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After a seemingly never-ending build-up, the 2024 presidential election is finally here and voters will get to choose whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will lead the United States of America for the next four years.
They are not candidates with much in common. Trump, seeking his second non-consecutive term in office, has grown increasingly nativist in his rhetoric, which has taken aim at Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Muslims and just about everybody else while continuing to proclaim he will “Make America Great Again.”
On the other side of the aisle, current vice president Harris seeks to give the country another four years of Democrat rule, with promises of securing greater rights for women following the repeal of Roe vs. Wade and pursuing social justice initiatives.
Central to both candidates’ campaigns has been Hip Hop. While rappers are not known for keeping their political views to themselves, historically speaking, the culture tends to skew Democrat. But Trump’s brash nature and capitalist values has made him increasingly popular among a sect of rappers.
Both Harris and Trump have featured Hip Hop artists at their rallies and openly coveted endorsements from rappers — Trump, to increase his ratings among Black voters, and Harris, to counter concerns many have relating to her time as a prosecutor in the justice system.
Below, HipHopDX gathers some of the highest-profile endorsements for both candidates from inside the rap world and looks at who will be voting red and who will be voting blue in this year’s election.
Donald Trump
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Kanye West
Despite his own failed bid for the Oval Office, Kanye West has made it clear which side of the aisle he stands on come election day. Earlier this year, Ye was asked point-blank who he would be voting for, answering clearly: “Yeah, of course, it’s Trump all day. What you talking about? You know what it is.” The endorsement came after West and white supremacist Nick Fuentes were seen meeting with Trump.
Lil Wayne
Tunechi and Trump go back several election cycles, with the New Orleans rap legend praising the Republican’s proposals on criminal justice reform in 2020. In one of his last acts as president, Trump then gave Wayne a presidential pardon after he was hit with several gun charges.
Kodak Black
Perhaps Trump’s most vocal supporter in Hip Hop, the controversial rapper even released a song in support of the former president earlier this year which samples various speeches made by the Republican. Kodak was also pardoned by Trump back in 2021 after being sentenced to four years in jail on weapons charges.
Benny The Butcher
The Griselda rapper stated his intentions for the 2024 election last year, writing on social media: “I’m votin Trump 2024.” After facing backlash from his fans, The Butcher later appeared to walk back his remark — but not without expressing frustration with Democrats. In any case, Benny’s past convictions may prevent him from hitting the ballot box.
Ma$e
The It Is What It Is co-host made his political leanings clear during a recent episode of his sports talk show, which featured special guest and fellow Trump supporter Mike Tyson. During the show, Ma$e admitted: “You know I’m conservative, so I’m probably on this side of Trump.”
Waka Flocka Flame
Though initially critical of Trump for his comments about Mexican immigrants, Waka Flocka Flame has since been won over by the Republican candidate and budding two-time president. He doubled down on his support earlier this year, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “I’m stilling voting for Trump!!!! Let’s be clear!!!!!”
42 Dugg
The diminutive Detroit native made his support for Trump clear earlier this year, rapping on an unreleased song: “We don’t like snitches, me and Trump the same n-gga / Put on my red hat, red Bach matching the soda / I got ’em turnt, say it’s our turn, we need ’em voting.” He also appeared to praise the former president for the “free cheese” his administration handed out at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
DaBaby
“Do I fuck with Trump? Now? Hell yeah. Trump is a gangster,” DaBaby said on the Full Send podcast in 2022. The North Carolina native, who is no stranger to controversy himself, also praised Trump during the interview for pardoning Kodak Black.
Fivio Foreign
Joining Kodak Black on the MAGA anthem “ONBOA47RD,” Fivio Foreign is less overt in his support of Trump but does rap on the track: “When Trump called, I was on tour / That was my win and it was your loss.”
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Sheff G & Sleepy Hallow
Though the two Brooklyn rappers are facing serious gang-related charges, that did not stop Trump from recruiting them for a rally in the Bronx this past summer. During their brief time at the podium, Sheff G said: “One thing I want to say: They are always going to whisper your accomplishments and shout your failures. Trump is going to shout the wins for all of us.”
Lil Pump
Pump is one of the OG Hip Hop supporters of Trump with his support extending back to his initial administration. When Trump was arrested last year, the controversial rapper publicly called for the former president’s release.
Lord Jamar
Hip Hop’s arch conservative, Lord Jamar’s support of Trump is no surprise. The former Brand Nubian rapper was vicious in his condemnation of Kamala Harris, recently saying: “A pussy is not a requisite for leadership. Pretending to be ‘Black’ is not a requisite for leadership.”
M.I.A.
Though previously a progressive, the British-born rapper has grown increasingly right-wing in recent years and begun extolling conspiracy theories about vaccinations and 5G. This has culminated in a full-throated endorsement of Trump: “Trump is going to ride America through the most challenging 4 years coming.”
Kamala Harris
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Cardi B
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Despite being critical of Joe Biden, Cardi B has been firmly behind Harris since she became the Democratic candidate for president this past summer. Just last week, the “Bodak Yellow” hitmaker appeared at a rally in Milwaukee where, after a brief teleprompter blip, she delivered a speech praising Harris and tearing into Trump, who she called a “hustler.”
Eminem
Making a rare public appearance at a rally in Detroit last month, the rap legend pledged his support for Harris based on freedom of speech issues, before introducing Barack Obama who proceeded to rap the opening bars from “Lose Yourself.” Em has also been a vocal critic of Trump since before his election victory in 2016.
Sexyy Red
Sexyy Red‘s initial support of Trump caused quite the stir when she first endorsed him in 2023. During a chat with Theo Von, she said: “I like Trump. They support him in the hood. At first, I don’t think people was fucking with him. They thought he was racist, saying little shit against women. But once he started getting Black people out of jail and giving people that free money. Awe, baby, we love Trump. We need him back in office.” She has since revealed that she voted for Kamala Harris, seemingly due to Trump’s stance on women’s rights.
Megan Thee Stallion
A familiar face on the campaign trail, Megan Thee Stallion has spoke eloquently about female reproductive rights and also performed for Harris supporters at rallies across the country.
GloRilla
Big Glo made her reasons for backing Harris very clear on Instagram, citing abortion rights, LGBTQ rights, further funding for schools and a rise to $15 in the national minimum wage.
Quavo
The former Migos frontman came out in support of Harris in a big way in July, introducing her at a rally in Atlanta where he praised the former prosecutor’s work to combat gun violence. Kamala!
Fat Joe
While Trump and his supporters bash Puerto Ricans, the island’s most famous son Fat Joe has been working with Harris on justice reform, sitting down with her as part of a roundtable discussion about potential changes to marijuana laws alongside Too $hort.
Common
The Chicago legend has been a supporter of Harris since before she replaced Biden as the Democratic candidate for the White House. He performed for her at a Hip Hop 50th birthday celebration last year before making a surprise appearance at this year’s Democratic National Convention.
Lupe Fiasco
Lupe has made no bones about his political views in the past, controversially branding Barack Obama “the biggest terrorist” in 2011 over the U.S.’ foreign policy. With Harris hoping to become the country’s second Black president (and first woman commander-in-chief), the Food & Liquor lyricist kept things safer and more straightforward by simply writing on social media: “Mr. Harris.”
Queen Latifah
The rapper and actor appeared at a rally for Harris in Las Vegas, encouraging supporters to make sure they are signed up to vote while going on to praise the current vice president’s leadership skills.
Jermaine Dupri
The So So Def founder gave Harris a resounding endorsement earlier this year and also fiercely hit back at those who have questioned her identity. “You motherfuckers ain’t never thought that you’d see nobody — person of color, woman — in a position to become the President of the United States. The hate she has to deal with being a person of color, y’all want her also to be a vice president, to do shit that vice presidents ain’t never, ever did. Y’all fucking tripping,” he said.
Lil Jon
By far the most surprising person to feature at the DNC earlier this year (or any year, for that matter), Lil Jon supported Georgia’s delegates in backing Harris for president and also performed his raucous hit “Turn Down For What.”
Lil Nas X
As soon as it was announced that Harris would be standing for president after Joe Biden withdrew from the race, Lil Nas X made his preference clear, playfully writing on X: “Ur seat is ready madam president. lock in lil bro! @KamalaHarris.”
Azealia Banks
Previously renowned for supporting Trump, the always-outspoken Azealia Banks argued that voting for Banks was a means to keep Elon Musk away from political power. “For as stupid and incoherent Kamala Harris is and as trash as Walz is, and despite the fact that Kamala Harris is the only Democratic Nominee to not have actively campaigned in a Primary (the most undemocratic shit ever, and really says alot about her supporters lack of commonsense)…I really think keeping Elon Musk away from any type of political power in the USA is tantamount to any issue on the table here,” she tweeted.
Slim Thug
In a somewhat surprising endorsement, the Boss Hogg explained why he was supporting Harris during one of his frequent Instagram Live broadcasts: “I gotta support the Black woman ’cause I’m a Black man and a Black woman needs a Black man’s support.
will.i.am
The Black Eyed Peas founder took his support for Harris to another level by recently premiering a new single called “Yes She Can,” a loud and clear endorsement for who the rapper and producer hopes is the first female president.
Yung Miami
The former City Girls rapper did not offer any lengthy explanation behind the reasons for her vote, but simply urged her social media followers to “Vote for Kamala!”
Jarobi White
The A Tribe Called Quest legend-turned-chef made an appearance at a fundraiser earlier this year alongside other culinary luminaries. During the event, Jarobi praised Harris’ policy on food, as well as her apparent skills in the kitchen.
