THE FACTS
Common believes Barack Obama’s presidential victory will influence rappers to rhyme about more positive messages. 

THE SPIN
Common thinks people are getting tired of rappers writing about guns, drugs, and crime and he has high hopes that the Man of Hope’s White House win will spur a shift in subject matter.

Contact Music quotes Common saying, “I really do believe we, as hip-hop artists, pick up what’s going on in the world. I think hip-hop artists will have no choice but to talk about different things and more positive things. Try to bring a brighter side to that because, even before Barack, I think people had been tired of hearing the same thing.”

So sayeth the man who just dropped a party album. OK, I’m kidding. Common’s always been more of the “conscious rappers,” so it’s not like he’s rhyming like he just stepped out the plantation or the set of the Sopranos.

But is he right in believing Obama will lead to rappers expanding their topics of choice or is he being overly optimistic?

YOUR SPIN: Do you agree with Common Sense?  Tell us here.

Images courtesy of mtv.com.

(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One.  TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

THE FACTS
Beyonce was overcome with emotion while visiting a drug rehabilitation facility in preparation for her role in the film Cadillac Records. 

THE SPIN
When you lead a life as privileged as she does, I would imagine Beyonce typically only cries when Popeye’s runs out of red beans and rice. It’s good to read that more serious matters concern her, too.

While prepping for her role as Etta James – which includes tackling James’ noted drug usage – Beyonce sought to gain a better understanding of the struggle addicts face. So she arranged a meeting with six Black women who have battled drugs. She visited a Brooklyn drop in-center and ended up breaking down in tears.

Contact Music quotes her saying, “I said, ‘I have to do this movie’ - but I was terrified. I never tried drugs in my life so I didn’t know about it all. It was hard to go to rehab. I learned a lot about life and myself.”

YOUR SPIN: Should all celebs humble have experiences like this?  Tell us here.

(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One.  TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)

THE FACTS
Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith were recently invited by California’s senior Hindus to worship with them.

THE SPIN
Jada recently revealed she was giving her kids basic teachings from all major religions, including Hinduism. This in turn sparked U.S. Hindu leader Rajan Zed to invite the actress to study with them and help promote the religion worldwide.

Anyway, the Smiths have been invited to join Zed at his temple and he’s packaging up a series of books about the religion as a gift to the Hollywood couple.

Contact Music quotes Zed saying, “I applaud Jada Pinkett Smith’s statement that she and her children study world religions as a family. I’d like to invite them all to a Hindu temple, so they can have first hand experience of Hinduism. I have arranged to supply a set of Hindu scriptures to help Jada Pinkett Smith and her family grasp the comprehensive understanding of Hinduism.”

He went on to add, “Hollywood has such a worldwide reach and it’s encouraging when its biggest stars become familiar with at least the basics of world religions. I wish this were commonplace in Hollywood, for then producers and studio executives would understand the feelings of their audiences better.”

That’s bad when even Hindus are courting celebrity spokespersons. Scientologists, watch your folk.

YOUR SPIN: Will you catch the Smith’s in a regular Baptist church anymore?  Tell us here.

Images courtesy of eontarionow.com.

(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One.  TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)