Music

Barack Obama Theorizes Why So Many Rappers Supported Donald Trump

Getty Image There are parallels between Donald Trump and rappers that make the mogul seem more attractive to the artists that rallied behind him. …

During the recent election, many hip-hop fans were disappointed to find that some of the genre’s biggest stars chose to support Donald Trump in spite of his policies. Lil Wayne, Lil Pump, and more posted to social media openly professing their preference for Trump over his opposition Joe Biden, while others like 50 Cent joked that they liked Trump’s tax policy more than Biden’s. In a recent interview with The Atlantic, former president Barack Obama tries to explain why Trump’s presentation tended to resonate with this particular demographic.

“I have to remind myself that if you listen to rap music, it’s all about the bling, the women, the money,” he says. “A lot of rap videos are using the same measures of what it means to be successful as Donald Trump is. Everything is gold-plated. That insinuates itself and seeps into the culture.”

Indeed, there’s a lot of rap music that is explicitly about the topics mentioned above (and just as much that isn’t), while even some of the most progressive-minded minded rappers across the genre’s 40-year history have engaged at least a few of these tropes in their efforts to make their music and videos palatable to the widest variety of fans. Rappers in the 90s and 2000s often name-checked Trump to associate themselves with the perception of wealth and those constant cameos were a driving force in Kanye West’s 2016 decision to meet with Trump despite the then candidate’s divisive rhetoric. In Obama’s mind, this is symptomatic of growing materialism in the broader American culture, which makes someone like Trump seem more attractive than they really are.

“America has always had a caste system — rich and poor, not just racially but economically — but it wasn’t in your face most of the time when I was growing up,” he explains. “Then you start seeing Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, that sense that either you’ve got it or you’re a loser. And Donald Trump epitomizes that cultural movement that is deeply ingrained now in American culture.”

He does point out his optimistic view of the future, however, expressing his hope in a younger generation who values different standards for success. “When you look at the younger generation, Malia and Sasha’s generation, you see that more clearly,” he adds. “It’s more often articulated, what they want out of life. They’re much less likely to have a need to be on Wall Street by such-and-such date. That is not how they seem to be defining themselves quite as much. That makes me more optimistic.”

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Entertainment

Playboi Carti Feels “Like Weezy” as MUSIC Dominates the Streets

Playboi Carti is known for his unique style and unpredictable nature, but when he celebrates his achievements, he compares himself to one of the biggest names in hip-hop: Lil Wayne. Recently, his album MUSIC sold an impressive 500,000 copies in just two weeks, leading Carti to proclaim on social media, “FEELING LIKE WEEZY WE ALREADY PLATINUM N DA STREETS,” which means he feels as successful as Lil Wayne. Lil Wayne has greatly impacted hip-hop, and Carti has always admired him. You can see this influence in Carti’s music and style.

For example, Carti’s latest release is named after Wayne’s famous mixtape, showing just how much he looks up to the rap legend. Like Wayne, who built a massive following of loyal fans, Carti has also captivated the music scene. Interestingly, the success of MUSIC coincided with the ten-year anniversary of Carti’s first big hit, Broke Boi. A decade ago, he was just starting out, but now he is a well-established artist whose music releases are highly anticipated events. Fans are now looking forward to his upcoming album, BABY BOI. Given Carti’s history of surprising fans, it might take a while before the album drops.

Entertainment

Quavo Sparks Excitement for Possible “Huncho Jack 2” with Travis Scott

Could 2024 be the year that Quavo and Travis Scott bring back their popular collaboration, Huncho Jack? Fans are buzzing with excitement after Quavo shared a mysterious teaser that has everyone talking. While enjoying a ride on a speedboat in Miami, Quavo played a snippet of a new song featuring Travis Scott. He hinted that a sequel to their earlier project might be on the way by posting, “Thinkin HJ2? Tag Jack.” This has sparked a lot of speculation about whether the duo is working on new music together. Fans reacted enthusiastically, flooding the comments with hope for the sequel.

One fan expressed their desire for a follow-up after seven years, while another called the original album an “underrated classic.” The first Huncho Jack project, released in December 2017, stood out with its catchy tunes and the natural chemistry between Quavo and Travis Scott. It debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, selling 90,000 copies in its first week and topping the R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap charts. The project also included contributions from Quavo’s Migos bandmates, Offset and Takeoff, adding even more depth to the collaboration. With Takeoff’s passing in 2022, revisiting Huncho Jack feels both poignant and a way to honor his legacy.

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Now, seven years later, fans feel that a sequel is more important than ever. Both Quavo and Travis have grown as artists, Quavo is adapting to life after Migos, while Travis continues to break new musical ground with his latest work, Utopia. A second Huncho Jack album could blend their personal growth with their skills in making exciting and innovative music. The ball is now in Travis Scott’s court. Quavo has clarified that he’s ready to roll, but will Travis join him? Fans are eagerly waiting and won’t stop until these two come together to deliver the sequel they’ve been dreaming of for years.

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