Above: The original version of “O-Bama O-Bama” (re-dubbed “Obama Milli” by the public at large)!
This week’s song/music video is called “Obama, Obama” (Re-produced by ME, Inspired by Lil’ Wayne and Bangladesh).
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INSIGHT INTO A SONG:
I’ve been a fan of “Weird Al” Yankovic since the 1980s. His parodying of other people’s songs were always hilarious to me, and when I started writing songs I basically did what he did: took a subject, found a song that I could bastardize with said subject, and make the old song funny via my new song.
Eventually I started writing my own songs sans the parody, but every once in a while a song will come out that makes me think of a chorus or song lyric that makes it worth trying to remake the original.
It is with that thought that I present today’s song, “Obama Obama.” It’s a remake (read: not a direct parody) of one of the hottest songs out right now, Lil’ Wayne’s “A Milli.” I swear, everywhere I walk in Atlanta I hear cars passing by playing that song… but it hasn’t gotten old to me yet!
Originally, I was going to remake the song saying my initials in lieu of the words “A Milli” (i.e. “A.P.T., A.P.T., A.P.T., A.P.T….” yeah, it matches up – go ahead and try it!), but I didn’t think that would make the song funny enough in concept. Then, one day at work, it just hit me: instead of saying my name, I could use Obama’s! That would give me a whole LOT to write about!
People think making a parody song is easy. WRONG! I spent more time on this one song that on all the other songs I have on here so far (except for “Erectile Dysfunction,” which is a REAL parody and took a while to write).
Unlike an original song, a re-make/parody has to have other elements that will make people laugh. The song structure has to be similar to the original, as does the beat, certain ad-libs, voice inflection… parodying is a JOB, people!! As such, I had to listen to that darn “A Milli” song about 50,000 times this week before I could even start writing it!
And with the subject matter – Barack Obama – there’s so many angles I could write from. I wanted to try and bring mention to as many Barack-related election issues as possible. Not issues in the sense of “this is what Obama’s all about,” but more like, “these are some of the things that have been tied to his campaign.” In the course of the song, I mention the flag pin thing, his middle name being Hussein, Pastor Wright, the KKK, and other things I won’t mention because I don’t want to give away the whole song here 🙂
Once I finished writing the song, I had to go back and try to mock Lil’ Wayne. He raps like a skitzo on the song, constantly changing his flow and pronunciation of words, so when I recorded it I had to record each set of verse by itself, listening to Wayne’s version immediately before recording mine. Truly, again, it was like a JOB, only fun!
Some Interesting Song Tidbits:
(1) Because I couldn’t find the original beat without the words “A Milli” being said over and over again, I had to re-make the beat from scratch. I have a Fruity Loops program, and, after studying the original beat very carefully, I realized how simplistic it is: outside of the “A Milli” sample, the entire beat is nothing more than an 808 drum, a clap, and a tap drum, played in the same pattern ad nausea! I can’t believe the original person got PAID for it – and probably a lot, too!
(2) Re-doing Lil’ Wayne’s voice is hard. My usual voice is a little deep, but Weezy sounds… well, Weezy, and nasely. That’s why my voice in this song sounds higher and more strained than usual.
(3) My favorite line in the song is the one following the line: “Rednecks saaaay he won’t beat John McCain…” I won’t spoil it for you here, but needless to say, some racist White people have some very dumb reasons NOT to vote for Barack!
INSIGHT INTO A VIDEO SHOOT:
Coming up with a video idea for this song was even HARDER. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and there were many direction I could go.
My first idea was to act like I was a representative speaking on behalf of Barack, but I didn’t have a podium for a prop. The second idea was to dress up like Lil’ Wayne – I almost did this, and was going to buy a dread lock wig… but when I called the costume/wig shop they said it would cost more than I wanted to spend. Too bad – I think I could have pulled it off (except for me being light-skinned and Wayne being… well, much darker!).
By the time Saturday hit, I still didn’t have too much of a concept, other than I wanted to hang up a blue background with pics of Obama campaign signs behind me. I also knew I didn’t just want to spend the whole video in one outfit. I filmed the first segment with me wearing the blue striped shirt and black dress pants, and was trying to figure out what to wear next…
And that’s when it hit me: I could be three characters, each one representing a potential Obama voter!
When you see the video, the guy in the blue-striped shirt is the middle-aged working guy. The second person – the one with shorts, a sideways hat, and a “Las Vegas” shirt – is an older teenager (18 or 19 – I can still pull it off for a few more years!). The third guy – wearing a brown jacket-like shirt over a white shirt with brown slacks – is an older gentleman. Looking back, I wish I had whited up my thin beard with flour… but his movements are slower than the other two, so hopefully it’ll be distinquishable.
I also decided to keep the camera in one position. I got this idea from my last video, “Smile 4 Dad (Letter 2 My Father), where I did a small scene with me in front of a stone statue, and sliced it up to look like I was in different places chopped-up style. The result is I am constantly changing into 3 people, while having it look like the rest of the scene is stationary. GENIUS!
Some Interseting Video Tidbits:
(1) I use pictures throughout the video. There is one girl you will see in various video pics – her name… will not be given out on the internet until I get the okay to do so, but she is a very good friend of mine and a HUGE Barack Obama supporter. I wanted her to film a small part for me to include in the video and send it to me (she lives in another state), but she had to go out of town. Luckily, she was nice enough to allow me to use some of her pics from one of the Obama rallys she went to. It’s so nice to have friends that want to help out, so THANK YOU!!
(2) I printed out the Obama signs used in the background. The one hanging by itself near the left of the camera starts out blue at the top, and starts turning pink at the bottom. The reason: my printer started to run out of ink. Such is the world of home-made music videos!
(3) Actual shoot time for this video took about an hour. Actual edit time: about 8 hours. Editing is NOT as easy as it looks. I say that to say: I worked hard on this video, so SHOW IT TO EVERYBODY YOU CAN!!
That’s all for now – see you next Sunday!
-A.P.T.
P.S. Here are the lyrics to “Obama Obama,” as requested by… well, many people:
Intro:
A.P.T.!
Yeah I’m goin’ in…
Verse 1:
Call him “President,” he’s the next new President here
Senator, from Illinois, yeah
His criteria compared to John McCain just isn’t fair
Cause he’s B-L-A-C, so the eyes are on he
Through his pencil, he write legislation, with the country on his mind
And he don’t coat ish, cause he ain’t got time
Every second, minute, hour, KKK wanna devour
He got guards ready to pop ‘em, with their ch-ch-ch-ch-choppers
Every brother, mother, sister, cousin, grandma wanna hump him
Even got Hilary Clinton on the side ready to jump him
Tell the Clintons “Ha ha ha ha,” couldn’t catch him, couldn’t stop him
They go by the party rules, if you can’t beat him, you can’t top him
Thought she’d smack him, couldn’t pop ‘em, Delegates, couldn’t cop ‘em
Bill Clinton couldn’t help her, too bad she couldn’t drop ‘em, woo!
Man, Obama‘s so Illlll…
Verse 2:
Obama goes here, Obama goes there
Sayin’ “Yes We Can” with wife Michelly, he’s hittin’ that derriere
He travel to Arizona, ready to cause some drama
Hopin’ McCain will comment, “Look at that bastard Obama
He’s too young, he’s too hip, Negros always ‘causin’ problems”
His pale-lookin’ face got him lookin’ like a goblin!
Mac-Cain, Mac-Cain, please don’t vote for Mac-Cain
First day up in office, talkin’ ‘bout some heart pains
Call the ambulance, QUICK! All you hear is sirens
His temper isn’t private – Dang, I hate a mad prick
Don’t you hate a mad prick? Plus, McCain’s an old prick
Barack’s a younger guy, So choose him, he’s the right pick
(Laugh) But if you choose the wrong pick
Your step-son’ll probably end up in Iraq quick!
His health clan plan is so immac’late
So even if your broke, and can’t afford to take a doc trip
You’ll be feelin’ much better – not sick
And, he’s okay, but his wife’s sick
And her back’s thick, And her walk’s slick
She’s a fly chick – I’d hit!
Man, Obama‘s so Illlll…
Verse 3:
He’s makin’ history like X, King and Douglas, and RFK
Obama, he’s that “new black,” true that
Red-necks saaaay “He won’t beat John McCain
He don’t wear a flag pin, his middle name’s Hussein,” but
Who gon’ be dat boy dat doubt dat boy dey call “Obama”
Got Republicans sweatin’ like they up in Saunas (whew!)
Even McCain’s 90-something mama
Be ready to pull his lever every hour (Laugh)
And I’d rather eat a field mouse
Than to see John McCain in the White House
Vote Obama in, and I promise
He won’t turn back into some Uncle Thomas (Aaaaaa!)
No Aunt Jemimah or Southern Fried chicken
Call him “Chief Obama,” or “Mr. Keeps on Tickin”
Man, Pastor Wright’s comments couldn’t stop his tally
Even Oprah Winfrey said she was behind him
People, I say this country’s no hope without him
But he’s gotta go out and relate to everybody
He do what he do, like give his wife a hug and then a fist dap
Gotta do that stuff in public, so the hood’ll know that –
He’s black
Gotta use big words, white people love to hear it
If they hear it, they don’t fear him, they don’t know him, but they feel him
That’s real….
Obama… ‘08… White House, a-ha!
E-Mail: aptsongs@hotmail.com
MySpace: www.myspace.com/NotoriousAPT
yo bro i like the whole obama millie remix its classy with meaning bro email me and i think we should make a song bro using like good instrumentals but like a song which u noe gets ppl thinkin ,email me if you might wanna do it
i love this song. GO OBAMA
Love the track. Heard it on Ryan Cameron’s show yesterday (didn’t he jump on a verse tho?) Since you’re computer saavy i was wondering if you have twitter yet? Either way, I posted you up there! Good luck!
i heard a piece of this on ryan cameron and was in the car cracking up. the whole version was really worth searching for! are you on myspace? i’ll add this song on my page if you are.
Love the Obama Obama remix. Solid work. Slid you a small PayPal donation in appreciation. Keep up the good work.
Amazing video– I had so many friends watch it who keep passing it on. True talent my friend. Great subject matter and delivery as well. Keep up the good work.
NICE lyrics
Clever how you kept the structure of Lil Wayne’s lyrics but made it original
NICE………..CAN I PLZ HAVE THE LYRICS
This song go.
a kid in my class played this song for us, and ive wanted it since.
hey u should get this song put on iTunes cuz my friends n I would love 2 buy it!!
I love this even better than “A Milli”, and the lyrics are great! I love rapping along. ;D It’s so catchy and true; great, great job.
This song is emmaculated. Well put together… YOU did this so it could be funny but hunny that there Obama Obama its a damn “HIT”
“DON’T YOU HATE A MAD PRICK”!
LEGITT
how did u take the vocals off that song
nice song
that part about michelle was freakin hilarious.
this is awesome! my class of four year olds is having their own mock election on monday and i’m gonna play this song tomorrow. keep up the good work!
my name iz Young Bama the illest 14year old rapper there was>is>will ever be. I the creater of who need change vote McCain!?! I must admitt this song is ill. I’ll give you a 100% props on this. You made me change my whole view on the candiants. Would you mind if I did a remix on this song? PLEZZ!!!!!!!!!!
thanx
hot baby hot!
I’m hella mad. I love this song. I’m the one that told my daughter about it. I’ve tried every link known to man even those posted by A.P.T. tryin to download this song. I was even willing to pay for it. And not one link worked. Hella frustrating. I wanted to bump this song on election nite. The official Obama afterparty was in downtown Oakland. The streets were filled with people black and white and everything in between dancing, singing hugging. Ghostriding they whips. My pretty mixed daughter dancing out my sunroof shouting, Obama, Obama. Horns honking, hundreds dancing outside Lukas, Everrett & Jones. Even I got out my car and danced beside it in the middle of Broadway. The only thing missing was this song. And I’m 49, half Spanish, half white. Add that to your demographics young ‘un. You got more fans than you know. And you’d have more if I could download this song and spread it all over the Town. They would love it if I could share it. But not everyone in Oakland has a computer or can get online. So can a hip mama get some help with this download?
aye dawg the nite of the election i was bumping this hard, i was going insane mane. anyway if you got myspace i’ll add yo on fo sho and yo song. stay at it mane hopefully u get sumthing good out of this yo stay down and maintain wodi. get at me dawg. PcE
i adore this video it’s really great.and obama u’re the best i trust you u’re gonna do great things dear
i adore this video it’s great.i hope obama to enjoys it waoooooooo
IT DON’T GET NO BETTER THAN THIS SONG. SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lol. I rofl’d when I heard this song
that was the best song bro
just so you know…your song was featured last friday 23rd Jan 09 on bbc 1xtra black radio — hip hop show f/DJ Semtex. How hip-hop helped influence the election. congrats!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/semtex/archive.shtml
click the 23 Jan Friday link
Jay Z – My president is black
Ron Broz ft Busta Rhymes – We Pop Champagne (Barack remix)
Nas – Black President
Common – The People
Common Interview
Common – Changes
Barack Obama speaks about the art of Hip-Hop
Joel Ortiz Freestyle (Letter to the president)
Jadakiss – Why
Jay-Z & Lil Wayne – A Billie Freestyle
Kids in the Hall Interview – The importance of the Vote
Kids in the Hall ft Pusher T, Clipse, Cool Kids & – Driving down the Block (remix)
Nelly Interview: Hip-Hop and the Electoral Process
Nelly ft Chuck D – Self Esteem
Nas Interview: Did the music really influence the outcome?
Nas & Jay-Z – Black Republicans
Green Lantern Interview: Was the election perceived as a success for Hip-Hop?
Nas – Election Night
Roze: Inaugeration celebrations from a Hip-Hop perspective
Roze – Dedicated
APT – Obama
Ludacris Drama: Hip-Hop’s negative impact on the campaign
Lupe Fiasco Interview: Hip Hop is not the affiliation a politician wants
Lil Brother Interview: Why Barack is still so accessible
Barack Obama: His favourite Hip-Hop artists & their potential to make a difference
Kids in the Hall – Work to do
Papoose – Test
Public Enemy Interview: Expectations from the Hip-Hop Community
Busta Rhymes Interview: Does Barack have what it takes?
Busta Rhymes ft Linkin Park – We Made It
Jay-Z – History
Charles Hamilton – Brooklyn Girls
Roze: Can the US President influence the future sound of Hip-Hop?
Charles Hamilton, BOB & Asher Roth – Change gonna Come
Sway, N Dubz, Natty & DJ Ironik Interview: Could the US electoral phenomenon happen in the UK
Will.I.am – Yes we can
BOB – I’ll be in the Sky
Durrty Goodz – Hard Times
Hey APT! I love the Obama Song, and I have sent a link of the video to so many people that it isn’t even funny. I love this song soo much more that the regular A Milli version. I have requested this song on many radio stations, and I won’t stop until they play it.
One-Song-a-Week: Song #5 – Obama, Obama (w/Lyrics) (Lil Wayne “A Milli” Parody) A.P.T.'s Songs, Albums and Music Videos