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.”
Music
Ronan Furlong Blazes a Trail with Electrifying New Single “Elysian Fields”

Irish singer-songwriter Ronan Furlong is back with a vengeance, delivering an absolute firestorm of sound on his latest single, “Elysian Fields.” Bursting with energy and passion, this dynamic rock anthem feels like a breath of fresh air for anyone craving powerful, heartfelt music that refuses to play it safe.
From the first note, “Elysian Fields” grabs you by the collar and pulls you into its vibrant world. Driven by an electrifying guitar arrangement and a pulsing rhythm section, the song radiates a sense of movement as if it urges listeners to chase something bigger beyond the horizon. Furlong’s rich and full-of-intent voice anchors the track with a heartfelt delivery that makes the soaring chorus hit even harder.
The magic of “Elysian Fields” lies in its infectious energy and its ability to feel raw and refined simultaneously. It’s a rare balance that Furlong effortlessly achieves. The production is crisp yet unpretentious, letting the emotion of the music shine through without unnecessary gloss. You can feel the hands-on craftsmanship in every chord change and every lyrical turn, a testament to Furlong’s deep connection to his art.
Music
Ben Gage Shares a New Chapter with Soulful, Porchlight Reverie “Flyin'”

With his new single “Flyin,” Ben Gage invites listeners to relax, take a deep breath, and escape into a somber state of reflection. Apt to its title, this song does not walk but quarter-jog in an unstoppable clip swept along by a warm breeze of blue folk textures that sound like the sonic version of an old rocking chair on a serene porch.
“Flyin’” exists there, in the excellent space in between, where late-night soul searching and simple, heartfelt melodies find comfort with each other. From the first few strums, you feel as if you can see the stars emerge through your twilight curtain, the summer night air cooling your skin. Gage’s delivery is refreshingly honest. There is a lot of flashy overproduction or unnecessary layers here, a completely open heart, and what feels like a song written for the listener, rather than to them.
The laid-back groove of the beat also runs through the song like a steady heartbeat line, giving Gage’s voice and lyrics room to shine. His voice is filled with the wisdom of miles traveled, but the story never burdens it. Instead, it soars, spirals, and, appropriately, flies not trailing off so much as leaving the listener with a wistful longing for something hovering just beyond the horizon.
What makes “Flyin’” so special is its timeless and intimately personal nature. It’s not reinventing the wheel but leans hard into the authenticity of folk-blue traditions, making space for a very modern vulnerability. If there’s a verb for such songs, it’s “haunt.” This kind of song you find getting under your skin, a week and a half later, settling into your bones soon after the final chord dissipates.
Ben Gage created a mood, a space you can return to whenever life is a tad too fast or heavy. “Flyin’” is a call to stop, to breathe, and to allow yourself to float for a moment. It’s a small, defiant act against the sound of the world, couched in a melody that flows as easily as a conversation between old friends.
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