'College Dropout' rapper Kanye West promotes education in '08
Kanye West has a new cause
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) - The "Ed in '08" campaign, which is pushing for greater emphasis on education in the presidential campaigns, has a new spokesperson: rapper Kanye West.
West appears in a new public service announcement for "Ed in '08" that is now being pushed in the early caucus and primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada.
"Becoming a music superstar took hard work," West says in the ad. "But it also took a solid education."
Of course, the album that rocketed West to stardom was his 2004 debut, "The College Dropout," on which he recounts how he quit college to pursue his music career.
Then again, West's third album, which releases on Tuesday, is called "Graduation."
Just in time for 2008.
- CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby
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the irony is that this guy is a drop out....
Why does what he wants matter?????????
While I certainly don't agree with all he has to say, I could not agree more that education needs to be a greater campaign and legislative focus. To me this is the single biggest problem that our country faces today. Period. Terror takes the forefront, as they say, "If it bleads it leads." However, if the youth of our country continue to fall behind other nations, even developing nations, our country will be doomed. The loss of life on 9/11 and subsequent conflicts is staggering, but I beleive Al Qaeda continues to attack us every day by causing us to take our eye off the ball and ignore the things that will ensure the prosperity of our nation over the long haul. Education, in my opinion, is at the top of that list.
Sounds like Kanye's agent needs a way to help his declining record sales. If you want to promote education Kanye get a degree and become a teacher.
KW brought his own brand of educational style hip hop to the masses. His background shows that education in his upbringing made his lyrics a cut above the average without the guns, blood and misogyny. KW can speak to a generation that feels alienated. His efforts should be applauded and supported.
http://www.myspace.com/prophecy617
Another one hit wonder, hanging on because he thinks what he says should have importance more than what the average American thinks. What would we ever do with out the opinions of the west coast movie industry and the music folks to guide us thru life. I'll take the common sense opinion of a midwesterner any day of the week over listening to Kanye. And what would we ever do with out the CNN news giving folks like this a mouthpiece because they think it carries importance. Let me hear what a returning Iraq vet has for an opinion. Let me hear what a midwest hospital worker has to say.
Kanye is a Pretty good Producer,but his Rapping skills and Political Views has touching up to do!!!
Woowwww, what a profound paradox. It's, like, he wants education, but, like, his first album was 'College Dropout' – but then, like, his new album is 'Graduation', so, like, it all comes full circle. OMG!! LOL!!! IDK!!
Kanye West brings intelligent lyrics to hip hop music. His mother was an educator, his father a journalist.
Kanye West's lyrics are a cut above the usual gangster rap lyric. His 'ED in 08' deserves applause and support.
http://www.myspace.com/prophecy617
It's ironic to ask why it matters what Kanye West thinks on an Internet forum. I mean, you obviously believe that what you think matters enough to post it on CNN.com. Why is Kanye West's opinion any less valid for public consumption than yours? He's a citizen, same as you.
I'm sorry, but why is this news? Because he put down Bush on Katrina? Way to go again CNN on your unbiased news direction.
Kanye West would have more impact if he took his cause to the private sector. Politicians love to make promises, but rarely do they follow through, especially Democrats. See 110th Congress..
While I might not agree with everything Kanye has to say, I certainly applaud him in his campaign to bring education to the forefront of the political debate. As Marvin said above, if we don't do something to reform education in the next few years, we are going to become crippled as a nation.
But if people care about their children enough they won't let the pathetic Congress take charge of their education.
Although Kanye West has achieved commercial success, I don't think he is a suitable choice as a spokesman for education. Youth might consider his situation as a dropout and think that they, too, could be successful, as is Kanye, without an education. It would seem more appropriate to have a spokesman who is successful due to an education rather than despite it.
As an addendum to my prior post, if Kanye is really a proponent of education, and truly wants to send a concrete message to our youth, he would return to college and complete his degree. Now that would speak volumes!