Kamala Harris Hosts Hip-Hop 50th Party With Rap Music Hitmakers – Urban Hollywood 411

Vice President Kamala Harris took a break from the political scene this weekend to kick it with several hip-hop heavyweights.

Harris hosted a party on Saturday at the official vice president’s residence in Washington, D.C., marking the 50th anniversary of hip hop.

“Hip hop now shapes nearly every aspect of America’s popular culture. And it reflects the incredible diversity and ingenuity of the American people. It combines rhythms from the continent of Africa, from the Caribbean, from Latin America with the sounds of soul, and gospel, and R&B, and funk, to create something entirely new,” Harris said, “Let’s be clear, hip-hop culture is America’s culture.”

Let’s be clear: Hip hop culture is America’s culture.

It was a joy to celebrate 50 years of hip hop with some of the greats. pic.twitter.com/FgPKiPWu1b

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) September 10, 2023

Related Story: Kamala Harris Warns Republicans Are ‘Working Hard’ to Suppress Voter Turnout in 2024

Among the more than 400 guests at the event were Common, Jeezy, MC Lyte, Roxane Shante, Omarion, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, and Lil Wayne, who performed his 2008 hit “Mrs. Officer.”

The vice president was joined by other Washington insiders, including Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.).

Harris’ husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, told the crowd: “This is a hip-hop household!”

The event was planned in conjunction with the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective and Live Nation Urban.

Lil Wayne raps “Mrs. Officer” to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hip at Kamala Harris’ DC residence pic.twitter.com/hx5yi9lJxF

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 9, 2023

“Hip hop changed my world,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said.

He praised Harris for hosting the first-ever rap music celebration at the vice president’s mansion.

“Every day, vice president Harris is fighting for the people,” Mason said. “She’s fighting for our people. Our vice president was rooted in hip-hop, and it’s essential to who she is.”

Some D.C.-centric websites such as Politico said the gathering was intended to help shore up the Black vote ahead of the 2024 election.

Still, video from the event showed Harris having a good time. At one point, she removed her pink suit jacket and danced along to Q-Tip’s 1999 single “Vivrant Thing.”

“Go girl, go girl!” people in the crowd chanted as she danced.

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