Fatman Scoop invites PM to ‘discuss politics’ after Question Time video sparks crackdown
Rapper says it's a 'humbling experience' to have his song used by the PM's office. Photo: AAP
A US hip hop artist has invited the Prime Minister to talk politics with him at an R&B event when he visits Australia later this year after the musician’s song was used in a controversial tweet.
In the tweet the PM’s office mixed vision from Question Time of members raising their hands in unison to lyrics like: “You got a 100 dollar bill put your hands up. You got a 50 dollar bill put your hands up”.
On Instagram Scoop said he had been on a flight to London and missed the controversy but was “humbled to have my voice rocking in the highest offices of the Australian Government!”
“It’s a humbling experience to be recognised by a high official [either Scott or his people thought of me],” he wrote.
He went on to say that as an American he had to be apolitical and didn’t know about Australian politics.
Scoop was curious about why the song was taken down and said he had been told it was because of its explicit lyrics.
“My man @bboyjimo said because there was CURSING in the song and he has to be Politically Correct,” he wrote.
“This used to be the same way [politically correct] that presidents were in the USA but as u can see the bar for a US President being politically correct is VERY LOW!”
He continued to make full use of caps lock to show he was also puzzled by the outrage at the lyrics.
“People! Its a fun PARTY SONG that has no NEGATIVITY or HARM in it,” he wrote.
PM’s breach may force parliamentary crackdown
The Prime Minister’s post breached Parliament’s strict rules about video use and will spark a wider crackdown after incurring the wrath of the Parliament’s enforcer, Serjeant-at-Arms James Catchpole.
“Broadcast material may not be digitally manipulated for rebroadcast,” he said.
“The Prime Minister’s Office has been reminded of the terms of the media rules.”
Scoop, who is somewhat past his musical peak, also questioned the choice of his 17-year-old song as a method to connect with younger people.
“When my song was really ROCKING Scott was probably in the CLUBS! Hahahahaha,” he wrote.
He invited the PM to come to an R&B Fridays concert in November as his personal guest “to watch, dance, and after in the backstage area discuss politics with me”.
Video was ‘a bit of fun’: PM
Mr Morrison had said his post was a “bit of fun”, and that it was not a song on his personal playlist.
“I think Tina Arena would get a good go, I saw her in Evita last night … she was outstanding,” Mr Morrison said.
“We’re just trying to connect honestly with people, and some of the narcs will get a bit worked up about this sort of thing.
“I think Australians think politicians can take themselves a bit too seriously at times, they may even make those suggestions about others who work in Canberra, not in politics directly, perhaps in the media.”
The full lyrics of the song used in my earlier video from QT today were just not OK. When I found out, I asked the team to take it down. Apologies.
— Scott Morrison (@ScoMo30) September 13, 2018
Question Time involved Mr Morrison asking his colleagues who had worked in small businesses or the private sector, in a bid to highlight ideological differences between the Government and the Labor Party.
Speculation is rife as to why the video was posted to social media, with some suggesting it could have been designed to grab attention for a newly minted Prime Minister seeking to carve out an image, or possibly distract the public from other goings-on within the Liberal Party.
But the incident also raises questions about the experience of staff in Mr Morrison’s office, and more broadly the toll on ministerial offices during leadership challenges.
Staff lose their jobs as soon as their bosses are given new portfolios or resign, meaning there can be significant shortages in skills and experience.
