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Donald Trump has gotten the endorsement of a number of figures within hip-hop. Here is a running list, featuring figures like Sexyy Red, DJ Akademiks, and more.
Donald J. Trump has had a long, somewhat complicated relationship with hip-hop, one that goes back to the ‘90s when he was a symbol of wealth, swagger, and unbridled capitalism. He was an aspirational figure to most rappers; he regularly partied with the likes of now-disgraced moguls like Diddy or Russell Simmons and was mentioned on a number of iconic rap records, from Raekwon’s “Incarcerated Scarfaces” to Nelly’s “Country Grammar.” Then, in 2015, he became a lightning rod presidential candidate, running on an extreme platform that included a muslim ban and building a wall on the border to keep Mexican immigrants out of the country. By the time he won the 2016 presidential election, only one major rapper gave him full throated support: Kanye West, who infamously visited Trump in New York City a month after the election, discussing issues such as prison reform and American manufacturing.
Over the years, more rappers started to support Trump, even if one can logically question what some of the motives were. Outside of Kanye—Lil Wayne, Kodak Black, and Lil Pump were the most fervent Trump supporters in the lead up to the 2020 election. It ended up being a savvy move for Wayne and Black, who were both pardoned right before Trump left the presidency in 2021.
We are in very different times now. In 2024, Trump has had more success with rappers than any presidential candidate since Barack Obama in 2008. It’s also telling what kind of rappers are backing Trump: support is coming from figures in hip-hop who have notable fan bases but aren’t necessarily superstars. This coincides with Trump's improved polling numbers among black male voters, bolstered by his focus on the migrant situation in various cities and inflation.
Trump's anti-establishment persona, historically aligned with hip-hop culture, has contributed to his appeal, as well as a general fatigue with Joe Biden, who was the nominee before he stepped aside this weekend. He is also credited for the 2020 stimulus checks intended to alleviate COVID-19 economic pressures. (Ironically, those stimulus checks helped over-heat the economy, leading to inflation.)
Here is a running list of rappers and figures in hip-hop who have co-signed Trump in the 2024 election.
Donald J. Trump has had a long, somewhat complicated relationship with hip-hop, one that goes back to the ‘90s when he was a symbol of wealth, swagger, and unbridled capitalism. He was an aspirational figure to most rappers; he regularly partied with the likes of now-disgraced moguls like Diddy or Russell Simmons and was mentioned on a number of iconic rap records, from Raekwon’s “Incarcerated Scarfaces” to Nelly’s “Country Grammar.” Then, in 2015, he became a lightning rod presidential candidate, running on an extreme platform that included a muslim ban and building a wall on the border to keep Mexican immigrants out of the country. By the time he won the 2016 presidential election, only one major rapper gave him full throated support: Kanye West, who infamously visited Trump in New York City a month after the election, discussing issues such as prison reform and American manufacturing.
Over the years, more rappers started to support Trump, even if one can logically question what some of the motives were. Outside of Kanye—Lil Wayne, Kodak Black, and Lil Pump were the most fervent Trump supporters in the lead up to the 2020 election. It ended up being a savvy move for Wayne and Black, who were both pardoned right before Trump left the presidency in 2021.
We are in very different times now. In 2024, Trump has had more success with rappers than any presidential candidate since Barack Obama in 2008. It’s also telling what kind of rappers are backing Trump: support is coming from figures in hip-hop who have notable fan bases but aren’t necessarily superstars. This coincides with Trump's improved polling numbers among black male voters, bolstered by his focus on the migrant situation in various cities and inflation.
Trump's anti-establishment persona, historically aligned with hip-hop culture, has contributed to his appeal, as well as a general fatigue with Joe Biden, who was the nominee before he stepped aside this weekend. He is also credited for the 2020 stimulus checks intended to alleviate COVID-19 economic pressures. (Ironically, those stimulus checks helped over-heat the economy, leading to inflation.)
Here is a running list of rappers and figures in hip-hop who have co-signed Trump in the 2024 election.
What they said about Trump: “Donald Trump and his supporters don't care if you're Black, white, gay or straight. It's all love."
Amber Rose has had quite the journey, from the SlutWalk to the 2024 Republican National Convention.
In May, Amber Rose posted a photo on Instagram showing herself with Donald Trump and his wife, Melania. In the caption, she officially endorsed the former president for reelection. The online backlash was fierce.
However, instead of backing down, she has become even more entrenched, fully embracing the identity and defensive posture of a Trumper. She has loudly defended her endorsement; walked back comments she made in the past (in 2016, she threatened to move to Canada if Trump were elected president); and started doing more exaggerated stunts, like wearing a MAGA ring and a gold chain with Donald Trump’s head at the center. She even appeared in a terrible MAGA rap music video. It all culminated with her giving a speech at the 2024 RNC, where she revealed that it was her father who convinced her to support Trump. She gave a fawning speech, proclaiming, “Donald Trump and his supporters don't care if you're black, white, gay or straight. It's all love." It’s a line that contradicts some of Trump’s potential policies.
What they said about Trump: "My life was different when Trump was in office. My family's life was different, the economy was different, and I actually care about the border, you know?"
In early June, Trump made a campaign stop in Detroit, Michigan. In attendance were three of the city’s most popular underground rappers: Icewear Vezzo, Peezy, and Sada Baby.
Vezzo, who’s been somewhat outspoken with his political thoughts, later posted a photo with Trump and Peezy, using the caption "Told Donald I Made the 6 great again @realdonaldtrump,."
Despite Vezzo’s candid nature, the post drew criticism. However, he hasn’t shied away from discussing his concerns. In an interview with The Story with Martha MacCallum, Vezzo explained that he is “leaning” towards voting for Trump, despite the fact he comes from a family of Democrats. He said, "My life and my family's life were different when Trump was in office. The economy was different, and I genuinely care about border issues." He also took aim at Democrats, who he feels like took the reliable black vote for granted. “I feel our votes should be worked for," he said.
He also said his vote will be partially based on “personal experiences” with the candidates. So far he’s only met Trump, a moment partially set up by disgraced Fye Fest founder, Billy McFarland.
What they said about Trump: “I’m 35 years old, I’ve experienced a few presidents. And I feel like when Trump was in office… the world was better.”
About a month after Peezy met Trump, the Detroit rapper gave an interview to Dirty Glove Bastard, where he talked about why he was supporting the Republican candidate. He had similar views as Vezzo, claiming that things were better when Trump was in office, narrowing in on inflation and gas prices as main concerns of his.
What they said about Trump: “Trump is going to shout the wins for all of us.”
One of the more surprising moments on the campaign trail occurred when Donald Trump held a rally in the Bronx and invited two of Brooklyn drill’s most promising rappers, Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow, on stage. Sheff G took the stage first, proclaiming, “They will always whisper your accomplishments and shout your failures. Trump will shout the wins for all of us.” Sleepy Hallow, more subdued, then approached the mic and said Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again.”
One thing that connects these three figures is their recent legal battles. Days after the rally, Trump was found guilty on 34 counts on falsifying business records charges. (The sentencing on those charges seems to be in limbo.) Meanwhile, Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow both pleaded not guilty to racketeering and conspiracy charges and are out on bail.
After the rally, Peter Rosenberg, from Hot 97, said on the air that the rappers should be removed from the Summer Jam lineup. Sheff G would respond on Instagram, writing “Damn..thought we was free to vote for whoever we wanted 👀… I never knew we had to have the same political opinion as @laurastylez @oldmanebro @rosenbergradio in order to gain success 😭 Imagine that."
What they said about Trump: “I’m definitely voting for Trump, 100 percent. The reason why is that if he’s the only other candidate and if I gotta tolerate four more years of Biden, I’m not doing it.”
DJ Akademiks' turn toward conservatism has steadily evolved over the years—from the "War In Chiraq" series to his embrace of Rumble, a streaming platform home to many notable conservative voices. So it wasn’t surprising when in 2022, Akademiks revealed to Vlad TV that he was “definitely” voting for Trump in 2024. Despite claiming to be neither a Democrat nor a Republican, he shocked Vlad by stating, “The reason is that if he’s the only other candidate and if I have to tolerate four more years of Biden, I’m not doing it. Unfortunately, we live in a country with a two-party system.”
Akademiks' support has solidified over the years. He defended Trump after the former president was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records. And in April, he traveled to Mar-a-Lago to interview Donald Trump Jr.
What they said about Trump: “We need him back in office. We need him back because, baby, them checks. Them stimulus checks. Trump, we miss you.”
During Roots Picnic 2024, Sexyy Red performed in front of a giant red cap emblazoned with “Make America Sexyy Again.” This wasn’t her first nod towards Trump support. In a 2023 interview on the This Past Weekend podcast, she voiced her support for Trump, saying, “I like Trump… once he started getting Black people out of jail and giving people that free money. Aww baby, we love Trump. We need him back in office. We need him back because, baby, them checks. Them stimulus checks. Trump, we miss you.”
The stimulus checks talking point has become a common one amongst Trump defenders over the years. This comes, despite the fact that Biden also sent out stimulus checks.
What they said about Trump: “I fuck with Donald Trump, he brought the stimulus checks. We need more of that.”
Last year, TMZ approached ex-Shoreline Mafia member OhGeesy, asking the rapper about Sexyy Red and her comments about “the hood” supporting Trump. OhGeesy agreed, adding that he “fuck(s) with Trump,” while also mentioning that we need to bring the stimulus checks back.
What they said about Trump: “First time at Mar-a-Lago… Rain and traffic. Can’t believe I kept President Trump waiting. And I had on jeans.
Kanye West was the first superstar rapper to come out in support of Donald Trump, all the way back in 2016. At the time, his reasoning was centered around freeing the wrongfully incarcerated and unifying various points of view. However, ever since West, who now goes by ‘Ye, started flirting with politics—he garnered around 60,000 votes in the 2020 presidential election—his support has become spotty. In fact, ‘Ye has been mostly silent on the 2024 election.
The last public mention of Trump by West was in November 2022, when he visited Mar-a-Lago with white nationalist Nick Fuentes. Afterward, West took to X—then Twitter—and posted about the meeting, mentioning that he had asked Trump to be his running mate. It doesn’t seem like the conversation went well. Here’s what ‘Ye said in a video posted on X: “When Trump basically started yelling at me at the table, telling me I would lose—has that ever worked for anyone in history? I’m like, hold on, hold on, Trump, you’re talking to Ye.”
Months later, Rolling Stone followed up about the campaign and, unsurprisingly, ‘Ye’s Lawyer, Bruce Marks, told the publication that it was no longer happening.
What they said about Trump: “I fuck with that boy,”
On the last day of Trump’s first term, the former president pardoned Kodak Black, who was in jail on federal firearms charges. So it’s not surprising that Kodak is still supporting Trump. He confirmed the news on Drink Champs, saying, “I fuck with that boy.”
Kodak has taken his support of Trump to even more extreme levels, coming after Plies, who has been critical of the ex-president. On an Instagram Live session, Kodak said: 'We ain’t going for any Trump slander. You gotta get off that shit, Plies. Trump ain’t done nothing to you… You rich, bruh. We [are] rich. Fall back, love.”
What they said about Trump: “Donald Trump gave all the smokers checks so I was votin' for him.”
“We have a Philly rapper—he’s going places—I’ll tell ya… He’s got so much cash he doesn’t know what to do with it… and I love that hat on you, that hat looks great.” This was Donald Trump speaking about Philadelphia rapper OT7 Quanny at a rally in June. The buzzing rapper gave a full endorsement of Trump that day; not only was Quanny seen wearing the “Make America Great Again” hat but he even posed with Trump for a photo on the former president’s airplane.
A couple of days later, Quanny officially released a previously unreleased song called “Stupid Bandz” where he explained some of the rationale behind his Trump support, rapping “Donald Trump gave all the smokers checks so I was votin' for him.”
What they said about Trump: Greatest president of all time 🇺🇸
Lil Pump—or “Lil Pimp,” as Trump has labeled him—has been one of the biggest supporters of the ex president. He revealed he was voting for Trump a couple of days before the 2020 election. The endorsement didn’t stop Trump from losing to Biden, but maybe it played a hand in Trump winning Florida (probably not.) Since then, Pump has been one of the more aggressive supporters: he’s made songs about Trump; gotten a tattoo of Trump’s face on his leg; posted aggressively on X in support; and flicked it up with him. Interestingly, despite his vocal support, it came out that Pump didn’t actually vote in the 2020 election. Let’s see if he’ll show up this fall.
What they said about Trump: “He’s just fucking funny. He’s been through how many bankruptcies? How many wives? How many television shows? Seriously, nothing can take him down.”
Azealia Banks has never one to bite her tongue, even with her politics. She has been upfront about voting for Trump in the 2024 election. During a 2023 interview with The Standard, she talked about his appeal, saying “He’s just fucking funny… He’s been through how many bankruptcies? How many wives? How many television shows? Seriously, nothing can take him down.” She also said she doesn't have an issue with Trump—who has a reputation for being erratic—having access to the nuke codes, saying “Well, he didn’t press it the first time.”
In early July, Azealia was seen at a Trump rally in Doral, Florida. Music promoter Jake Inphamous posted a video with her on Instagram, writing in the caption: “Donald Trump invited Azealia Banks and I to talk about ‘Hispanic jobs’.”
What they said about Trump: “I’m fucking with Trump… Trump got shoes.”
In an interview with Hoodclips in March, Atlanta rapper Money Man was asked if he thought Trump was a good president and if he would vote for him in the 2024 election. He said: “I fuck with Trump. I would go Trump… This my thing—I don’t think the Democrats done did shit for us, man. I don’t see niggas getting rich out this bitch, man,” he said. Money Man also also said he appreciated Trump’s bluntness, stating, “At least the other side, they’re going to tell you how they feel, you know what I’m saying?”
What they said about Trump: “Make America Flock Again. You Deserve it… I love you Gangsta 🇺🇸 @realdonaldtrump”
Bronx rapper Kay Flock has been in Jail since 2021, when the up-and-coming artist was arrested on racketeering and murder charges. Obviously, he’s been out of the mix. He did, however, find time to send support to Trump on Instagram, putting up words of support on Stories. Last week he wrote: “All My Fans Go Vote For Trump ❗Make America Flock Again You Deserve it… I love you Gangsta 🇺🇸 @realdonaldtrump.”
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