Rappers glom onto Obama campaign

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Barack Obama has walked a fine line in denouncing a rap song's lyrics while praising Ludacris, one of many rappers to offer Obama shout-outs.

Rap star Ludacris's "Politics" praises the likely Democratic Party presidential candidate -- but used a derogatory term to describe Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., made belittling remarks about the age of presumptive Republican Party nominee Sen. John McCain of Arizona and disparaged U.S. President George Bush.

The Obama campaign denounced "Politics," noting that "while Ludacris is a talented individual, he should be ashamed of these lyrics."

Obama once told BET magazine he appreciates the "art of hip-hop" but sometimes not the "message of hip-hop," The Washington Post reported Friday.

Obama's presidential campaign has been a boon of sorts to rap artists, who have spit out many raps supporting his candidacy, the Post reported. Obama, however, must respond to the musical support carefully, as he tries to assure older white voters -- who tend not to favor rap -- that he is a candidate they can support.