Hip-Hop and the 2020 Elections
Alright, let’s not act like we don’t know which elections I am referring to in the title.
In the strangest turn of events - at least, in any other year - the Hip-Hop community has been extremely vocal within these elections. Iconic figures such as Ice Cube, Lil Wayne and 50 Cent have made their opinions known through press releases, pictures and podcasts that presented their support for the current president, Donald Trump.
While some have backtracked on their statements and alignments - I am looking at you 50 - the reality at hand remains that people are being open and honest with their beliefs.
But is it too much?
A truthful look at Hip-Hop history proves that politics and the genre have always been intertwined. In fact, without crooked politicians in the 1970’s, we might not have this beautiful culture that has brought us all together. And there is no problem with that. From Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” to Black Thought’s “Rest In Power” and even Childish Gambino’s “This is America”, having a political opinion has always been a part of our discourse.
And I’m not against that.
What I don’t agree with artists within the 2020 electoral campaign, including Kanye West, is the fact that they are openly saying who they are voting for. I believe that it is a private element that should be kept to oneself. That is especially important knowing that these are public figures who can influence many young people. I won’t say that they are at the same level as someone like Barack Obama or LeBron James, but some of them are icons who consistently filled stadiums and arenas. There’s power in that.
Maybe rappers and influential people should limit their involvement to trying to get people to vote? Maybe.
But I won’t be the person who will tell others who to vote for and how to support them. Free speech is something that I use everyday and that I enjoy, therefore I won’t stop someone else from using that very same right. I just want everyone to be safe and not go too far in influencing others.
This electoral cycle has been insane and has proven that the electoral college needs to change. The system doesn’t work and there are so many people who are dissatisfied with the system and the world as it is. I believe that we need to do better as a nation and as a planet when it comes to those who lead us and who we allow to get to those positions.
But that’s just the opinion of one person who will vote.