Several prominent Black rappers have recently aligned themselves with conservative politicians and media figures, which the author finds concerning. Rappers like Ice Cube, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne have sat down with Tucker Carlson and supported Donald Trump. However, the author argues that right-wing populism threatens Black communities. While some see these moves as opening dialogue, the author believes shared values around money, religion, and distrust in institutions have brought these unlikely groups together against vulnerable people. As the hip-hop industry has become more commercialized and corporate, rappers have also gained wealth and political influence, but supporting policies that don’t help everyday Black Americans. The author maintains that rap artists have a duty to use their platforms responsibly by advocating for politics that materially improve conditions in Black communities.
Did some people think they were progressives?
I think it’s more that the GOP is a white-supremacist party, so while there is plenty of overlap between some toxic rap subcultures and conservative philosophy (misogyny, homophobia etc.), from a basic stance of self-preservation it doesn’t make much sense. It’s like a jewish person becoming a nazi.
Which also, tragically, happened.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_German_National_Jews
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Or a trans person becoming an anti-trans campaigner, which has also happened.
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The trans-community’s Phyllis Schlafly.
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When you have all that money and fame to insulate you, self-preservation is no longer a concern.