When folks talk about hip-hop being political, they aren’t thinking about songs like “Can I Live” by rapper and actor Nick Cannon.

I think that will change, once they see the video or hear the song.

Cannon has boldly gone where no black music form has ever gone before, except maybe gospel. “Can I Live” may well be the first overtly pro-life rap ever produced.

Nick Cannon’s mom was a 17-year-old high school student when he was conceived. She planned to have an abortion, but decided not to at the last minute.

Cannon tells the whole story in the song and video, ending it by thanking her for not aborting him.

Though Cannon makes several references to his belief in God, “Can I Live” isn’t gospel rap. It doesn’t spout fire-and-brimstone, you’re-going-to-hell-if-you-have-an-abortion lyrics.

But it is about as close to a pure church testimony as hip-hop can get. And to Cannon’s credit, “Can I Live” is candid, spiritual and most importantly, non-judgmental. He seems to understand that the abortion debate deserves more than the finger pointing and castigating that people on both sides often engage in.

I know a sweet, beautiful single black woman who has told me that she wonders if God will ever allow her to have children because she once had an abortion. From what she told me, it was one of the toughest choices she’s ever made.

We can debate all day if she was right or wrong. But debate won’t bring her baby back, change what she did or soothe the pain she’s lived with since.

“Can I Live” reaches out to that generation of young women who may one day be faced with the same choice. It leaves the decision about an unwanted pregnancy with them and not with politicians, protestors or preachers.

The song makes an undeniable appeal to women thinking about abortion to not do it without relying on fear or manipulation.

“Can I Live” is compelling because of its topic and message. It also doesn’t hurt that the beats are authentic hip-hop and Cannon has decent flow.

But please don’t get it twisted. Just because “Can I Live” is a pro-life song doesn’t mean that Cannon is guaranteed a slot at the 2008 Republican convention. He is, after all, still a rapper and last I checked the GOP isn’t exactly down with hip-hop.

Besides, Cannon’s performance is decidedly non-partisan. “Can I Live” is not a political statement, but a personal one.

Still, Cannon is doing right-wingers of both parties a favor. They should use “Can I Live” as an example of how to address a difficult topic without offending the people they are trying to reach.

Hip-hop can use more songs like this. Unfortunately, rap overflows with profanity, posturing, gangbanging, booty shaking, and bling.

Rappers used to be concerned with making us think, feel and act. They used to have more respect for our communities and our culture. Much of modern hip-hop seems to have forgotten our history and our hurts.

It doesn’t have to be that way.

We can party to hip-hop that doesn’t denigrate our women or promote the thug life. A good beat doesn’t need excessive cussing or explicit sex to get heads nodding.

“Can I Live” may not be as gripping as Tupac’s “Keep Ya Head Up” or other more edgy conscious raps. But don’t sleep on it.

Cannon’s personal plea and thank-you to his mom is strong stuff for a generation that continues to struggle with teenage pregnancy and the “baby mama drama” it often brings. However, with a strong support system and a caring community, the drama can give way to hope.

And with hope and effort, babies that were almost aborted can grow up to become scientists, lawyers, teachers and even rappers.