are, no matter there race or gender. In my listening experience these types of music do not send out positive female imagery. I believe it shows his commitment to raising his children with a positive self image, I also feel if he had sons he would feel the same way.

Sent by Kristi | 2:12 PM ET | 07-10-2008

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