The sports commentator and writer, Keith Olbermann, tweeted yesterday, “After 27 years of doubts about rap I am now an @Eminem fan. Best political writing of the year, period.” Referencing Eminem’s recent acapela bashing of President Trump, Olbermann stated that Eminem’s release reinvested his interest in rap music.
Questlove, drummer and co-frontman of The Roots, responded to Olbermann’s comment in a series of tweets. Criticism of Olbermann’s comments around the internet focused on how Olbermann has pigeonholed his taste for the past twenty-seven years, that he hasn’t been open to rap music.
Questlove created a playlist entitled, “The Keith O Challenge,” that includes songs he hopes will convince Olbermann not to write off other types of music so quickly. Questlove acknowledged their coinciding anti-Trump political leanings, but lamented on a lack of common ground musically. He talks about how he listens to all music no matter what the genre or the culture. Olbermann has had the opportunity to do the same but hasn’t taken it.
Olbermann responded.
“Hate to hit your narrative but I’ve been a fan of political protest music, rap and otherwise, for 50 years. My “doubts” were about my personal tastes. I had Coolio and LL Cool J cassettes before I owned a CD player. My “doubts” were like my doubts about Zep. People love Zep. I like the music, don’t like Plant and the lyrics. That’s all it was. Was just saying I always respected it, but Eminem’s bodying Trump was the first time I got the thrill. No disrespect intended, more a public questioning of my own tastes.”
While the two have their differences musically, it looks like Oblermann’s blunder might encourage him to expand his tastes in the future.
Photography Credit: Owen Ela
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