'Pants on the Ground' singer gets standing ovation at City Hall

By Eric Stirgus

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Atlanta City Council was serenaded by its own "Atlanta Idol" Monday afternoon.

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Chris Pizzello, AP Larry Platt songwriter and performer of "Pants on the Ground" was a memorable presence on the red carpet at the Grammy Awards on Jan. 31 in Los Angeles.

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Larry Platt, the self-described "four-star" civil rights general, rapped his now-famed rendition of "Pants on the Ground" for the council. He got a standing ovation from much of the audience.

Platt was there to receive a proclamation from the council for the message in the song ("Lookin' like a fool with your pants on the ground"), which he first performed in January on "American Idol." Council members also praised Platt, 63, for his decades of community activism.

"You did something we weren't able to do," said Councilwoman Joyce Sheperd, referring to Platt raising awareness to people wearing their pants so low it exposes their underwear.

Monday's lovefest was a far cry from Platt's past interaction with the council. He's been a frequent presence at City Hall over the years, demanding council members support his ideas while reminding them that he helped many of them get elected by marching with civil rights leaders like the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Council members clapped in rhythm as Platt rhymed and took pictures with him.

So what's next for the general? Platt said in an interview he has a gig in Las Vegas, he plans to fight no-fault insurance and, of course, get those pants off the ground.

"You're embarrassing your community," he said.