Jog My Memory - Recent Political 'Event'

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
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Okay, so recently, back in 2012 or so, there was an event at the White House. A party of some sort, I believe–a gala, or perhaps a get-together. There were musicians invited, I believe. Some of them may have been rappers.

This would have been completely un-noteworthy except that some hysterical Republican commentators depicted this event as a ‘thug party’ or ‘block party’ or something like that. There was some phrase they were using to describe the event as if it would be a wild, drunken revel at the White House (which it obviously was not).

Anyway, complete tempest in a teapot, of course. Similar to “Umbrellagate”.

Unfortunately, this has proven impossible to Google because of the dual meaning of ‘party’ in politics. Can anyone help me find a contemporary news article?

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The rapper’s name is “Common” and if you Google “rapper white house” that should get you tons of news. Cuz I don’t think they ended up inviting any more rappers to the White House after that :slight_smile:

ETA: My bad, they did invite more rappers! A guy named Big Sean rapped at the 2014 Egg Roll, and in 2013 Snoop and his family came to chill at the crib.

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I remember this, too, so I searched with my mad mojo and I think I found it:

Back in 2011, Obama celebrated his 50th birthday with a party at the White House. Fox called it “Obama’s Hip-Hop BBQ” and bitchily criticized it by saying it didn’t create any jobs.

No “thug” mentions, but there is still the obvious “hip-hop” racist dog whistle. It’s even more obvious and hilarious when you look at the screen cap at the link. There are four scaaaary hip-hop guys - Charles Barkley, Barack Obama, Chris Rock and Jay Z.

1 NBA Legend + 1 President of the United States + 1 famous Actor & Comedian + 1 actual Rap/Hip-Hop Artist & Producer = 100% HIP-HOP. You can’t argue with that math. :smiley:

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:smack:

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Jesus, and there’s the bullshit ZipperJJ mentioned. I remembered the birthday party one more. How fucking sad is it that there are multiple events that qualify? I guess any gathering Obama has where he has the GALL to allow even MORE black people into the White House is just beyond the pale. :rolleyes:

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I see what you did there.

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Among the performers that Fox described as “hip hop” were Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder.

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Thanks, guys. Now I can correct the explain xkcd wiki! (Truly, a stupendous goal)

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Jay Z is a hip hop artist? I thought his claim to fame is being married to Beyonce. :slight_smile:

That set of photos really need Neil deGrasse Tyson in it to complete the “what the?” nature of the thing. That would have turned it really scary.