As the 2024 US presidential campaigns heat up ahead of the November 5 elections, we’re witnessing an increasing blend of pop culture and politics in ways never seen before. The use of hip-hop, drama, and streamer shows is shaping the political landscape by both Republican and Democratic candidates.
Following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the US presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris, stepping up for the top job, seems to have successfully wooed young voters for her campaign, often using pop culture references, artists and more to take over the internet.
Equally, on Monday, August 5, I saw something I never imagined: presidential candidate Donald Trump casually chatting with internet streamer Adin Ross on the Kick platform. The 23-year-old streamer held a tête-à-tête with the presidential hopeful, and to everyone’s surprise, they hit it off. Picture this: Trump, a quintessential baby boomer born in 1946, engaging seamlessly with a young influencer from a vastly different generation.
This bizarre mix makes you wonder about the extent to which US candidates are willing to go to win votes. As my friend aptly said, “This can’t be real. We’re living in an episode of Boondocks.”
Trump entered the room to 50 Cent’s “Many Men,” discussing issues aimed at Gen Z voters—a significant demographic this year. According to Tufts University, about 41 million members of Generation Z (ages 18 to 27) will be eligible to vote, with around 16 million voting for the first time.
One highlight was Trump speaking in favor of incarcerated hip-hop artist Young Thug: “I hear that Young Thug is being treated unfairly… so he’s gotta be treated fairly.” This comment garnered cheers from Adin’s entourage and “Ws” in the chat, signifying a win among the young audience.
The 45th president of the United States didn’t just stick to talking about rap. His conversation with Adin Ross also touched on various pressing issues, from the war on drugs and illegal migration to the challenges of rebuilding US cities plagued by high living costs and insecurity. Trump passionately argued that young people are unlikely to achieve “The American Dream” if the Democrats stay in power.
As Trump wrapped up his stream with Adin, the left swiftly responded. There was a growing clamor for another popular streamer, Kai Cenat, to host a session with Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
To understand why this all seems so surreal, consider what these streamers usually do. They’ve gained popularity by pushing boundaries, performing outrageous stunts, or simply being hilariously entertaining. They’ve become pivotal in music promotion, hosting top names like Nicki Minaj, Playboi Carti, Lil Baby, and NLE Choppa. The leap to politics was just a matter of time.
Adding to the spectacle, rapper Megan Thee Stallion performed at a campaign rally for Vice President Kamala Harris in Atlanta. She wasn’t the only big name that night; Migos rapper Quavo equally endorsed Harris, who became the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee after President Joe Biden exited the race in July.
Recently, at home, President-elect Paul Kagame also reached out to the younger demographic. In addition to his usual nationwide tours to communicate his agenda, he engaged in an interactive session with content creators, who play a role in social networking and have a large youth following. They had the opportunity to ask pressing questions, and Kagame even hosted Rwandan artists who supported his campaign.
The big question now is whether Vice President Kamala Harris will join Twitch favorite Kai Cenat for a stream, leveraging the immense influence of pop culture to boost her candidacy.
