Celebrity endorsements of presidential candidates are nothing new. As the 2016 election draws nearer, there is no doubt that the endorsements by typically non-political celebrities will increase.
Killer Mike, on the other hand, is not a typically non-political celebrity. His beautifully rousing speech this time last year after the decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson after the shooting death of unarmed teen Michael Brown cemented him as a politically active and aware celebrity voice.
In the rapper’s hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, Bernie Sanders met with Mike Render (aka Killer Mike of Run the Jewels and solo fame) before a campaign rally. Render described the conversation as
“It was just a conversation between two angry radical guys, one 74 and white, one 40 and black, finding common ground.”
Later that night, Render introduced Senator Sanders, and the speech was as moving as it was awesome and powerful.
Here are some of the highlights of the introductory speech:
“I have no time in my short 40 years on this Earth to relive the Reagan years. I have…I have no desire to see us elect our own Margaret Thatcher. I am here as a proponent of a political revolution that says health care is a right of every citizen. I’m here because working class and poor people deserve a chance at economic freedom and, yes, if you work 40 hours a week, you should not be in poverty. That’s why I’m here.
I’m not here to lollygag, because I rap, this could be y’all last time seeing me because I got tours to go on and I got jets to fly on and I ain’t lying. But while I’m here, I have to tell you that in my heart of hearts…I truly believe that Senator Bernie Sanders is the right man to lead this country. And I believe it because he, unlike any other candidate, said “I would like to restore the Voter’s Rights Act.” He, unlike any other candidate, said “I wish to end this illegal war on drugs that disproportionately targets minorities and poor.” Unlike any other candidate in my life, he says that education should be free for every citizen of this country.
Now I only have a few minutes, but as I read the “Atlanta Journal & Constitution’s” comments about me tonight, one jumped out at me that broke my heart that says “I don’t listen to rap and I’ll no longer be listening to Bernie Sanders,” and I just want to say (to) whoever wrote that: before I was a rapper, I was a son of Atlanta. Before I ever wrote one rhyming word on paper, before that, I was a black man in America. And before I ever learned how to dance a jig, I gave a damn about American politics, and I took to the streets and I advocated.
So, I know I’m preaching to the choir tonight. I know there are not a lot of voices of dissension out there. I know I’m preaching to the choir but I’m here to tell you: stay encouraged, stay invigorated, stay bold, stay confronting bulls**t at every turn, make sure that wherever you go…you take the name, the ideas, the philosophy, and the ideology of Bernie Sanders there and you make sure when you leave, they are on fire because they have felt the Bern.”
You can drop the mic after that introduction, Mike!
