President Barack Obama and rapper Common appear in a photo Common posted on his Facebook page on Oct. 21, 2010, alongside the message: @barackobama We have work to do! Were in Ohio 2day. Go vote on Tuesday Nov. 2! Me and the Pres. - Provided courtesy of facebook.com/thinkcommon

Rapper Common's White House invite defended

05/11/2011 by Corinne Heller

The White House is defending its decision to invite the rapper Common to participate in a poetry event despite criticism by media outlets such as FOX News and conservatives such as Sarah Palin.

Common, a 39-year-old Chicago native who was born Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr., has won Grammys and has collaborated with artists such as Kanye West, Joss Stone and the Jonas Brothers. The rapper has also released songs, most of which contain explicit lyrics, about poverty, sex, violence, gangs and a convicted killer.

Common and fellow artists Elizabeth Alexander, Billy Collins, Common, Rita Dove, Kenneth Goldsmith, Alison Knowles, Aimee Mann, Jill Scott and actor Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, are set to perform at a Wednesday event at the White House that explores the "impact of poetry on American culture," the White House said in a statement.

Spokesman Jay Carney said, when asked about the criticism, that Common has earned praise for being a socially conscious rapper and that Obama appreciates his work trying to get children in their Chicago hometown interested in poetry, the Associated Press reported.

"Oh lovely, White House.." Palin Tweeted in a comment about an article about Common's invite.

In its criticism of Common, FOX News cited a 2007 HBO's "Def Poetry" appearance by the rapper, during which he recited lyrics that called for the burning of President George W. Bush.

Common is a supporter of President Barack Obama and has met him before. Common said in 2009 that he thinks the president is inspiring hip-hop to become more hopeful.

"So apparently Sarah Palin and Fox News doesn't like me," Common Tweeted recently. "Politics is politics and everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I respect that. The one thing that shouldn't be questioned is my support for the police officers and troops that protect us every day. Peace yall!"

David Jones, the president of the New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association, voiced concern about Common's invitation given the rapper's song about Assata Olugbala Shakur, also known as Joanne Chesmard, ABC News said.

The Black Liberation Army member and step-aunt of rapper Tupac was convicted in 1977 of the first degree murder of a state trooper and sentenced to life in prison. In November 1979, Shakur escaped from prison and is currently living in Cuba.