Quoted: Van Hunt on Barack Obama
Excerpted by Latoya Peterson
I would like to congratulate Barack Obama on ascending to the pinnacle of American politics and public stature. Now, a friend asked if I was watching the parade for the new president. I told him “sentimentality and symbolism are not my favorite things, so I don’t enjoy watching them on full blast.” I’m sure some would say that I am negative or without hope, but, in my experience, hope is the excitement that accompanies opportunity, preparation, intelligence and a good plan. I don’t need Barack Obama to represent “hope” for me; but, I do want him to make it easier for me to have hope.—Van Hunt, on his MySpace blog
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of
merq wrote:
Van’s a musical genius*, but he’s known to ramble incoherently.
*If you haven’t heard Popular (his brilliant album that was shelved by the label just days before its scheduled release), you’re missing out on some incredible music.
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 8:38 am ¶
Latoya Peterson wrote:
@Merq –
His ramblings have gems of genius. I liked this quote because “hope is the excitement that accompanies opportunity, preparation, intelligence and a good plan.”
And how did you manage to get your hands on a copy of Popular? I got one doing a review. (And loved it!)
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 9:21 am ¶
merq wrote:
@Latoya
Desperation = Determination
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 10:28 am ¶
Niki wrote:
Anyone have any bootlegs of Popular to share? LOL
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 10:48 am ¶
Monie wrote:
It sounds like Van is a cynic like me. I don’t need Obama to help me be hopeful nor do I need him to be a role model.
I just need and want Obama to do what government should be doing. I want him to fix the things that government can fix.
I don’t want him preaching to me as an African American. I don’t want him to be so familiar with me that he feels comfortable berating me and condescending to me.
If he as President can make the playing field more level, then he’s got my support, if he can fix inner city schools then great; healthcare for all, wonderful.
Can Obama make my student loan go away? If so He’s got my vote next time around.
But like Van I can make my own hope.
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 11:09 am ¶
G.D. wrote:
what Nikki said.
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 11:18 am ¶
gina wrote:
agreed, Latoya — Merq, where can one find a copy?
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 11:25 am ¶
Kendra wrote:
Yeah, what Nikki said. I’d like a copy of this. I love Van Hunt. And I especially appreciate the cynic in him.
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 12:28 pm ¶
futurebird wrote:
I agree with him. The day was huge for me, but not emotional. I’m too worried about the future to be emotional or to pause and savor any of this.
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 1:51 pm ¶
NerAnn wrote:
Thnk Goodness! Another black skeptic. Horray!!!
He’s not a cynic, I bet he’s well versed on the reality of American politics and doesnt watch mainstream propoganda much.
sentimentality and symbolism are great things to control mass thought. Just thought ya’ll would know.
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 2:11 pm ¶
Tee wrote:
Sentimentality and Symbolism are also powerful ways to galvanize and inspire people, to remind them of what is important and to remind them what is possible.
Van Hunt may not need Obama for hope, but let us be clear that he is also speaking from a place of privilege. Let us also be clear that his privilege stems largely from many years of struggle by people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds for whom hope was essential.
I don’t know about y’all, but Im not about to let fear or uncertainty ruin this moment. Im going to enjoy it and savor it and yes, let it serve as a symbol. And I know I’ll be in good company. People all over the world are doing the same thing.
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 4:44 pm ¶
jvansteppes wrote:
Thanks for introducing me to Van Hunt.
I can’t tell if I want to sleep with him or just raid his closet.
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 5:32 pm ¶
BSK wrote:
I think this is brilliant. I am not familiar with Van Hunt (though I will look into him), but I think this is a really pragmatic view of Obama’s rise. It’s one thing to promise hope. It’s another to provide it. And hope is not Bruce Springstein singing at the Lincoln Memorial; if that makes you hopeful for the future, you’ve got another thing coming. But hope is really what Van Hunt defines it as. And if Obama can do what Monie describes, he will not only provide hope, but a realization of that hope to many people. Yes, the inspiration that Obama has provided is profound and has real social capital, but if he fails, or does not follow through on that hope, what has he done in the big picture?
Please know this is NOT an attack on Obama. I am just expressing a sentiment that providing hope is only part of the battle. Obama has succeeded there. Let’s hope he is as successful in the next stage. I am confident that he will be.
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 8:17 pm ¶
Joseph wrote:
@futurebird #9
I am really glad you said that: I have been feeling guilty for days because I wasn’t happier when Obama took office. All around me it seems like people were getting the spirit and falling out and I was just like “Hm. I hope everything will be alright…”
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 8:59 pm ¶
Latoya Peterson wrote:
@jvansteppes –
I’ve seen him live four times, interviewed him once, met him in person once, and that sleep-with-him-raid-his-closet conundrum never goes away. I’ve seen him perform in a jacket with a Mandarin collar, a turban, green slacks and gators, while his bassist was rocking a flight suit and his drummer was rocking John Lennon glasses. And his blazer game is fierce. (Easter Egg: If you look up his interview on Nerve, he actually ended up making out with his interviewer.)
@Kendra/Niki/Gina/G.D.
I haven’t seen the physical CD in a while but I think we have the audio either on my hard drive or my boyfriend’s. I’m traveling this weekend, but if Merq doesn’t check back in I’ll front a copy out to the fans.
If you are *new* to Van, I suggest copping his last two CDs. My personal faves:
Van Hunt
Highlights
Hello, Goodbye
Down Here in Hell (With You)
Who Will Love Me in Winter?
On the Jungle Floor
At the End of a Slow Dance
Priest or Police
Ride, Ride, Ride
Mean Sleep (feat Nikki Costa) [ULTIMATE BREAKUP SONG! I think I had this joint on repeat for a month!]
I also check in to Van’s Myspace periodically because he puts out the hottest remixes there. For example “Character” has a remix with Common doing a verse and Anything to Get Your Attention has the “Nethingtagetura10chin” remix. And it kills me because you can’t buy the remixes and they never end up on the albums!!!
[/Vangirl drooling.]
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 9:48 pm ¶
Latoya Peterson wrote:
Oh, and if anyone cares:
Here’s the interview I did with Van for Clutch:
http://clutchmagonline.com/lifeculture/feature/van-hunt/
And you can listen to “Turn My TV On” and “The Lowest One of My Desires:” here:
http://www.bluenote.com/vanhunt/popular/
And I’m really done.
[/fangirl]
[/vangirl]
Posted 23 Jan 2009 at 9:55 pm ¶
pololly wrote:
> Sentimentality and Symbolism are also powerful ways to galvanize and inspire people, to remind them of what is important and to remind them what is possible.
Van Hunt may not need Obama for hope, but let us be clear that he is also speaking from a place of privilege. Let us also be clear that his privilege stems largely from many years of struggle by people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds for whom hope was essential.
I don’t know about y’all, but I’m not about to let fear or uncertainty ruin this moment. Im going to enjoy it and savor it and yes, let it serve as a symbol. And I know I’ll be in good company. People all over the world are doing the same thing.<
This.
It’s all well and good to drink the haterade but my eight year old nephew has rewatched the inauguration three times already. There are plenty of other less positive ‘role models’ he could be watching.
And if symbolism and representation doesn’t matter, what exactly is the point of this blog?
Posted 24 Jan 2009 at 12:26 pm ¶
BSK wrote:
Latoya-
You recommend COPYING those albums? You better hope the RIAA isn’t read this blog.
*Pause to ponder likelihood of that*
Posted 24 Jan 2009 at 3:53 pm ¶
Kaonashi wrote:
On the Jungle Floor is one of the best CDs EVER.
Um, add me to the list of people wanting Popular?
Posted 24 Jan 2009 at 5:22 pm ¶
Latoya Peterson wrote:
@BSK = To cop, as in to go get. Not illegal downloading.
However, I wish the RIAA would – I have a lot of beef with them for not supplying the music in a manner accessible to me so that I can pay them and the artist. For example, there’s nothing to do with Van’s CD, BUT share it – copyright issues mean it will never be sold. Same thing with music from other countries – trying to legally buy it is much more difficult than just downloading it and the industry needs to realize that the internet isn’t going away.
*steps off soapbox*
Posted 24 Jan 2009 at 8:39 pm ¶
MoeHailstone wrote:
Fuck his opinion…not letting some silly ass musician sully such a moment. Hope is a good thing…now if this sorry ass musician was still a regular guy that had a normal job he’d know what hope meant to those that aren’t well to do. In many cases its all that someone has to hold on to while they improve their own situation. Barack inspire the world and get your work done. Many are watching you, many more are inspired by you. Do your thing
Posted 24 Jan 2009 at 10:27 pm ¶
Dom wrote:
I think what he said was perfect.
Posted 25 Jan 2009 at 5:24 am ¶
Sami wrote:
I realised that things had started to change, at least somewhat, when I caught myself saying:
“The thing I just can’t get over is that he’s so ARTICULATE!” and realised that the unspoken clause there was: “… for an American president!”
Posted 25 Jan 2009 at 9:05 am ¶
merq wrote:
Here are my picks, Latoya.
Van Hunt:
Seconds of Pleasure
Highlights
Down Here in Hell (With You)
On the Jungle Floor:
If I Take You Home (Upon…)
Hot Stage Lights
Being a Girl
At the End of a Slow Dance
Mean Sleep
Popular:
Turn My TV On
Ur Personal Army
Popular/ Count’s Coda
The Lowest 1 Of My Desires
Posted 25 Jan 2009 at 6:17 pm ¶
yesand... wrote:
There are those who want to deindividuate into an ocean of spangled banners, high hopes, and fanfare.
There are those who want to exhale in relief and recline in a new political season after a historic moment.
There are those who want to see big talkers put their money where their mouth is.
Any of these are appropriate attitudes, and I don’t think less of anyone for feeling any of these kinds of sentiments. I tend to gravitate toward the last one, because there have been many leaders in many different countries and contexts who have ascended amid an orgy of hope and victory, only to deflate their supporters’ hopes in office.
What bothers me is that people can’t acknowledge that they WANT to feel how they feel right now, because of where they have been in their lives. Some people need X to feel Y, which they have been wanting to feel for so long, that it could be W, and they will still feel it anyways because it is an excuse to feel “up” for once in their lives. And that’s fine.
I know a lot of old people who see Barack and still ask “well, what is he going to do for the common person?” because they have seen big talkers come and go too many times. People who have been disappointed over and over don’t want to get all riled up until they see some results, some concrete evidence to shout about.
Some people don’t have role models to look up to, so Obama fill that role.
Some people don’t feel proud of themselves or their heritage, so Obama fills that role.
Some people don’t feel proud of their country, so Obama fills that role.
This is not a binary Hopers vs. Cynics debate. This is not “Haterade” vs. “Kool-Aid”.
There is more to the presidency than what the average citizen knows about, and there is more to Barack than any of us can know, since we aren’t a fly on his shoulder. He is a canvas for you to project onto him what you want him to be. Nobody here is talking about the bills he signed, or the commitments he’s made or the people he’s put in his cabinet. That shows that he is a blank canvas to the average citizen. If you want to feel hopeful, you will, but it’s not because of his actions, it’s because you want him to fill you up with that lovely feeling.
The young ones can’t remember being lied to and betrayed by their heroes. I really hope for their sake that doesn’t happen this time, but I don’t blame people for expecting history to repeat itself. The sun has risen every day since people can remember. Politics has been dirty and corrupt since people can remember, and just because there’s an eclipse doesn’t mean the sun doesn’t exist anymore.
Enjoy the honeymoon…in 9 months there will be dirty diapers stinking up the garbage can.
GOBAMA!
Posted 25 Jan 2009 at 7:43 pm ¶
anon wrote:
some seem to think this quote as cynical or negative, but I see it as real. i don’t think Van means to deny Obama’s accomplishments and what his presence in American politics mean to the American people. i’m sure that Obama is the best man in Washington that could make sound decisions for the benefit of all. yet, at the end of the day, we can’t look up to him as if he is the final solution to such big problem – ‘hope’ should not be embodied by a person, but cultivated in all of us. my favorite portion of Van’s quote is “I do want him to make it easier to hope” because I see Obama’s presidency as a path to better govt decisions and citizen involvement. He can lead us to hope, whether this may be affordable schools, accessible health care, or approachable foreign relations policies, but it is up to us to become politically aware, hold the govt accountable, and seize the opportunities that Obama’s presidency may produce.
Posted 26 Jan 2009 at 6:22 am ¶
chimera wrote:
yesand…
Thank you so much for your post.
Posted 26 Jan 2009 at 2:42 pm ¶
Madame Zenobia wrote:
Please add me to the list for “Popular”.
And I concur, On the Jungle Floor is PURE GENIUS.
Posted 26 Jan 2009 at 10:30 pm ¶
Westerly wrote:
I’m not in a position of privilege but Van Hunt actually made some sense to me. He has said one of the least ’stupid’ sounding things about the inauguration that I’ve heard thus far.
In the end, people are free to feel about it as they please. Taking a measured ‘wait-and-see’ approach doesn’t make someone a PUMA, ‘a hater’ or a privileged ‘ass’.
Posted 26 Jan 2009 at 11:49 pm ¶
deb wrote:
If I were 17-years old right now and hearing Van Hunt’s “Popular” for the first time, it would probrably have the affect on me that Prince’s “Dirty Mind” did why back when.
I’m lovin’ “The Lowest 1 Of My Desires” so much!
Posted 27 Jan 2009 at 6:03 pm ¶
Orville wrote:
Why don’t people make up their own minds and decisions? Why is Racialicious even posting the opinion of some entertainer? Whatever! At least in the United States you have a black president! I believe Obama’s victory is incredible and means progress.
Now as a foreigner I do believe that Obama’s victory is very important and incredible. However, I also believe individuals should try harder to make their own lives better instead of waiting for a politiican to make a difference.
Posted 27 Jan 2009 at 9:01 pm ¶
L. wrote:
“Why is Racialicious even posting the opinion of some entertainer? ”
From the site’s sidebar:
“Racialicious is a blog about the intersection of race and pop culture. ”
Historical election of a black president + opinion of an entertainer= intersection of race and popular culture
Posted 27 Jan 2009 at 10:36 pm ¶
pololly wrote:
I think Orville’s point is that why is it any more valid than anyone’s here. Let’s be honest – his music is slightly counter cultural so he’s getting a ton of leeway. If Will Smith had said this he’d be getting his pants pulled down right now.
Whatever.
I also think the gap is not between haters and kool-aid drinkers. I think it’s between people who see the world as it is and people who don’t. I just disagree about which side likes Obama. Sure if you’re a musician and you think everyone resides is your stupid detached cynicism, then no one is good enough for you. By definition we’re all followers and since your whole identity is tied up in going against the crowd, how can you enjoy it? But this is like the difference between ‘a street’ and ‘the streets’; people who blog on myspace think it’s ‘the streets’, for people who receive the poor education, experience crime , poverty and police brutality, it’s a street.
Despite Van Hunt’s jaunty hat, the latter has a better grip on what the world actually looks like.
Where are people like Van Hunt when all the hard work is to be done, eh? I know people like this guy – they believe in myspace and not wearing suits. Other people put on suits and go to work – guess who makes the changes? I won’t be limited by people like that and neither will President Obama.
By the way – no one is projecting onto Obama. We know that presidents can be competent or incompetent, mean spirited or open minded and it makes a difference. I don’t expect him to bring peace to the middle east but he’s going to be better than Bush.
And what’s the point of decrying symbolic victories? We are honestly gonna agree that we need more black journalists but turn our noses up at a black president. I’m not gonna wade through the (likely) self serving crap that is his blog but I bet he’s got plenty to say ‘hip hop’ or tv shows or other random cultural phenomena. Where are his priorities? I see, writing some songs and blogging about it will end racist patriarchy – gee, thanks.
Idiot. I just look at him and know I’d hate him if I met him. Probably takes himself soooo seriously – why doesn’t he go sell that hat and give the money to charity?
Posted 29 Jan 2009 at 8:43 am ¶
Latoya Peterson wrote:
Some of y’all need to chill.
I posted an interesting, counter opinion from Van Hunt on Obama’s inauguration that had a good line about the conditions of hope.
If you don’t agree, you don’t agree. But it doesn’t need to get that heated. Chill.
Posted 29 Jan 2009 at 10:12 am ¶
pololly wrote:
Lol
Really don’t like the hat
Posted 29 Jan 2009 at 12:44 pm ¶
Kendra wrote:
@ Latoya:
The link you gave doesn’t seem to be producing sound anymore so I was wondering if you could send me an audio copy of “Lowest 1 of My Desires.” That’s the only song I need, really.
Posted 08 Mar 2009 at 5:29 am ¶
thad wrote:
van. hunt.genious. period.
hear all his stuff on imeem.com. them go hear him play live.
my hope is one day van is kanye, john legend, or t-pain kind of “popular”. lawd knows he deserves it.
Posted 19 Oct 2009 at 8:17 pm ¶