rappin from the oval office

From the silver screen to the governorship of California to the White House. It was on this day last year that our Gipper passed away. As rememberence of this I have a little treat for us. During the 80s, all sorts of parody rap albums appeared, tons of which are documented over at Werner's place.

There was Rap Master Ronnie by Reathel Bean & the Doonesbury Break Crew. In the music video, Reagan takes a limo into the projects and raps to them to drum up some minority support in the upcoming election. He had the presidential seal on his socks. Then then there was the President's Rap and Contra Rap by Rich Little. He had a mini-career aping Reagan, and on Contra extended his talents to add in Nixon and Oliver North as well.

Today's focus is on Ronnie's Rapp by Ron and the D.C. Crew. In 1986, it was decided the world needed more rap records by president Ronald Reagan, and Ron and the D.C. Crew were born. Of course, when he said, "Well, I do and say just what I want, and with Congress I always win. So you better let me rock and you better let me rap, or, in eighty-eight, I'm gonna run again." Well, you've just gotta let him rap, haven't you? "Met with Gorbachev in eighty-five, to talk about how everyone can stay alive. And though he seemed to be a guy with class, if he doesn't play ball we'll nuke his... country!" The hip-hop breakdown of "Hail To the Chief" at the song's climax is especially inspiring. This is the single edit, not the Kissinger Dub Version. You think I'm kidding?

Ron and the D.C. Crew - Ronnie's Rapp