Kerry: 'I'm Fascinated by Rap and Hip-Hop'

Likely Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry claimed Tuesday night that he's a big fan of rap and hip-hop music.

The straitlaced Beacon Hill blue blood who married into the $700 million Heinz ketchup fortune told MTV: "I'm fascinated by rap and by hip-hop. I think that there's a lot of poetry in it. There's a lot of anger, a lot of social energy in it."

Kerry said America's leaders disregard rap music at their peril, telling MTV, "I think you better listen to it pretty carefully because it's important."

Asked about some of the more outrageous lyrics in today's rap songs, Kerry replied: "Do I think some lyrics in some songs have stepped over what I consider to be a reasonable line? Yeah, I do."

He then explained, "I think when you start, you know, talking about killing cops or something like that, it bothers me."

Still, Kerry defended the gangsta rap genre, telling MTV: "I'm still listening, because I know that it's a reflection of the street and it's a reflection of life. And I understand all that."

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