Can Hip-Hop & The Republican Party Co-Exist?

Public Enemy” discussed in their lyrics the movement towards
independence from the federal government, a solid Republican principle. The GOP for the last twenty years has struggled to present and market Republican policies in low-income neighborhoods across America. Perhaps Hip-Hop is the new solution to a dying brand amongst our youth.

Brandon Brice

In a recent rap song, featuring hip-hop icons Nasir “Nas” Jones and Jay-Z titled, “Black Republicans”, the concept of being a black republican has become the new mantra for hip hop moguls. The word “Republican” has experienced a form of ethnic taboo, suggesting that Republicans equate to old, white and wealthy males.

As a young black Republican the presumption is that the culture of Hip-Hop and the Grand Old Party can co-exist together. What if Jay-Z or LL Cool J supported a candidate like Gov. Mitt Romney or Gov. Mike Huckabee, on the basis that economics and self-sufficiency is the solution towards black empowerment? Imagine if MC Lyte or Lil Kim supported Secretary of State Condi Rice in an effort to promote the idea that black women can achieve anything in Congress or the White House when granted equal opportunity, not handouts. Def Jam founder, Russell Simmons has already designed and promoted a credit efficiency credit card for educating low-income families on financial literacy, a possible accomplishment to highlight for the GOP in 2012.

The Hip-Hop culture, which started out as a voice for neglected communities in the Bronx, has committed itself as a vessel of success for many young artists, since the 1970’s. Statistically hip-hop has created more black entrepreneurs than any industry in America, which in many cases correlates the message of the GOP. Historically, the Grand Old Party has contributed to the abolishment of slavery, the Women’s Suffrage Movement to vote and many other civil liberties for Americans. On the contrary, the Hip-Hop revolution has spoke on behalf of black issues in America, pertaining to oppression, poverty, women’s rights, injustice and empowerment for minorities.

Perhaps the idea of the Republican Party reflecting the changing dynamics of America can become a reality. It can illustrate a social and political shift in wealth from Wall Street trickling down to Main Street. Rap artist and political based groups like , “Public Enemy” have all discussed in their lyrics the movement towards independence from the federal government, a solid Republican principle. The GOP for the last twenty years has struggled to present and market Republican policies in low-income neighborhoods across America. Perhaps Hip-Hop is the new solution to a dying brand amongst our youth.

Brandon Brice - a graduate of Howard University and is a former graduate of the New Jersey Eagleton Institute of Politics fellow at Rutgers University. As a long time member of Republicans for Black Empowerment, Brandon is an active contributor to HipHopRepublicans.com. Brandon Brice has worked as a policy intern for the former House Speaker Honorable J. Dennis Hastert and has served as a fellow at the United Nations. He has been featured on C-SPAN’s Road to the White House, BET’s What’s At Stake and Hot97 with Lisa Evers. Brandon is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc, and attends the Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church in Harlem.