With exactly two weeks left until what many believe is the most important election in American history, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are pulling out all the stops to get voters attention in key swing states, including Georgia. And that means cozying up to the state’s ultra-popular rappers.
Where international stars like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift can move the needle nationally by endorsing political candidates, artists in Georgia’s robust hip-hop scene — which is mostly centralized in Atlanta — might hold the key to determining who will bless the Oval Office in January.
Rappers like Quavo, Jermaine Dupri, Lil Nas X, and many other Georgia natives have all thrown their support to Harris this election cycle, while Waka Flocka Flame, who first endorsed Trump in 2020, has renewed his support for the former president.
The connection between Georgia hip-hop and politics has been prominent in recent years: In 2009, Jeezy, one of the founding fathers of trap music, penned “My President” in full support of the nation’s first Black president, Barack Obama. It’s lyrics “My president is Black/my Lambo’s blue” are some of the most quotable and memorable of the 2008 election season.
That’s not to say without the Jeezy hit, Obama wouldn’t have gained as much support from Georgia voters.... but you have to acknowledge the song’s reverence and exhilarating nature even in 2024.
Rapper BRS Kash once remixed his own song “Throat Baby” to tell Georgians to “Vote Baby” during a 2020 rally for Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock. In 2022, Latto brought out Stacey Abrams, then a Democratic candidate for Governor, on stage to show her support.
Two years after that, Atlanta rap legend Lil Jon shocked the world and performed “Turn Down For What” during the state roll call at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. But if you’re from the Peach state, that was just a normal Tuesday night.
Though most Georgia rappers tend to back the Democrats, there’s no shortage of rappers nationwide who are unapologetically MAGA, including Flocka, St. Louis’ Sexyy Red, Florida’s Kodak Black, and Detroit’s Sada Baby.
It’s unclear the true value celebrity endorsements add to political campaigns, but what remains clear is it doesn’t hurt to have them. In an election as tight as this one, it seems every stamp of approval matters — especially in swing states. Early voting has begun in many states. See this calendar to learn about voting in your state.