Killer Mike, one half of rap duo Run The Jewels, declared his political aspirations today, announcing his candidacy for a seat in the Georgia state assembly only to be denied shortly after, on a technicality.
The MC, who’s real name is Michael Render, opted to discard the usual fanfare and flag-waving that often accompanies a political announcement, instead taking to Instagram to declare his candidacy. “In Atlanta Georgia there will be special election tomorrow for District 55,” he wrote.
“Former state representative Tyrone Brooks no longer sits in the seat. I would like as many people as possible to go to the polls and write in Michael Render. Why because if I win we win. Thank you now go vote.”
The candidacy was short-lived however, with Killer Mike soon after posting a video to Instagram explaining that he would not be able to enter the race because of a logistical technicality.
“I really felt it important to draw attention to this race,” he wrote. “We have BIG Problems in education, schools and prison reform in Ga and I I wanna see change. I wanna see Yall active in Local politics.
“The fact that ya’ll are willing to support me shows change is possible and while I run around rapping with @thereallyrealelp doing #RunTheJewels for the next few yrs I want ya’ll to get & stay active and Run for office!”
Speaking with Noisey, Killer Mike reiterated his belief in the importance of drawing attention to the race, and said he still has ambitions of running for political office in the future.
“If it would’ve worked, I definitely would’ve been going to Washington to represent the people of Georgia,” he said.
“I do plan on running though. I absolutely am. I’m just glad that my willingness to run today—even though I was doing it to get people to get out and vote and encourage people to get more politically involved and passionate enough to run for office.”
Not to be associated with Waka Flocka Flame’s tongue-in-cheek bid for the US presidency, fans of Killer Mike and Run The Jewels will be well aware of the MC’s well-documented political activism and views.
He delivered an impassioned and what seemed to be impromptu speech during a Run The Jewels concert near Ferguson, Missouri last year, after a grand jury decided not to pursue charges against police officer Darren Wilson who shot and killed 18-year-old unarmed black teenager Mike Brown.
He has also been a regular commentator on CNN and whether it’s during university lectures or in the middle of a show, he’s been known to speak with authority and passion on the topics of race relations and police brutality.
“If oppression is to even end in any way globally, it is going to take allies that don’t look like the people that are being oppressed as well as the people,” Killer Mike told Music Feeds earlier this year. “Now those allies don’t need to star in the movie goddammit…you should have friends that challenge you.”
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