Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé and other black artists endorse Harris’ presidential campaign

Black musicians have stepped forward and participated in Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.

From Megan Thee Stallion to Beyoncé, many iconic black music creators are supporting the woman who could become the first black female president by performing at the vice president’s events and even giving her permission to use their songs in campaign videos.

On Tuesday, Harris held her first rally in Atlanta as the new Democratic presidential candidate. Voters packed the Georgia State Convocation Center and prominent black rappers made appearances.

Megan Thee Stallion opened the event by shouting, “I want to start by saying Hotties for Harris!”

Hotties 4 Harris is both a rallying cry and a hashtag that is trending on social media, with voters using it as a play on words with the Texas rapper to symbolize their support for Harris’ presidency.

At the rally, Megan performed her hit songs “Girls in the Hood,” “Mamushi,” “Body,” and “Savage.”

Each time, she referred to voting and bodily autonomy. “I know now that the women in the crowd love their bodies. If you want to continue to love your body, you know who to vote for,” Megan said at the rally.

While some people called Megan’s performance unpleasant, others found it encouraging and viewed her song choices as eye-opening and liberating.

Read more: Hip-Hop Women Support Trump. What’s Really Going On?

Throughout the rally, the crowd sang along to Kendrick Lamar’s Drake-bashing song “Not Like Us,” which resonated throughout the Convocation Center. Social media users pointed out that the song’s ambiguity wasn’t just about Drake, but also Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

“How everything that happens in this song can also apply to Trump,” reacted one voter on X. “She’s so smart.”

Atlanta-based rapper Quavo quickly approached the stage to support Harris and make a statement about his commitment to gun safety following the loss of his nephew and Migos bandmate Takeoff, who was fatally shot in 2022.

“One of the issues that I care about is solving gun violence,” Quavo told the crowd. “You can’t understand gun violence unless you’re on the ground or in the thick of it. One thing I’ve learned working with Vice President Harris is that she’s always been true to her values. From inviting her to the White House last year to discuss these solutions to passing some of the most important gun safety legislation in the world today.”

Not only have hip-hop and rap always existed as musical genres focused on political and social issues, often highlighting the plight of the black community, but they are also Harris’ favorites.

Last September, the vice president danced and sang as she hosted a celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary with several of the genre’s pioneers like Common and MC Lyte.

The vice president has continued to gain increasing support from black musicians who are championing her bid for president, a sharp turnaround from the drought of celebrity endorsements Biden enjoyed throughout his second-term campaign before dropping out of the race last month.

Shortly after Biden endorsed Harris and she announced her candidacy for president, many black musicians began posting on social media to declare their support.

Questlove, the legendary drummer for The Roots, showed his support for Harris on Instagram. He posted a photo with the vice president and tagged Harris with the words Kamala Harris for president in 2024.

“I know what future I want for myself, my loved ones, and the world,” the musician wrote on Instagram. “That future doesn’t involve handing over the keys to a twice-impeached, multiple-convict, sexist, racist, and insurgent man (the list is much longer, but I’m not playing the ‘lesser of the two’ game).”

Moments after Biden endorsed Harris for president, Lil Nas X took to X to tweet his support.

“Trust yourself, little bro! @KamalaHarris,” the country rapper tweeted.

Cardi B not only endorsed the vice president for president, but also defended her against attacks regarding her relationship with ’90s and early 2000s TV host and actor Montel Williams.

“What does Kamala Harris’ husband or relationships have to do with her qualifications? Do you hire people based on who they fuck?” Cardi B tweeted.

While some black musicians have shown their support for Harris on social media, Beyoncé has backed her by granting Harris permission to use her song Freedom (featuring Kendrick Lamar) in her campaign rallies and ads, solidifying the Grammy-winning legend’s political allegiance.

As the election draws closer, we’ll likely see more musicians supporting Harris for president.