Hip Hop Challenges Voters
To Grab The Lever
It's perhaps another "Super Tuesday," and all eyes are on the Pennsylvania polls. The results of the Pennsylvania Primary Election may hold the key that decides which of the remaining Democratic candidates will continue the run for that coveted White House spot. In what has become one of the most closely watched primary races in election history, the voices of generations X and Y demanding change in our government, its officials and its policies are just a few of the key differences that have made this race reach beyond its obvious historical significance.
Since the days of Bill Clinton’s presidential run, politicians have realized that getting young people to the booths needed to not only include gen X’ers and Y’s, but that its also needed to expand its reach to the Hip Hop generation and its youth. In Pennsylvania, a state where the Democratic Party has gained over 100,000 new voters, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have been canvassing school and college campuses for weeks in attempts to sway voters their way.
To bring the issues as close to the Hip-Hop generation as possible, non-partisan organizations like Russell Simmons’ Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) and Dr. Ben Chavis’ Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund (HREF) have been sponsoring panel discussions since the 2004 elections. These panels include Hip Hop artists and entertainment industry heads discussing the issues, and how it effects them personally, while still keeping the focus on the agenda of both organizations—bringing issues that impact future generations to the attention of the candidates.
Yesterday's stop in North Philadelphia, which included students from West Chester, Cheney, and Millersville Universities, brought thousands out to hear what artists had to say about the issues like education, poverty, and health care.
Temple University’s Liacouris Center was the meeting spot for the "Turn up the Vote" and coming out to show support were some of the biggest names in the industry. T.I., Flo-Rida, Styles P, Ciara, Chrisette Michele, Lil X, and BET’s Terrance J and Rocsi from 106th & Park all participated to get the word out about the power the votes holds. Terrance J told HipHopDX he knew this was an event he couldn’t miss, “I think the things that Russell Simmons and Ben Chavis are doing is amazing. I’m excited to see such a big turn out.”
Simmons, who recently took a leave of absence as chair of the HSAN to protect the integrity of the organization for his recent endorsement of Barack Obama, came to talk empowerment and avoided questions over his choice. “I had to go with my own heart, but I’m happy to be in alignment with all the young people coming to the polls,” said Simmons. “Across the country that we have these harsh laws for first time drug offenders and non violent drug offenders who are going away for a long amounts of time, learning nothing but how to be criminals. We want people to understand that point and work on it. I’m here today to get people out to the polls.”
Dr. Ben Chavis, who moderated the discussion, shared with DX how events like this are a good look, not only for young people, but for Hip Hop overall. “What’s most exciting is the young people. The future of the world is in the hands of our youth. There are a lot of haters on Hip Hop out there, so this is a great positive anecdote to all the negative stuff that’s out there.” He also mentioned that the momentum that’s been building over this election needs to continue after the upcoming Pennsylvania Primary. “I think it’s a positive statement that we have to maintain not just today or on Tuesday but for the rest of our lives,” said Chavis. “Young people want to see a change and that’s driving a lot of this.”
The addition of T.I. to the panel allowed the artist to share his personal experience of being a convicted felon unable to vote. “I’m a felon three, four times over but they ain’t taking away." The Grand Hustle Records CEO continued, “Once you have served your debt to society and gotten off probation, you should be able to reserve your right to vote. If I can influence the masses in the booths, that will take away from me not being able to vote. Without taking advantage of your right to vote, you lose your right to complain. Go out and vote for who represents you and your people best.”
T.I. wasn’t the only artist unable to vote in this years election. “I’m a violent felon, so I don’t vote,” said Styles P, most known as a member of seminal New York trio The L.O.X. “But it's all the more reason for me to let youth know you have to watch what you do and who you put in office. These people control the laws that affect our communities. So you gotta make sure you are doing the right thing and putting the right people in. Things are killin’ us.” Styles, who said he never saw himself being a part of the political process, felt it was time to start “dropping jewels” and letting people know whats really going on. “Politics is trickling down to the hood. Katrina. 9/11. Its effecting where we from and who we are more so then ever,” said the emcee who questioned the motives behind both Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X's murders on 2006's "Testify." “As a Hip Hop community, it’s a great thing to tell the truth. As an artist you hear about the bling, the chicks, cars, money, reefer, liquor all day. Sometimes you gotta put that stuff aside. We got real issues.”
Flo-Rida admitted that what happened in his home state during the 2004 election served as incentive for him to come out and make a difference. “I grew up in poverty, projects, and the hood. I’m looking forward to a better future not just for me but for the kids coming up.”
In addition to the Hip Hop artists in attendance, R&B princess Ciara and Chrisette Michele also represented for the cause. Ciara let the audience know that getting an education was vital in staying knowledgeable about the issues. “Education is power, knowledge is power,” she said. “I voted as soon as I turned 18 with an absentee ballot. It was that important to me and your vote is important too.”
Michele, who told DX that this election has also been inspiring to her as an artist, also stressed that she wouldn’t let the candidates sway her vote based on race or sex. “It’s exciting to see a woman and a black man running, although those are not the reasons I would vote for either one of them. The reason why I would vote for either of them is because of how they are going to impact my individual life.”
One Philadelphia artist, Gillie Da Kid, also came out to support the cause. “I was called to step up to the plate today. It’s called accountability and I just wanted to be accountable,” said Gillie, who reportedly just signed to Tony Draper's Suave imprint [click to read]. “You have a lot of individuals on stage from a lot of different genres. A lot of people that can’t even vote today will try to learn, go home and understand what’s going on.”
Overall, Chavis said the day was an incredible success. “I think this is the most inspiring presidential race ever. I was around back when the Kennedy's ran and that got a lot of people excited. I think this race sets a new standard.”
Since the days of Bill Clinton’s presidential run, politicians have realized that getting young people to the booths needed to not only include gen X’ers and Y’s, but that its also needed to expand its reach to the Hip Hop generation and its youth. In Pennsylvania, a state where the Democratic Party has gained over 100,000 new voters, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have been canvassing school and college campuses for weeks in attempts to sway voters their way.
To bring the issues as close to the Hip-Hop generation as possible, non-partisan organizations like Russell Simmons’ Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) and Dr. Ben Chavis’ Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund (HREF) have been sponsoring panel discussions since the 2004 elections. These panels include Hip Hop artists and entertainment industry heads discussing the issues, and how it effects them personally, while still keeping the focus on the agenda of both organizations—bringing issues that impact future generations to the attention of the candidates.
Yesterday's stop in North Philadelphia, which included students from West Chester, Cheney, and Millersville Universities, brought thousands out to hear what artists had to say about the issues like education, poverty, and health care.
Temple University’s Liacouris Center was the meeting spot for the "Turn up the Vote" and coming out to show support were some of the biggest names in the industry. T.I., Flo-Rida, Styles P, Ciara, Chrisette Michele, Lil X, and BET’s Terrance J and Rocsi from 106th & Park all participated to get the word out about the power the votes holds. Terrance J told HipHopDX he knew this was an event he couldn’t miss, “I think the things that Russell Simmons and Ben Chavis are doing is amazing. I’m excited to see such a big turn out.”
Simmons, who recently took a leave of absence as chair of the HSAN to protect the integrity of the organization for his recent endorsement of Barack Obama, came to talk empowerment and avoided questions over his choice. “I had to go with my own heart, but I’m happy to be in alignment with all the young people coming to the polls,” said Simmons. “Across the country that we have these harsh laws for first time drug offenders and non violent drug offenders who are going away for a long amounts of time, learning nothing but how to be criminals. We want people to understand that point and work on it. I’m here today to get people out to the polls.”
Dr. Ben Chavis, who moderated the discussion, shared with DX how events like this are a good look, not only for young people, but for Hip Hop overall. “What’s most exciting is the young people. The future of the world is in the hands of our youth. There are a lot of haters on Hip Hop out there, so this is a great positive anecdote to all the negative stuff that’s out there.” He also mentioned that the momentum that’s been building over this election needs to continue after the upcoming Pennsylvania Primary. “I think it’s a positive statement that we have to maintain not just today or on Tuesday but for the rest of our lives,” said Chavis. “Young people want to see a change and that’s driving a lot of this.”
The addition of T.I. to the panel allowed the artist to share his personal experience of being a convicted felon unable to vote. “I’m a felon three, four times over but they ain’t taking away." The Grand Hustle Records CEO continued, “Once you have served your debt to society and gotten off probation, you should be able to reserve your right to vote. If I can influence the masses in the booths, that will take away from me not being able to vote. Without taking advantage of your right to vote, you lose your right to complain. Go out and vote for who represents you and your people best.”
T.I. wasn’t the only artist unable to vote in this years election. “I’m a violent felon, so I don’t vote,” said Styles P, most known as a member of seminal New York trio The L.O.X. “But it's all the more reason for me to let youth know you have to watch what you do and who you put in office. These people control the laws that affect our communities. So you gotta make sure you are doing the right thing and putting the right people in. Things are killin’ us.” Styles, who said he never saw himself being a part of the political process, felt it was time to start “dropping jewels” and letting people know whats really going on. “Politics is trickling down to the hood. Katrina. 9/11. Its effecting where we from and who we are more so then ever,” said the emcee who questioned the motives behind both Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X's murders on 2006's "Testify." “As a Hip Hop community, it’s a great thing to tell the truth. As an artist you hear about the bling, the chicks, cars, money, reefer, liquor all day. Sometimes you gotta put that stuff aside. We got real issues.”
Flo-Rida admitted that what happened in his home state during the 2004 election served as incentive for him to come out and make a difference. “I grew up in poverty, projects, and the hood. I’m looking forward to a better future not just for me but for the kids coming up.”
In addition to the Hip Hop artists in attendance, R&B princess Ciara and Chrisette Michele also represented for the cause. Ciara let the audience know that getting an education was vital in staying knowledgeable about the issues. “Education is power, knowledge is power,” she said. “I voted as soon as I turned 18 with an absentee ballot. It was that important to me and your vote is important too.”
Michele, who told DX that this election has also been inspiring to her as an artist, also stressed that she wouldn’t let the candidates sway her vote based on race or sex. “It’s exciting to see a woman and a black man running, although those are not the reasons I would vote for either one of them. The reason why I would vote for either of them is because of how they are going to impact my individual life.”
One Philadelphia artist, Gillie Da Kid, also came out to support the cause. “I was called to step up to the plate today. It’s called accountability and I just wanted to be accountable,” said Gillie, who reportedly just signed to Tony Draper's Suave imprint [click to read]. “You have a lot of individuals on stage from a lot of different genres. A lot of people that can’t even vote today will try to learn, go home and understand what’s going on.”
Overall, Chavis said the day was an incredible success. “I think this is the most inspiring presidential race ever. I was around back when the Kennedy's ran and that got a lot of people excited. I think this race sets a new standard.”
