In a move that U.S. officials call a "publicity stunt", North Korean leader Kim Jong Il has released an audiotape which describes his plans of "ruling the world".
But the tape, which is reminicent of prior releases by Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, conveys Jong Il's message in a rather unorthodox way. It's a rap.
Titled "Kim Jong's Illin'", the tape uses a blend of East Coast Wu Tang style with a jazzy hip-hop flavor to describe his ruthless dictatorship and his upcoming foreign and political powerhouse. The five-and-a-half minute song trashes the United States government, saying that it's paranoid, capitalist wrangling has him on "it's 10-most-wanted list."
A young Kim Jong illin wannabe. What IS it with these friggin' North Koreans and their hair?
Below is a sampling of the lyrics:
Bush and Cheney have their eyes on me ~ They blast Iraq and Saddam had to pee ~ Now the cap'list man is royally pissed ~ But they ain't see me swing my Korean iron fist.
The song progresses with even more anger, climaxing with Jong Il prophesizing his own death in a played-out Tupac Shakur style.
Rap experts in the United States had little positive comments for the new single, saying that it "rips off" styles from established artists. Sean "P-Diddy" Combs, who has collaborated with several rappers on a plethora of projects, gave a thumbs down review.
"His (expletive) is whack," he said. "Not only did he steal the baseline from Biggie's "Life After Death" album, but he stole lyrics from 50, Timbaland, Ja Rule, and even Linda Ronstadt."
The U.S. State Department is investigating whether the North Korean leader's single is just a low-budget knock off or an elaborate hidden message. Although North Korea has not resorted to known terrorist movements, it may be inciting anti-American sentiment abroad, according a State Department message.
The Kim Jong's illin pyrotechnic concert closer blows fans away...well, alright, it melts them. Promoters recommend standing back at least 500 miles.
Fifty million people in the United States downloaded the message off file-sharing networks Kazaa and Morpheus yesterday, causing a cascade of anti-sharing messages to be displayed on computer screens everywhere.
The North Korean government discouraged people from downloading the single, claiming that sales will be hurt from illegal distribution.
