Rapper takes Democratic candidate out for fried chicken and yams in his hometown before delivering enthusiastic endorsement speech at campaign rally

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Rapper Killer Mike showed presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders around his hometown of Atlanta on Monday, and delivered an impassioned speech in support of the Democratic presidential candidate.



“In my heart of hearts, I truly believe that Senator Bernie Sanders is the right man to lead this country,” the rapper said.

Killer Mike, a member of rap duo Run the Jewels, first endorsed Sanders for president in June. He wrote on Twitter that he had decided to support Sanders after the Vermont senator called for the restoration of the Voting Rights Act, which the supreme court weakened in 2013.

In Killer Mike’s endorsement speech on Monday, he referenced his song Untitled, from 2012’s RAP Music, which runs: “I don’t trust the church or the government. A Democrat, a Republican. A pope or a bishop or those other men.”

“But after spending five hours with someone who has spent the last 50 years radically fighting for your rights and mine,” Killer Mike said, “I can tell you that I am very proud tonight to announce the next president of the United States, Senator Bernie Sanders.”

Before the Fox Theater rally, Sanders and Killer Mike dined at Atlanta’s legendary Busy Bee Cafe. The soul food establishment has been open since 1947 and is known for its greens, black-eyed peas and candied yams.

John Wagner (@WPJohnWagner) Bernie Sanders and rapper Killer Mike at Busy Bee in Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/jqOiLlMgrQ

Sanders ordered fried chicken, yams, rice and gravy, according to ABC.

The pair also visited Killer Mike’s the SWAG barbershop in Atlanta. There, Sanders posed for a picture and with Killer Mike displayed the hand gesture depicted on Run the Jewels’ albums and T-shirts.

Killer Mike’s Run the Jewels collaborator, El-P, offered support for Sanders after the rally.

el-p (@therealelp) .@BernieSanders any friend of mikes is a friend of mine. #BKLYN

Killer Mike has appeared on TV news networks to discuss racial issues in the US and has hosted university lectures at schools including MIT and NYU.

He said that he was backing Sanders because of the senator’s positions on healthcare, education and drugs policy.