Description
Rudy Ray Moore – Dolemite For President – Vinyl Record
Dolemite for President is a comedy album by Rudy Ray Moore that showcases the outrageous, fast-talking persona of Dolemite, the larger-than-life character who became Moore’s signature creation. Released during the height of his popularity in the 1970s, the album blends stand-up comedy, spoken-word storytelling, rhythm and blues, and the rich tradition of African American street toasts into a performance that is humorous, satirical, and deliberately over-the-top.
By the time this album appeared, Moore had already established himself as one of the most distinctive entertainers in Black popular culture. Long before becoming a cult film icon through Dolemite, he built a devoted following through a series of independently produced comedy records sold at live performances and neighborhood record stores. These albums circulated widely by word of mouth and became enormously influential despite receiving little mainstream radio exposure.
The title Dolemite for President immediately signals the album’s satirical spirit. Rather than making a genuine political statement or campaign, Moore imagines his swaggering, streetwise antihero entering the highest office in the United States. The premise allows him to parody politics, authority figures, and social conventions while celebrating the confidence and resilience that define the Dolemite character.
Musically, the album incorporates elements of funk, soul, blues, and spoken-word performance, though the primary focus is Moore’s storytelling. His rhythmic delivery often resembles a form of proto-rap, with carefully timed rhymes, exaggerated boasts, colorful insults, and vivid narratives delivered over musical accompaniment or sparse backing. This style connects directly to the African American oral traditions that later helped shape hip-hop.
Moore’s greatest strength is his command of language. His performances are driven by elaborate rhymes, inventive wordplay, comic exaggeration, and theatrical timing. Dolemite is portrayed as fearless, endlessly resourceful, and almost mythically charismatic—a trickster figure who consistently outsmarts opponents through wit as much as bravado.
The humor is intentionally outrageous and frequently pushes the boundaries of good taste. Like much of Moore’s work, the album contains explicit language and adult themes, reflecting the nightclub circuit and “party record” tradition from which his comedy emerged. That material was designed for adult audiences and should be understood within its cultural and historical context.
Beyond its comedy, Dolemite for President is significant for its cultural influence. Moore’s rapid-fire rhyming, boastful persona, and narrative style anticipated many conventions later associated with hip-hop. Artists such as Snoop Dogg, Big Daddy Kane, Ice-T, and members of Wu-Tang Clan have acknowledged Moore’s influence on rap performance, lyrical confidence, and storytelling.
The production is simple but effective, placing Moore’s voice firmly at the center. Rather than relying on elaborate musical arrangements, the recordings emphasize his timing, vocal inflection, and audience engagement. This direct approach gives the album the feel of an intimate live performance.
Although mainstream critics largely overlooked Moore’s recordings when they were first released, they have since been recognized as important works of American popular culture. His independent business model, refusal to rely on major entertainment companies, and commitment to serving his audience directly made him a pioneering figure well beyond comedy.
Today, Dolemite for President is appreciated not only as a hilarious example of Rudy Ray Moore’s unique comic style but also as an important document in the evolution of spoken-word performance and Black entertainment. It captures the fearless energy, verbal dexterity, and larger-than-life personality that made Moore a legend.
Bold, irreverent, and culturally influential, Dolemite for President remains one of the defining recordings of Rudy Ray Moore’s career. It stands as a reminder that comedy can be provocative, theatrical, and socially observant while also laying the groundwork for artistic movements that would emerge decades later.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Campaign Speech
Stack-A-Lee
Bulldagger Plus 20
Good Pussy Lil- Good Old Breast Milk
Long Islandduck- Just Roll It Over
Farting contest- Hell If You Got Em
Sitin Your Mama’s Lap- Mississippi
Chester & Mr. Dillon- Chestnuts
Hercules
