Harris Gains Celeb Support from Beyoncé and Taylor Swift in Young Black Vote

Excitement is building ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris’s forthcoming coronation as the Democratic presidential nominee, with speculation swirling about which prominent music star might grace the event. Will it be Beyoncé, the Grammy-winning artist behind the unofficial campaign anthem “Freedom”? Or perhaps Taylor Swift, fresh off her European tour and viewed as a critical endorsement for the Democrats this election cycle?

The buzz around these potential celebrity appearances underscores the enthusiasm originated by Harris’s month-long campaign, which is garnering significant support within the party. This celebrity backing could play a pivotal role as she navigates the upcoming battle against former President Donald Trump.

Tabitha Bonilla, a political scientist at Northwestern University, remarked, “The hope is that the transition to a Harris-Walz ticket will generate excitement on its own, and that these celebrity endorsements will amplify that hype. They are instrumental in bridging the engagement gap among young and Black voters.”

During this week’s Democratic National Convention, energy surged as Grammy-winning artist Lil Jon performed his popular track “Turn Down for What,” energizing delegates before cleverly reworking the lyrics of “Get Low” to reference Harris’s vice-presidential pick, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Imani M. Cheers, an associate professor at George Washington University, noted the unique merger of hip-hop and popular culture at the event. “This combination has fostered an atmosphere rich in hope and optimism,” she said. “With a Black woman, Minyon Moore, at the helm of the 2024 Democratic Convention, there is a focus on inclusivity that is appealing to younger and more diverse audiences. The expectation is that this dynamic energy will translate into voter turnout come November, propelling Harris towards becoming the 47th President of the United States.”

Bonilla, observing the convention firsthand, described Tuesday’s atmosphere as festive, particularly during Lil Jon’s performance. As a member of the millennial generation, she recalled listening to the rapper’s songs at college gatherings, creating a nostalgic connection that added to the overall excitement.

Notable performances were also delivered by vocalist Patti LaBelle and Chicago-born rapper Common. Director Spike Lee was seen among New York Democrats, while actor Wendell Pierce represented Louisiana delegates with a message targeted at Black men.

The wave of celebrity support follows previous engagements where rappers such as Megan Thee Stallion and Quavo rallied support for Harris in Georgia last month.

Bonilla pointed out a shift in political engagement regarding celebrities and young voters. “Democrats have historically struggled to connect with younger and Black voters, often perceived as neglecting their interests. There is hope that engaging with these celebrities will ease this disconnect, bringing greater excitement and an increased willingness to vote,” she stated.

Interestingly, Trump has also cultivated celebrity endorsements, featuring names like Amber Rose and Hulk Hogan at last month’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Other artists like Lil Wayne, Sexyy Red, and Snoop Dogg have also publicly supported the former president.

This battle for celebrity favor stands in stark contrast to past years when many celebrities faced backlash for their political activism. In 2018, Fox News’s Laura Ingraham notoriously dismissed basketball great LeBron James with a “shut up and dribble” remark after he criticized Trump. Beyoncé experienced criticism in 2016 for invoking the Black Panthers during a Super Bowl performance, while Colin Kaepernick was effectively ostracized from the NFL over his protest in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

However, the landscape shifted significantly between 2016 and 2020, with Taylor Swift joining the political fray after years of neutrality. Beyoncé has consistently engaged in political discourse through her music, with songs like “Run the World (Girls)” celebrating female empowerment, leading to her selection of “Freedom” as the campaign theme song.

Bonilla emphasized, “This song choice resonates powerfully not only because it features Beyoncé but also due to its historical context in relation to the Black Lives Matter movement, making the message even more poignant today.”

Actor Tony Goldwyn expressed hope that celebrities like Beyoncé and Swift would publicly endorse Harris, believing that their alignment with her values could yield significant political momentum. “Though it’s uncertain how much sway their support has on voters, the idea of adding to momentum is undeniably positive,” Goldwyn stated.

John Legend is set to perform at the convention, and pop star P!nk is also scheduled to appear during the event. While there’s no confirmation on Beyoncé’s attendance, Texas delegates played her recent song “Texas Hold ‘Em” during roll call, hinting at her possible presence.

If Beyoncé does appear and lends her support to Harris, Bonilla remarked, it could be a game-changing endorsement. “Who else could cause such a stir?” she mused.

Source: various news outlets