In a landscape often associated with progressive ideologies and social activism, the alignment of rap music with hard-right conservatives can seem like a paradox. Yet, the diversity of thought within the hip hop community defies simplistic categorization. Despite the prevailing sentiment that former president Donald Trump is a purported abhorrent racist, there exists a cohort of rappers who openly express their support for him.
While some rappers support Donald Trump due to personal experience with his administration, some others do so out of a desire to engage with a controversial counter-culture movement. Whatever the reasoning, it is clear that hip hop's political spectrum is far from monolithic, serving as a microcosm of the broader societal tapestry where divergent viewpoints coexist and collide. Here are seven prominent rappers who have expressed their support for the two-time popular vote loser.
7. Azealia Banks
Azealia Banks has remained one of the most controversial figures in hip hop for many years, frequently engaging in public feuds and beefs with other music industry veterans on social media and at private venues. Apparently, Banks is also a known Trump supporter, dating back to comments made during the 2016 election. The singer-songwriter is quoted as saying, "I think Trump is the only one who truly has the balls to bust up big business."
The notable female rapper reaffirmed her support of Trump during a November 2023 interview, stating, "He's just f*k*ing funnyyyy. He's been through how many bankruptcies? How many wives? How many television shows? Seriously, nothing can take him down?"
6. Waka Flocka Flame
Waka Flocka Flame is best known for making anthemic bangers like "Hard in da Paint" and "No Hands." The rapper has also made a number of pro-Trump comments over the years, with many fans praying that the Atlanta native is joking. In 2020, Waka Flocka claimed Trump was a better commander-in-chief than Obama and has continued to tweet in support of the controversial 45th POTUS ever since. Waka Flocka Flame even received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Trump in 2021, solidifying their bizarre relationship.
5. Benny The Butcher
Benny The Butcher recently came out in support of Donald Trump, although he offered very little reasoning as to why the twice-impeached former head of state would receive his blessing. In August 2023, Benny took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce, "I'm votin Trump 2024," prompting a slurry of arguments from passionate Griselda fans in the replies. Benny The Butcher refused to provide any specific policy reasons why he has joined other rappers in support of Trump over the incumbent president Biden. However, he did disavow previous lyrics he rapped, which maligned Trump as a poor leader.
4. Sexyy Red
Further, Sexyy Red supports Trump and has even suggested that many people in her neighborhood do as well. Red provided some insight into why the former president has her support during a recent episode of comedian Theo Von's This Past Weekend podcast. During her interview, she stated, "I like Trump. They support him in the hood. At first, I don't think people was f**king with him. They thought he was racist, saying little s**t against women. But once he started getting Black people out of jail and giving people that free money. Awe, baby, we love Trump. We need him back in office."
This sentiment echoes Trump's recent rhetoric, as the former one-term president falsely suggested that his polling numbers were growing within the Black community as his arrests and indictments stacked up. The actual polling data fails to reflect the alleged support, but if Sexxy Red is correct, there may be a silent undercurrent of Trump supporters from the hood.
3. Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne was one of the many incarcerated individuals to receive eleventh-hour pardons from Donald Trump as the former commander-in-chief concluded his term in office. Once Wayne was freed from prison, he joined Trump on stage and offered the former president his loyalty, and has even gone on to shout him out in several tracks. While many other rappers on this list believe in Trump due to a poor understanding of politics, Wayne has a personal stake in the former president's administration, as no other politician has offered the New Orleans native such clemency.
The Lil Wayne song "Tuxedo," which dropped in September of 2023, offered lyrics such as "I ain't Aaron Rodgers 'cause I'm still on that pack, n****. Still got twelve on my motherf****n' back, n****. Came home from jail, they was tryna send me back, n****. I just called my n**** Donald Trump and that was that, n****."
2. Kodak Black
Like Lil Wayne, Kodak Black was pardoned by Trump during the latter's final days in the Oval Office. Since then, Kodak has supported the former president and even accused his political enemies of manufacturing turmoil to justify persecuting him. During an April 2023 Instagram Live, Kodak stated, "I feel like these people are on some other s**t. They are trying to get Trump out the way cause Trump a stand-up n***a... Trump is a real n***a. He's a soldier... Y'all get off Trump, man."
These comments from the rapper specifically followed Trump's April arrest on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, resulting in the now-infamous Trump mugshot. The image of Trump's mugshot has been shared and utilized by both Trump supporters and Trump critics.
1. Lil Pump
Lil Pump has supported Trump since the former president unsuccessfully sought reelection in 2020. During the campaign, the "Gucci Gang" rapper joined Trump on stage and hollered his signature catchphrase, "esskeetit," to a crowd of very confused MAGA Republicans. Since then, Pump has continued to post pro-Trump messages and photos on his social media, including a recent image which shows that the rapper actually got Trump's wrinkly visage tattooed on his upper thigh. Obviously, Pump's support of the controversial politician goes significantly deeper than any other artist on this list, as the 23-year-old has branded himself for life.
