With the 2024 presidential election at hand, a number of celebrities, rappers, and musicians have leaped into the limelight to voice their political endorsements. With big names weighing in on either side, these could be the votes from fans nationwide. From Donald Trump to Kamala Harris, the artists are standing behind their chosen candidate for a litany of reasons-some political, others personal. Here’s a breakdown of where these stars stand and what it might mean for the upcoming election.
The Trump Train: Rap Icons Who Support the Former President
Donald Trump has often received a surprising amount of support for a major presidential candidate from hip-hop artists, including popular rappers such as Lil’ Wayne, Kanye West, Kodak Black, and Sexyy Red. They have differing reasons individually, but the exact reasons these figures would leap to his support often span issues such as financial freedom and economic policies that favor entrepreneurs.
For instance, Lil Wayne had earlier praised Trump for the criminal justice reforms he had implemented, such as the First Step Act, which had the mission of ending mass incarceration and giving prisoners a second chance, among other things. This means that Kodak Black, who in 2021 received a pardon from Trump, has continued to show appreciation by supporting him for the coming election.
Kanye West, no stranger to politics, once allied himself with Trump due to the shared business mindset and leadership style. Despite running for the presidency himself in 2020, Kanye has remained consistent in his support for Trump.
Other rappers, including Sexyy Red and Chief Keef, demonstrate an appreciation for Trump’s brazen, renegade character that they feel mirrors the attitude within themselves-no apologies. Money Man, Sheff G, and Sleepy Hallow join the ranks of vocal artists who can relate to when Trump speaks on self-sufficiency and success in the business world.
The Harris Camp: Star Power Rallies Behind the Vice Presidential Candidate
On the opposite camp is an equally impressive lineup of artists, most especially from the R&B and hip-hop disciplines, in support of Kamala Harris. The likes of Cardi B, Quavo, Megan Thee Stallion, and Common, among other prominent artists in support of the current Vice President, give their support with her progressive policies on healthcare, women’s rights, and social justice.
Cardi B has always been an outspoken supporter of political action, calling for policies that provide health care reform and minimum wage increases in order to help working-class families. Megan Thee Stallion addressed Harris as a role model for young women of color because she is powerful and an example of moving ahead in politics.
John Legend and Stevie Wonder, stalwart vocalists in matters of social justice, hailed Harris for corruption in the criminal justice system and systemic racism. It’s in line with their belief that Harris has the empathy and policies to create an equal society.
Other prominent Harris supporters include Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish, who use social media to express concern over issues such as environmental policy, LGBTQ+ rights, and women’s rights- all causes they say they believe Harris will fight for.
Celebrity Influence on Politics: How Much Does It Matter?
Celebrity endorsements are hardly new to politics. But their presence seems amplified in the social media age. Millions of followers give celebrities the potential to frame discussions and activate their respective fan bases. However, just how effective those endorsements truly are is open to question.
These celebrity endorsements of Trump often represent fantasies of his defiance against the mainstream political system, which caters to those elements that have been left behind by traditional politics. “What Trump did, especially with rappers who like the “hustler” mentality, was that this loudmouthed guy was bragging about economic freedom,” said Fivio Foreign and Benny The Butcher.
On the other hand, Kamala Harris has had her own coups of good fortune with regard to the endorsement game, especially in those instances when such endorsements have mentioned her progressive platform on issues important to a younger electorate. Artists like Lil Nas X, Plies, and Billie Eilish have been somewhat effective at engaging their Gen Z audiences around things like climate change and LGBTQ+ rights, which could drive turnout among younger demographics. With these endorsements, however, it is not clear how much power they have.
In 2020, a number of high-profile endorsements did not necessarily change the overall outcome of election results. In contrast, issues they bring to the table-like criminal justice reform or climate change, help keep them in the public eye.
Trends in Celebrity and Their Endorsement
One trend that does stand out is the division among the lines of support between rap and pop artists. Much of Trump’s support has emerged from within the rap and hip-hop communities, mainly from artists who have welcomed entrepreneurial and independent success, such as Lil Pump and Waka Flocka. Their endorsement often stresses financial gain, personal freedom, and a lack of trust in government intervention.
In contrast, Kamala Harris has strong associations with the world of pop and R&B, whose artists tend to articulate outrage with social injustice, inequality, and systemic reforms. For example, another of the traditional supporters of progressive politics, Oprah Winfrey, brings great power to the public by her endorsement. Bruce Springsteen’s working-class anthems similarly address Harris’s concern to uplift the marginalized.
