Ranking The Most Influential hip hop presidencies

Hot Takes

Based on timelines, which presidential legacy since hip hop's birth in 1973 best shaped the history of the genre in accordance with politics and American society at large.

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

BY HARPSICHORD

Digital illustration of a fake Mt. Rushmore of Presidents Obama, Reagan, Trump, and Bush.

Ninth ranking

Joe Biden

46th president

While it’s a little too fresh to truly determine Biden’s long term impact on hip hop’s presence, it’s to be noted how difficult the task is to be President while one of America’s greatest cultural exports into the world turns 50 years old!

2021 - now

  • The track served as a MAGA diss rap, for the popular saying that truly means “f*ck Joe Biden”

  • MC Lyte comes to his defense following the embarrassing blunder.

eighth ranking

Jimmy Carter

39th president

Hip hop started getting recognized on a larger American scale during a time where Jimmy Carter had to deal with the shifting climate of how the media portrayed its presidents in relation to their audience.

1977 - 1981

  • It becomes a campaign stomping ground for others, such as Reagan and Clinton.

  • Watch the “Rapper’s Delight” video here.

seventh ranking

Gerald R. ford

38th president

With hip hop becoming the latest underground music trend, it started spreading like wildfire during Ford’s presidency which was all about recovering from what people had to say about the Nixon scandals.

1974 - 1977

  • The drumbeat has been famously sampled in Eric B and Rakim’s “Eric B. Is President" (1987) and Naughty by Nature’s “Hip Hop Hooray” (1992).

Sixth ranking

The Era of Troll Music And Trump Lyrics

Trump’s History of Running For President until Elected

Trump’s election and stint as present rose to prominence because it was the first time a seeming political insider did the unthinkable. Prior to him, every single President of the United States held some sort of governmental office position. Trump became the first to be an “outsider” of that trend, as he was only a commercial CEO, owner, or founder.

Trump had already ran for President once in 2000 as an independent candidate for the Reform Party. He ended up dropping out as his campaign wasn’t taken seriously. George W. Bush ended up winning that race– spinning hip hop into eight years of unrest featuring avid criticism of Bush. During that time it seemed as though Trump identified primarily as a Democrat.

Trump coming down the escalator in 2015.

What many did not realize was that Trump had found his ability to obtain a cult following by making outlandish claims. From the time he came down the golden escalator in 2015 to announce his candidacy– all the way up to his victory in 2016– Trump understood that hate would galvanize voters to believe in his mission to “Make America Great Again.”

Trump essentially campaigned like the controversial celebrity he was. It came under the guise of his billion dollar net worth constantly flaunted in the media, as well as his ability to dismantle politicians Americans felt ruined the country socially and economically. However, his aversion of the status quo caused fear amongst those who could see the long term harmful effects. From outlandish campaign speeches that alienated whoever came in the way of his campaign to uncensored, disparaging comments on social media, Trump showed (at that time) there were very little consequences for those who spoke their minds– no matter who got hurt in the process.

Trump meets with Kanye West after his Presidential election victory on December 13, 2016.

The Number Ones Of this presidency

The Number Ones Of this presidency

Donald trump

45th president

Used to be seen as a prominent figure in hip hop to be referenced (and even idolized), Trump alienated a majority of the genre because of his controversial campaign and presidency.

2017 - 2021

Trump campaigning in 2000.

In 1987, Trump registered as a Republican, but once Barack Obama was elected in 2008, he eased back into his first party. By 2011, he teased the possibility of running for the Republican Party. That started his campaigning, where he became a prominent face of the “birther movement.” Appearing on multiple talk shows, he falsely claimed Obama wasn’t born in the United States. This fueled the fire started in a 2008 movement from racists who voted against Obama the first go-round. Even Obama’s 2008 opponent, Senator John McCain, had to correct his voters on the misinformation. Even after Obama finally released his long form birth certificate to the public in 2011, Trump pressed forward. Finally, he had to admit in 2016, that Obama was indeed a natural born citizen.

The controversial merch that changed political history.

Oddly enough, hip hop had always had that integrity– as quiet as it’s kept. It’s the one genre where rappers can make the most off-the-wall comments in order to generate controversy and/or make people pay attention. And once people are paying attention, that means sales, press, and adoring fans who believe in what’s being said. Even if it’s all an act.

However, Trump’s candidacy and presidency has not been well received by hip hop’s top players. Primarily because of his racist rhetoric towards Black people. While many hip hop acts spoke out against Trump in their music, the increase of trolling in the age of social media seemed to increase (or at least be more visible). Oddly enough, the songs that upheld the standard of being “outsider” and stirred conversation became prominent material for discourse. While some of those songs even became chart toppers.

The Number Ones Of this presidency

  • Also in attendance Jennifer Lopez, Chance The Rapper, and Big Sean