If you’re a fan of, or follow Killer Mike at even a small capacity, you understand how major it is for Mike to endorse a politician.
It’s not a surprise that Bernie would gather a following within the Hip Hop community. That much is not shocking. However, Killer Mike is a dude who has relentlessly spoken against government in all forms. It’s his belief that the US government has failed to accurately reflect and represent the majority of the country’s citizens, more specifically the poor.
Mike has never played his political opinions stealthily, on his last solo record R.A.P. Music, he dedicated a whole track to degrading Ronald Reagan and his policies, detrimental to the country’s poor and black communities.
To see, just a year later, Killer Mike stand up at a rally for a presidential candidate and sincerely offer his endorsement, is incredible at the least. In his short introduction he acknowledges his previous criticisms of government. Mike does not attempt to reconcile them either, rather directing his dialogue at the black community in Atlanta and the entire country. He tells them with honest passion that Bernie Sanders will successfully represent their views while serving as president. This may never be replicated in the future, that is Killer Mike speaking in favor of a politician. It’s a rare moment, and certainly an important one as it suggests Senator Sanders is giving a voice to those who have lost faith in the government.
art by your homie, Arthur Banach
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