The foul-mouthed rapper Dave da Tory is hugging today

13 April 2012

David Cameron will enrage Tory traditionalists today by holding a meeting with an American rapper whose songs are littered with violent references and swear words.

The singer, Rhymefest, wrote to Mr Cameron asking for a meeting after hearing the Tory leader's criticisms that rap music incites street violence and should be banned.

Listen to rapper Rhyme fest here. Some of his lyrics may offend:

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Rhymefest, 29, claims to be fed up with fellow rappers promoting violence and says he wants to bring balance to the genre.

It is not a claim backed up by the evidence of his lyrics. And critics will point out that publicity from his meeting with Mr Cameron will not harm his efforts to promote his music in the UK.

Labour MP Stephen Pound said Mr Cameron, who has spoken up for 'hoodies' in the past, should not been meeting the rapper.

'From hugging a hoodie to embracing a rapper is obviously a short step, but in my view it's a step too far,' he said.

'He's dug so deep in search of the youth vote, he's probably guaranteed the vote in the Lower East Side of Chicago.

'But in the shires of England, I imagine people will be turning their faces away in horror and putting in the earplugs.'

In his letter to Mr Cameron, Rhymefest said: 'If I was a middle-aged politician who knew nothing about rap music and I turned on the radio, then I would understand the way you feel

about urban music.

'My challenge to you, Mr Cameron, is to sit down, have a cup of tea and talk to a real rapper. I am sure you will see that rap music is more than murder music or knife culture.'

One prominent Conservative MP, who did not want to be named, said: 'If David is going to tell him to his face that his music promotes violence and hatred, then I will support him.

'But if, as I suspect, this is just another photo-opportunity, then it makes me want to reach for the nearest sick bucket.'

Mr Cameron hit out at rap music in a radio interview, warning that it 'encourages people to carry guns a knives'.

He acknowledged his comments were likely to provoke a wave of protest, but said it was important that

people had 'the courage to speak up when you see something that is wrong'.

In an article for the Mail on Sunday in June, he wrote: 'Aspects of pop culture glamorise the use of knives and guns.

'Ignore this fact and we miss an important part of both the problem and, potentially, the solution.'

Hip-hop has also been criticised for promoting homophobia and racism to impressionable young audiences.

A spokesman for the Tory leader confirmed that there would be a 'private one-to-one' meeting' between the two this afternoon.

He said: 'Rhymefest made the point that actually music and culture can be a positive force for good and can act as a role model, which David completely agrees with. David is willing to meet and discuss these issues with him.'

Rhymefest won a Grammy Award for songwriting and his first album, Blue Collar, was released in July.

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