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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Artist Spotlight

Mick J. Clark shares a charming serenade with his recent release “My Friend Evonne”

“My Friend Evonne,” the newest single by singer-songwriter Mick J. Clark, pulled from his sixth album, ‘Pole Position,’ is a heartfelt tribute to friendship. It captures the unique, one-in-a-million kind of connection, the rare blend that embodies aspects of a soulmate, best friend, confidante, and lifelong partner, a relationship most of us only dream about.

The song radiates with overly sentimental warmth, layered in nostalgic charm and lyrical sincerity. From the first note, the gentle groove feels like slipping into a treasured memory. Clark’s deep and golden voice carries a kind of lived-in wisdom; it doesn’t just sing about love; it truly understands it.

Evonne, as depicted in the song, isn’t just the object of affection; she’s a magnetic muse, a vivid memory, and a mythical figure wrapped in genuine emotion, the spark that illuminates the entire song. Described as a princess and a devil, she takes on a cinematic quality in Clark’s world, one who’s impossible to replace, forget and even harder not to love. The beauty of the song lies in its simplicity: devoid of flashy production tricks or over-the-top dramatics, it emphasizes pure emotion, elite songwriting, and a melody that lingers like scent on a favorite shirt.

This authenticity is what keeps Mick J. Clark’s fanbase steadily growing. He writes from the heart, sings from the soul, and invites audiences into his narrative. “My Friend Evonne” isn’t just a song; it’s a sonic love letter with quite a triumphant chorus. And trust me, once you hear it, you’ll feel like you truly know Evonne.

For more information about Mick J. Clark, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Mick J. Clark’s “My Friend Evonne“ on Spotify.
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Music

Kate Neckel rides on emotions in new single “Wave Break”

Kate Neckel’s “Wave Break” bursts in with an invigorating splash of raw honesty. The song was recorded in a single spontaneous take from her NYC home and is a living, breathing moment. Once again, it is evident that Neckel’s boundary-shattering artistry also crosses disciplines.

“Wave Break” vibrates with unfiltered energy that can’t be faked. Just as she casts her visual art instinctively and quickly, her songwriting process is impulsive and in the moment. The effect is a track that feels more like a brushstroke on the canvas of your life than a studio-cut single. The imperfections are fingerprints and evidence of a real human being behind each note and breath.

What sets “Wave Break” apart is how closely it gets to a sense of place and presence. You can hear the hum of city life, apartment acoustics, and the urgency of inspiration coursing in real-time. It’s also intimate, gritty, and fiercely alive. Neckel’s voice glides along the track like the tide, flowing with feeling and then receding into reserve, and at no point does it lose its truthfulness.