With the bidding over President Obama’s presidential library heating up between Chicago, Hawaii and New York City, a Chicago rapper has just released a video claiming that the one-time Southside community organizer owes it to Chicago.
“Southside gave you the hope that you ran on, Chicago gave the change that you stand on,” raps Rhymefest in a newly released video. “Come on man, it’s obvious. Home.”
The freestyle song, mostly taped in front of the restaurant Harold’s Chicken Shack, doesn’t mention Hawaii or New York, but makes clear that Obama was much more influenced during his years in the Windy City.
Before political life, say
Before you’ve been given a wife, yet
Before you and your daughter’s eyes met
Before the blessing the curse of being the first
It was the blessing of home that created the thirst
Rhymefest even throws in a complement to help Obama choose Chicago for his presidential library and museum, expected to be announced next year.
“You represent America’s ego in man form,” he rapped.
The Southside bid is led by the University of Chicago, which posted a story about the rap video and other efforts to win the project. The University of Illinois, nearby, is also in the hunt for the facility.
Lyrics of “Bring it on Home”
Before political life, say
Before you’ve been given a wife yet
Before you and your daughter’s eyes met
Before the blessing the curse of being the first
It was the blessing of home that created the thirst
Created an appetite for the hunger games
For the prodigal son, I know you feel the hunger pains
Come home, you got a place here
Momma made a play here, you ain’t gotta leave, you can stay here
Southside gave you the hope that you ran on
Chicago gave the change that you stand on
You represent America’s ego in man form
Come back to the nest, me and west is transformed
And you the optimist, prime the populist, signs of optimist
Come on man, it’s obvious. Home.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
