There are those of us who might imagine that the worst form of torture possible would be being strapped down to a chair and forced to listen to our least favorite kind of music. For this writer that music would be rap, which was why I was more than a little surprised to find myself actually liking this YouTube video. Although they look like they might know more about wrapping gifts than rapping music, and sound a bit like Vanilla Ice wanabees at a high school talent show, college students Josh Riddle and David Rufful have taken the Internet by storm with their conservative “Young Con Anthem”  (“Con” referring to conservatives here). So far it has had 382,272 hits on YouTube in the past two weeks, been given three and a half stars on the same site, and has been featured on Fox News and the O‘Reilly Factor. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out the reason for such success is the combination of the message of the rap and youth of the rappers. “I stand one man/Outnumbered at my college/Thank you Miss Cali for reminding us of marriage/Can‘t support abortion, and call yourself a Christian…”
   
Being from Dartmouth, they are assured of the being “outnumbered" part. But the fact is “Serious C” (“C” standing for “conservative”) and “Stiltz” — as Josh and David like to call themselves — are not alone. Despite English textbooks with readings from radical communists like Jose Friera, and  radical classes such as “Taking Marx Seriously: Should Marx Be Given Another Chance?,” conservative values are gaining in popularity in some circles among youth. 
   
“We don’t want big government, or the Bilderburg group that pays for it” Aimee Allen of MTV sang on behalf of the youth during the Ron Paul “revolution” which showed the first wave of youth coming around to conservative ideas. Since then numerous blogs, young Constitutionalist groups   and even youth tea parties have been planned or are taking place.     
   
In addition to their rap, the “Young Cons” as they call themselves also run a website dedicated to promoting “true conservativism” as they see it.  “My conservative view is drill baby drill/ you can say you hate me but I’m prayin’ for you still…Three things taught me conservative love/ Jesus, Ronald Reagan, plus Atlas shrugged”(sic) …a strange combination to say the least.  While their song and site seem to echo a bit of libertarianism and constitutionalism, their constant references to the war in Iraq, Guantanamo Bay and waterboarding also give them a neo-conservative flair. Interestingly though, one verse states, “The standards of my crew ain‘t Republicans, dude.” Whatever their particular “brand of conservativism” my be, the fact that their expression of it through rap has gained so much attention, and even helped bring about some important discussions,  highlights something important; the need for conservative entertainment.
   
“Why hip-hip(sic), a genre of music that is not traditionally associated with conservatism?” The National Post asked Stiltz and Serious C in an interview June 5. “We used hip-hop because it was an attempt to appeal to our generation…many industries that provide people with information, largely movies, music, and higher education, portray conservatism to be close-minded and foolish.” While a few movies such as an American Carol and Expelled, tried to make a dent in the media blackout of conservatism in the mainstream entertainment industry, they have been the exception not the rule. Fortunately, as these two college kids proved, one doesn’t have to own a record company or a film studio to produce and distribute entertaining conservative material…just a computer and a crazy idea. Let’s hope to see more and more (and better and better quality) conservative entertainment. Birch rap, anyone? 

“I’m a John Bircher and this is my story,
I keep the constitution alive, no more fading the glory…“

Oh well, I tried. 
 

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Charles_Byrd said:

	Whooohooo!!! Great piece. This is very encouraging to read about.
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June 15, 2009
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D. Whitehead said:

	Great article!!! This is the most encouraging thing I've read in a while. I wish these young people nothing but the very best.
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June 15, 2009
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Peter Steele said:

	My late father was a Bob Taft Conservative and he cared as the Liberals didn't Dad cared as a Bob Taft Republican in the 1950s and he cared as the Liberals soft on Communism and Socialism did not care about our George Washington-Thomas Jefferson country. Dad found socialists and communists in the UN founded by FDR and Joe Stalin - a kiss of death and satan's deal.
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June 16, 2009
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victorgonzales said:

I make conservative music I actually had a release in which you guys at the JBS gave me the licensing rights to use some quotes from one of your PSA DVDS. It was a yoear ago I beleive. Google it if you wish. It is techno music for the dance clubs worldwide. The release was called the "Heritage EP" by Victor Gonzales. It was released on siteholder records on all major online stores. Beatport would probably be the easiest place to find it as it is the biggest dance music store. I frequently use quotes from our founding fathers in my music as subliminal reminders to people about freedom.

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June 23, 2009
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