“Rock the Vote.” You’ve seen it on T-shirts, bumper stickers and commercials. The slogan created to encourage voting among the youth of America is now a motto for many musicians as well.

Over the past few decades, music has become a big part of political campaigns. Musicians have been literally “rocking the vote” to support the candidate they feel is most suitable.

Bands, singers and rappers all seem to want to promote their civic duty. They have been performing at rallies, making videos as well as songs while giving us a taste of their political ideals.

The Democratic candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, has had a lot of help from musicians. Recently his infamous “Yes We Can” speech was devised into a video with a star studded cast singing the speech itself. Some celebrities that participated in the video were Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas, Scarlett Johansson, Common, John Legend, Kate Walsh, Adam Rodriguez and many more.

Sen. John McCain, the Republican candidate, has had some recent trouble with members of the music industry. His rallies include the music and tastes of country singer John Rich.

While placing music in his political ads, McCain forgot a very important factor: getting the rights to the music. McCain is currently being sued by Jackson Browne, a committed member of the Democratic Party, after Browne heard his music in a commercial. However, McCain has the support of Rich, a Texan musician who even wrote a song for him.

Ludacris, an avid Obama fan, created the song “Politics (Obama is Here)” in an effort to glamorize his favorite candidate. However, the rapper’s ode seemed to hurt Sen. Obama when it was aimed to help. The song running at two minutes and 14 seconds is passionate and powerful, yet it seems as if Ludacris spends more time slandering other politicians than glorifying the one he is voting for.

Ludacris speaks of Sen. Obama’s Republican opponent, John McCain, as well as current President George W. Bush. The rapper describes the Bush as someone who is mentally unqualified and worthless.

A sampling of lyrics: “Yeah, I said it ‘cause Bush is mentally handicapped.√É.√¢√É¢’√¨√É.√® Ball up all of his speeches and just throw ‘em like candy wrap,√É.√¢√É¢’√¨√É.√® ‘cause what you talking I hear nothing even relevant√É.√¢√É¢’√¨√É.√® and you the worst of all 43 presidents.”

Rich’s song, titled “Raisin’ McCain,” praises the Republican candidate’s patriotism and suggests that even the Vietnam War couldn’t stop him, insisting that he is somewhat invincible.

Rich sings: “You can get on the train or get out of the way, you can be for McCain and if you’re not, well then, you better just stay away. “