For Immediate Release
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY-16), Hank Johnson (GA-04), André Carson (IN-07), and Delia Ramirez (IL-03), along with artists, producers, and industry professionals, launched the first ever Congressional Hip Hop Power and Justice Task Force to center Hip Hop’s mission and vision of creating a more just and equitable world. The Hip Hop Task Force will give voice to the shared values of Hip Hop, including peace, love, and justice, while advocating for solutions to issues that disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other marginalized groups such as access to healthcare, mass incarceration, economic opportunity, and artistic freedoms.
“Without Hip Hop, I would not be here as a member of Congress, which is why I’m so excited to lead the first ever Congressional Hip Hop Task Force,” said Rep. Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY-16). “Hip Hop is the rebirth of civilization. It isn’t just music or culture— Hip Hop shapes our identities, our personalities, and the foundations of who we are. The political ideology I represent is rooted in the radical love and political perspectives that Hip Hop has given us, perspectives that center and uplift marginalized and oppressed people. From its creation in a basement in the Bronx at a time when young people of color were being villainized and oppressed to becoming a worldwide phenomenon, Hip Hop has ingrained itself in our culture and continuously called upon us to fight for civil and racial justice. Hip Hop is why I support the movement for reparations, an end to discrimination and corporate greed in the housing industry, and access to healthcare and economic opportunity for everyone. That is why I am proud to stand with my colleagues in bringing the advocacy and ideology of Hip Hop to Congress in this moment and continue our urgent calls for peace and justice across the world .”
“I am proud to join my colleagues in launching the first ever Congressional Hip Hop Power and Justice Caucus,” said Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04). “Hip hop resonates as the powerful soundtrack of our collective pursuit of social justice and equality and is the storytelling platform that unites generations. For that reason, it is important that we protect free speech through artistic expression. Respect is just a minimum.”
“Hip Hop has long given a voice to help us tackle issues such as prison reform, police misconduct, gun violence, and more,” said Rep. André Carson (IN-07). “Hip Hop has spoken truth to power for decades, and with this task force, it is elevated to the place it deserves in Congress. The fight for social justice is far from over, and we must continue to learn from the wisdom of Hip Hop to guide us on this enduring fight.”
“I am proud to be a Latina from Chicago, a city that urbanized blues, invented house, and continues to deliver music that gives a voice to communities of color and builds bridges across differences. Hip-hop, especially, has shined a light on our shared lived experiences, our hopes, our joys, and our resistance. This music has provided a platform for many in Chicago and IL-03, including Chance the Rapper, to empower our youth through the arts, education, and civic engagement,” said Rep. Delia Ramirez (IL-03). “As hip-hop celebrates its 50th anniversary, I am beyond proud to stand with my friend and colleague Rep. Bowman as a co-chair of the Congressional Hip Hop Power and Justice Task Force. Together, we will work with artists in the Hip-Hop community to support legislation that empowers our people.”
"Black Music Action Coalition’s (BMAC) mission is to work with business leaders and lawmakers to utilize the music industry’s influence to impact federal policies that address racial and social justice,” said Willie "Prophet" Stiggers, Co-Founder/ President & CEO Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC). “The RAP Act is just one example of how aligning BMAC’s efforts in tandem with the Congressional Hip Hop Task Force is a natural extension of Black Music Action Coalition’s work supporting solutions to mass incarceration, justice reform, and economic hardships disparately impacting marginalized communities. We applaud the leadership of Reps. Jamaal Bowman, Hank Johnson, Delia Ramirez, and André Carson in the formation of this task force and being unapologetic about their deep connections to hip hop and how its culture and musical legacy have influenced their decisions as leaders, thinkers, and activists. BMAC looks forward to centralizing our energy with the first-ever Hip Hop Power and Justice Task Force to activate legislation that protects the Black community.”
"Hip Hop Caucus is excited to support Congressman Jamaal Bowman and the launch of the Congressional Hip Hop Task Force,” said Hip Hop Caucus' President and CEO Rev Yearwood Jr. ”As one of music's most popular genres, hip-hop's cultural and political influence stretch globally and it has been a groundbreaking form of cultural exchange and creative expression for those who have been historically overlooked and marginalized. We look forward to expanding the power of this cultural force to advance policy solutions for the issues that disproportionately impact Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities."
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