Black musicians hold mixed views on Obama

April 19, 2009, 7 p.m. - Rap icon K.R.S.-One has changed his tune on President Barack Obama, saying that he is not supporting the president because of his concerns about corporate elites.

"If they controlled it before, what makes you think they're not controlling it now," the rapper said in a documentary bashing the first black president.

"The country was on the verge of revolution [and] they threw a black man up, now we like this," he said as he reclined in his chair.

"They put a black face on the New World Order and now we all happy," he continued. "KRS ain't buying it."

Public Enemy's former member Professor Griff, who also appeared in the film, agreed.

"Obama has been given a pass by the bluebloods. He has been given the okay by certain secret societies for them to let him in," Griff said in dated footage. "I truly believe imperialism and fascism needs a facelift and the facelift is going to have to be black."

Both rappers' remarks were aired in the recently released documentary, "The Obama Deception." The film, which is directed by talk radio host Alex Jones, is critical of the president and questions Obama's ties to Wall Street and his ability to keep promises.

K.R.S.-One's remarks mark a change in his stance on Obama. In June of last year, he said that he thought it was "great for America" that Obama was running.

Griff, however, has made it clear that he was never an Obama supporter. He supported Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney.

The two rappers comments come as top-selling rap artist Lil' Wayne told Rolling Stone magazine, in a recent interview, that he barely paid attention to Obama's inauguration. He spent his time flipping between the most watched television event and a sports program.

"Show me the change," Wayne cynically told the magazine.

Obama, in contrast, has recognized Wayne's clout in the rap world by telling kids in July: "You are probably not that good a rapper. Maybe you are the next Lil' Wayne, but probably not. In which case, you need to stay in school."

Still, Oscar-winning actor and music recording star Jamie Foxx, who has been invited to speak for Obama, said that fellow actor Will Smith and the president are bringing inspiring change.

"Just look at Barack Obama," Foxx told Uptown Magazine. "So we dont have an excuse."