Cee-Lo flips bird, drops F-bomb at Obama fundraiser
AP photo
Cee-Lo Green’s infectious chart-topping song “(Blank) You” can’t be played in its original form on FM stations and it can’t be quoted exactly in a family newspaper. But it can be played at a presidential fundraiser, evidently.
Here’s a link to a video clip of Green dropping the F-bomb and giving the one-finger salute during a Friday fundraiser in Atlanta for President Barack Obama. Obama had a number of fundraising stops here that day, and was not present during Green’s time on stage. The AJC did have a reporter at the event but he also did not witness the performance as reporters were held in a separate location at the time. A pool reporter who was granted access to the room said he was not close enough to the stage to hear clearly.
The video clip is pretty clear, though. On commercial airwaves Green’s song has been rendered into the more family-friendly “Forget You,” but the clip shows him launching into the unedited version.
The artist exuberantly previewed his performance ahead of time, tweeting: “ATL is FIRED UP for President Barack Obama tonight! I’m performing, Tyler Perry (is) hosting. You in for #Obama2012?”
But after his unedited version of the song, a fellow tweeter scolded, ”You have no class at all, very disrespectful tonight. #TheVoice should be ashamed of you right now.”
(Green’s repertoire now includes a role on the reality show “The Voice.”)
Green tweeted in response, “Well (they’re) not!” and added, “it was a mistake sir.” But he didn’t seem too broken up, going on to tweet, “All of you heard the song a thousand times so don’t get all saint on me.”
Green’s Twitter profile photo is a cartoon rendition of him standing strategically in front of his controversial lyrics.
Do you think the performance was in poor taste, or was he simply exercising his First Amendment rights?
- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz
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309 comments Add your comment
Animal Control
March 19th, 2012
10:27 am
The racist card is played out. Find another comeback liberals…
hmmmm
March 19th, 2012
10:29 am
@ Watch out…Vanilla Ice? How old are you? At least reference Eminem..lol….I am black and I think that Obama has done a horrible job…I also distrust the republicans because of the idiotic things that they allow to come out of their mouths…I will not be voting this year. As far a Ceelo – I think other performers could have been chosen…and Obama missed the concert anyway.
Newt Limbaugh
March 19th, 2012
10:29 am
Hey guys its me Newt come to my fundraiser with T
Rush Cheney
March 19th, 2012
10:29 am
@ Vladamir Sonav…
You certainly have an appropriate screen name for this blog. The fact that you disrespect your mother explains what kind of woman would even bother to birth you. Now run along and troll on some other blog. We already have enough keyboard gangsters on this one.
hmmmm
March 19th, 2012
10:30 am
@ wtpower….that’s an old reference, it’s not even offensive anymore…also, your sisters seem to LOVE black men these days, might wanna check them first.
Watch out Obama yo mamma will scam you
March 19th, 2012
10:31 am
@gee I totally agree. I am shocked that this story made the news….espically in the AJC……I mean the President is a marxist liberal….therefore it shold not be news……Ms. Brett must have thought George W Bush was still President…..Well her bosses will talk to her today and remind her that NOTHING bad is too be reported if it deals with Obama you mamma….Don’t worry this problem will be solved ASAP…
Snapperhead
March 19th, 2012
10:31 am
Typical low life, unable to articulate without sorting to the ignorance that he was brought up with. For our President to be OK with this proves what a low life he is. No wonder this country is in the shape it is. Do not think any of our past Presidents would have tolerated this kind of profanity at any event. What a bunch of loosers.
David Granger
March 19th, 2012
10:33 am
Democrats keeping it classy…
ATL_Native
March 19th, 2012
10:33 am
“Obamabots”… so proud of my fellow Atlantans. So much racist-lined/ courage-behind-the-keyboard crap out here!
That’s why GA politics are the laughing stock of the nation! THE ONLY STATE GINGRICH HAS WON! Such embarrassment.
We should do like colleges… self-impose punishment and turn our delegates back in!
Pamela
March 19th, 2012
10:33 am
WHO CARES? Let’s talk about how RACIST the State of Georgia is!!!
ATL_Native
March 19th, 2012
10:35 am
NEWT WON GEORGIA AND NOTHING ELSE.
ENOUGH SAID.
sharon
March 19th, 2012
10:35 am
I want to know who the person was at the function who felt the need to report the incident.
TY
March 19th, 2012
10:35 am
IDIOT!!!!
sharon
March 19th, 2012
10:35 am
I want to know who the person was at the function who felt the need to report the incident.
Southside Progressive
March 19th, 2012
10:37 am
As “Chess @9:30 am” has posted…nothing to see here…keep moving. A total non-story. This was a PRIVATE FUNDRAISING EVENT. U had to PAY ($250 and UP) to attend. I was there and I personally didn’t see anyone under 21 years old, so why is this worth reporting again?
Watch out Obama yo mamma will scam you
March 19th, 2012
10:37 am
@Pamela…..can you define what a racist is? Wait…..I know…..probably not……sorry for bothering you……go get back in line for that gov check.
Teresa
March 19th, 2012
10:37 am
Embaressing and inappropriate. But remember his tribute to Patti Labelle? Also very inappropriate. I can see why an artist would make such a decision to go forth with a performance like that for such an occasion. Another reason why we as a people are not taken seriously…Do you really need profanity so express yourself? Sounds like a child that does not know how to speak in my eyes. SMDH!
sharon
March 19th, 2012
10:37 am
Snapperhead how do you know the President was okay with this? Were you at the $35,000 a plate event? Don’t be a snapperhead
Can't Win Here @9:18
March 19th, 2012
10:40 am
You’re wrong! This falls into many more camps than the three you mentioned. 4) Those who profess to be Christian and those who aren’t – 5) Those who respect the prevailing culture of the majority or those that spue out the filth of the minority – 6) Those who use their so-called fame to do or say what they want to regardless of the time / place or persons present because they are a pig and think they are all important or those who use the same position or “power” in a positive manner to lead by example to breing positive change to their culture or people – 7) Those who wallow in filth using the first admendment as a shield for profanity, nudity and degredation or those who use the first admendment as a tool against such trash
Those whose morals and standards are dictated by someone like Cee-Lo rather than standing up for yourself, speaking up and demanding better from the entertainment industry. If this guy is so great – why is his stuff censored? He’s trash mouth proves he’s not intellegent enough to do anything else. This is not art – by and artist – it’s garbage from someone who lives in the sewer – and those who like it are there with him.
Teresa
March 19th, 2012
10:41 am
out of alll the songs in the world that HIT you in the HEAD like THIS IS IT????? THE PRESIDENT OF THE USA IS GONNA LOVE THIS!!!
Samantha
March 19th, 2012
10:42 am
OBAMA 2012!!!
CLwho?
March 19th, 2012
10:43 am
It was not clear from the article…Just exactly who was CeeLo flipping off?
Surely not the President.
RCB
March 19th, 2012
10:44 am
Just goes to show that no matter how much money these “entertainers” make, they can’t buy class. His mama must be SO proud of that mouth.
Watch out Obama yo mamma will scam you
March 19th, 2012
10:45 am
I agree with Samantha…. NOBAMA 2012. Save the USA…… NOBAMA 2012….It’s our country’s last hope….
real john
March 19th, 2012
10:47 am
While I don’t agree with President Obama on many issues, I do respect him and the office of the Presidency. This is just classless by Cee-Lo. This is the Velvet Room at 1 a.m. on a Saturday. You have the President of the United States, the Mayor, and many other distinguished people.
He said it was a mistake. When you are told you will be preforming for the President, you have plenty of time to think about your routine. Only a complete moron would not see this is inappropriate given the setting
ep
March 19th, 2012
10:47 am
And yet this president for whom funds were being raised cancelled the National Day of Prayer because he didn’t want to offend anyone. Hmmm.
Not Surprised
March 19th, 2012
10:47 am
When y’all pray for O’Bama please refer to this passage in the Bible. It’s dead on how we should pray for him.
Psalm 109:8:
“Let his days be few;and let another take his office.”
real john
March 19th, 2012
10:47 am
oops..meant to say “this isn’t the Velvet Room at 1 a.m on Saturday”
DavidEm
March 19th, 2012
10:57 am
Horrors!
He used a bad word. This country needs to GROW UP and get a sense of humor.
ncgreybr
March 19th, 2012
10:57 am
Not Surprised….You’re a Christian? And you’re wishing someone would die?
Shhh Vlad
March 19th, 2012
10:58 am
Hey Vlad, what happened? I guess you’re not as smart as you think you are. Did it take Rush Cheyney pointing out the screen name you chose really shows your ignorance??? LOL!
Needa new prez
March 19th, 2012
10:59 am
I never knew anything about Cee Lo until The Voice and I have come to like him. However now that I know he is a Obama supporter I shall pull against his team. And using profanity as he did certainly shows a lack of common sense.
Skip
March 19th, 2012
10:59 am
I hope all of the offended are also just as offended at the Monkey jokes, the blatant disrespect by Republican Senators, the derogatory statements said about THE PRESIDENT,and the pointing of a finger in THE PRESIDENT’s face. It’s all tasteless.
Pebblebeach
March 19th, 2012
11:01 am
Such a big fat loser with money…
Not Surprised
March 19th, 2012
11:02 am
@ncgreybr
Please show me when I said anything about “wanting someone to die?” Out of the office yes! To die, No? Please read the post thoroughly before resonding. Thank You!
ncgreybr
March 19th, 2012
11:06 am
Not Surprised; How else do you define: Let his days be few? Let him live a long time?
oneman
March 19th, 2012
11:08 am
that was like school on sunday….. no class..
Michael
March 19th, 2012
11:08 am
remember he also changed the words when he sang the song “Imagine” which undercut it’s entire meaning , (the guy’s a fat idiot)
Grandma
March 19th, 2012
11:13 am
Personally, I think the song fits the occasion. Should have been sung to B.O. at his joke of an inauguration. :-6
Chlamydia Brown
March 19th, 2012
11:15 am
Whoo hoo. Looks like Ive been banned. Thanks for upholding the 1st amendment AJC. Atlanta Urinal Constipation.
KimZ'sPackage
March 19th, 2012
11:20 am
I paid my $35,000.00 to have my HOPE & CHANGE dinner with Tyler & Obama. It was just what america needs. They served cheap white fish that we HOPED would CHANGE to steak. The Whole Weed Bread was great too. The Pokeweed salad with Psilocybin mushrooms to start the meal was OK. The Hashish Brownie were great for dessert.
Reign
March 19th, 2012
11:21 am
I’m sure President Obama knows the song, however, I think it was in extremely poor taste to use profanity at a Presidential fundraiser. Especially, if you have the song in a more tasteful version. Why was it necessary to use the profanity in that setting? I LOVE Cee-Lo’s music, but I’m disappointed in him right now. He’s contributing to an already disrespectful society, everybody’s using profanity (in the media, reality shows, comedies, music, etc.). Really, Cee-Lo????
Rick James
March 19th, 2012
11:23 am
If you get bitten by a snake lying beside the road because you decided to pick it up is it your fault or the snake’s? They should have known what they were getting with Cee-Lo and maybe hired someone else if this was a concern.Debbie Boone maybe?
bucket
March 19th, 2012
11:24 am
Ordinarily I could care less what CeeLo Green does, but if he is as big a supporter of President Obama as he says he is then why would he do this at an Obama event? He had to know at the very least he would cause the President some flack over his behavior.
Caitlin
March 19th, 2012
11:24 am
Who cares? It’s not a big deal! People need to stop being so damn sensitive about little things like this….
KimZ'sPackage
March 19th, 2012
11:39 am
Were T.I & illegal Guns not available? Was Snoop Dog to Stoned to make it?
Watch out Obama yo mamma will scam you
March 19th, 2012
11:39 am
@Caitlin AMEN sister. It is NOT a big deal because it happened at a LIBERAL event….PLEASE remember that people…….It would ONLY be a HUGE deal if this happened at a CONSERVATIVE event…..The AJC made a grave error in reporting this story….they thought it happened at a conservative fundraiser………You know it happened at a LIBERAL fundraiser because Al and Jesse were not in Atown
Taudawg
March 19th, 2012
11:39 am
John Boehner’s Tanning Bed, this wasn’t a concert of people coming to hear a particular bands music, it was a presidential fundraiser. I am all for freedom of speech. If I so desire to hear certain words, I can find the band or the comedian to hear it. But there is proper behavior and what Ce-Lo did was vulgar and crude. Make all the excuses you want, but he did it for himself and self gain. We have lost our minds in regards to free speech. It does not trump ethical and moral behavior.
Of course, if Rush Limbaugh says it on his own show, where you have to search him out to say it, it is wrong. And he only commented, under the banner of free speech, about a lady who admitted to a rather excessive number of sexual encounters while in college. Of course, she also forgot to say she was lying about her age and college life. She said she was a young college student and she was actually 31 years old.
Class and moral behavior has standards. Ce-Lo fell below that standard and acted like a idiot. What should we expect?
marilyn elizabeth wells
March 19th, 2012
11:47 am
im a women of color and i think it was very disrepectful and in very poor taste !!! i feel so bad ! why was that needed to be said.. how can we expect others to respect & support us if we dont ourselves.
Windy City, too
March 19th, 2012
11:47 am
Disrespectful for sure! There is a time and place for everything and this certainly was not the place. I don’t know nor have I ever heard the song. I’m a proud African American female in my mid 40’s, if any cares!