Saturday, September 20, 2008

Obama Releases Official Soundtrack Album


You knew it was coming...Barack Obama's presidential campaign is now getting an official music soundtrack.

“Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement,” which takes its title from an Obama campaign slogan, features hip hop artist Kanye West, r&b crooner John Legend, singer Sheryl Crow, r&b legend Stevie Wonder and others. It will be available for sale exclusively through Obama’s campaign.

Proceeds from the CD ($24.99 for a digital download, $30 for a physical product) will help fund Obama’s campaign until Nov. 4, Election Day, according Hidden Beach Recordings, which created the CD.

The “Yes We Can” CD is only the latest musical project inspired by Obama. Earlier this year, an all-star music video featuring Legend, Scarlet Johansson, Kate Walsh, Common, and others, led by the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am and titled “Yes We Can,” became a viral sensation, garnering millions of views on the Internet. Will.i.am followed that up with another celebrity-filled video, “We Are The Ones.”

To make sure the CD project met federal campaign standards, Hidden Beach CEO and longtime Obama supporter Steve McKeever said it went through a rigorous vetting process. The Obama campaign purchased the rights to the CD, he said, declining to name the price.

“The artists on the CD “are all being compensated as fair market value for their services,” he added.

After the election, the CD is due to be released through other outlets and Hidden Beach will reap the profits.

The McCain camp said it had no plans to release a CD of its own and greeted news of Obama’s with a dig.

“It’s ironic that on a day when the economy is in turmoil, Barack Obama fails to release an economic plan, but instead chooses a celebrity rock album,” said McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds.

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