If Hip-Hoppers Were Politicians: 12 Artists Who’d Reign in DC

Diddy

Social Secretary

If there’s one thing Sean “Diddy” Combs knows how to do it’s host the most lavish and exclusive parties on this planet. From NYC to the Hamptons, to Atlantic City, to Atlanta, to Saint Tropez, and with a guest list that includes big names such as Ashton Kutcher, Russell Simmons and Martha Stewart—just to name a few—Diddy spares no expense at having a good time. That’s why we he gets our vote for social secretary. There’ll never be a dull moment in the White House thanks to Mr. Combs.

Jay-Z

Secretary of Commerce

Mr. Shawn Carter, aka Jay-Z, knows all about money—how to make it and how to keep it growing. With business ventures in fashion, real estate, sports, nightclubs, music and Broadway, it’s no wonder that he retains the number one slot on Forbes’ hip-hop Cash Kings list for a second year in a row with earnings of $63 million for the last 12 months. He’d have the best state of mind to oversee the department of commerce, whose mission it is to help make American businesses more innovative and competitive.

50 Cent

Chief of Staff

We’d like to think that Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson would be the Rahm Emanuel of the White House. Like Emanuel during his days in the Clinton Administration, 50 has a ‘take no prisoners’ style. His moves outside of the music industry, i.e. his G-Unit Clothing Company, collaboration with Glaceau to create the vitamin water drink, Formula 50; his acting career, and authoring his autobiography From Pieces to Weight: Once Upon a Time in Southside Queens, and The 50^th Law with Robert Greene,  50 demonstrates that he has a strategic mindset that would be an asset to the executive team.

Will.I.Am

Communications Director

It was two years ago that Will.I.Am released the wildly popular video ‘Yes We Can’ on YouTube, a song inspired by then-presidential candidate Obama’s speech ‘yes we can.’ Will.I.Am told Black Enterprise in 2008 that he is socially conscious about the things that occur in society, and understood that people were scarred about the direction of the country. Will.I.Am is skilled in conveying the messages of the public through music and video, thus making him a great fit for the role of Communications Director.

KRS-One

Senator

KRS-One would be fitting for the a position in the Senate because he is not afraid of speaking his mind, whether it be against black-on-black violence or police brutality. It’s a perfect fit since senators do a lot of talking and meeting with people, and KRS-One is no stranger to this type of work. As the founder of the Temple of Hip Hop, a ministry, archive, school and society, KRS-One has spoken in front of the United Nations and successfully got the organization to acknowledge hip-hop as a culture.

Ice Cube

Congressman

Ice Cube is all about getting the job done and he doesn’t care who or how it’s done so long as it’s done right. This is evinced from an interview he did with The New York Observer in 2008, in which he said Obama should be judged on how good he is, not by his race. “Him being Black is secondary to being a good president,” said Cube in the interview. He’s had his battles against police brutality and racial profiling, as well as against Tipper and Al Gore over their efforts to censor music lyrics in the 1990s. Hence, in Congress he’d to advocate for laws that would be most beneficial to Black communities.

Common

Secretary of State

Common is an artist whose music is very much in tune with the emotions, trials and successes of Black America. That’s why off hand, he was turned off by politics and the candidates because he felt all they did was spit the same game. But he got on board in support of President Obama’s call for change and since then, he has been involved with efforts to encourage people to vote. With his ability to connect with people, we believe Common would be a candidate for Secretary of State.

Nas

House Speaker

Nas is no stranger to controversy and is not afraid to challenge the status quo, to say the least. In 2008 he joined ColorofChange.org to demand that FOX news end its pattern of racist attacks against Black America. In his last solo album, Untitled, he challenged a still-racist society, George W. Bush’s administration and continued to push his message of self-empowerment for the Black community. The music industry is not immune from his attacks either; last month, he sent a letter to Def Jam calling them out for holding up the release of his up-coming album. Nas is a grassroots artist at heart; so with these qualities, we think he would serve well as the House of Representatives Speaker.

Chuck D

Commissioner of the FCC

Though you might be inclined to think of Chuck D as the ideal hip-hop president, he has other plans. According to Davey D, Chuck personally revealed to him his desire to be the Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission because he is media savvy and interested in addressing images in the media. He continues to stay on top of the issues affecting Black America and the ills of the music industry. For example, he released a track this year, “Tear Down That Wall,” in which he touches on the Arizona immigration bill that he deems as racist. But we know that Chuck would have no problem rallying supporters behind him no matter what he position or stance he’d go for.

MC Lyte

Supreme Court Justice

Of course, MC Lyte is been a pioneer in music, as she has established a solid ground as a female rapper in a male dominated industry. Outside of music, MC Lyte travels across the nation to motivate young people and show young women that they can be empowered without degrading themselves sexually. Also, she is active in various social projects, such as anti-violence campaigns, Rock the Vote, and contributing her time to several non-profit organizations.

Black Thought

Vice President

Here’s someone you don’t hear about too often: Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter of the legendary Roots crew. We felt Black Thought should make an appearance on this list because although he is under the radar, he is a conscientious hard worker, which is apparent by his nearly 3 decade-long career. He is a quiet soldier who is most comfortable voicing his views in his politically aware lyrics. His integrity is admirable and he has maintained a solid and devoted following over the years. Based on these qualities, we’d nominate Black Thought for the position of Vice President.

Kanye West

President

Yeezy is certainly a leader in his own right so we think he’d make for an interesting president. As he said during a recent press conference, he doesn’t “base [his] taste levels off of what the trends are, or what the common perception is…” Though he has been known to put his foot in his mouth, a la Taylor Swift, at the end of the day he has a creative and strategic vision that is ahead of the curve. A successful president must have an internal self-confidence, which Kanye clearly has,  though it can boil over into arrogance. He also knows how to surround himself with a strong team, i.e. Jay-Z and his own label, G.O.O.D. Music, which includes artists Common, Mos Def, Pusha T and Kid Cudi. Yeezy for President!