Former President Obama praised Kendrick Lamar over Drake in a rap battle in 2016, setting the stage for rappers to have an informal platform in politics. In 2024, while notable rap artists show support for President Biden, former President Donald Trump has also gained popularity among younger rappers. There is a range of reasons cited by rappers supporting Trump, including his handling of the COVID-19 era stimulus checks, Payment Protection Program, pardons of rappers, and dissatisfaction with the current political system.
In 2020, Trump pardoned Lil Wayne and Kodak Black, with Kodak Black joining the “Black Americans for Trump” coalition this election cycle. Rappers Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow, involved in Brooklyn’s “drill” rap subgenre, spoke at a Trump rally in the Bronx, despite facing murder conspiracy charges. Detroit rapper Sada Baby and other rappers have voiced their support for Trump, citing reasons like the COVID-19 stimulus checks and criminal justice reform as factors swaying their vote.
While Kanye West had a tumultuous third-party campaign in 2020, he endorsed Trump in 2022, further solidifying their association. The Trump campaign’s Black media director, Janiyah Thomas, highlighted Trump’s engagement with rappers and communities, which she claims is authentic. In response, Biden’s campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika criticized Trump’s outreach efforts, calling them disingenuous and emphasizing the importance of engaging with communities on relevant issues.
Despite Trump’s past support from rappers, including winning a small percentage of Black and younger voters in 2016 and 2020, his popularity with this demographic has not translated into significant electoral gains. Biden’s campaign has focused on music festival canvassing and Black outreach events to shore up support among these key voter groups. Artists like Fat Joe, Queen Latifah, Lizzo, John Legend, and others have endorsed Biden, reflecting the campaign’s deliberate efforts to engage with Black and younger audiences.
Political strategists and experts studying rap music believe that the support from rappers for either candidate is unlikely to significantly impact the election outcome. Trump’s connection with some Black voters has been attributed to his celebrity status pre-politics. Critics have highlighted Trump’s past comments on crime in Black communities and his handling of cases involving minorities as reasons for skepticism about his popularity with rappers. Some artists remain undecided or critical of the Biden administration’s responses to certain issues.
Overall, while rappers have voiced their support for both Biden and Trump, their impact on the election remains uncertain. Biden’s campaign has ramped up efforts to engage with Black and younger voters through music festivals and events, while Trump has garnered support from certain rappers based on his policies and outreach efforts. The role of music and celebrities in politics continues to evolve, with artists using their platforms to express their political preferences and engage with their audiences on relevant issues.
