Bernie Sanders is on a roll with rappers.
The endorsement by Freeman, who was one-half of the Southern rap duo UGK and is a guest lecturer at Rice University, follows closely on the heels of Sanders’s appearance in Atlanta with Michael Render.
Better known as Killer Mike, Render is another popular rapper who has flirted with running for a legislative seat in Georgia. Among other praise, Render said Sanders’s policy positions, which focus on social justice, line up with those of Jesus Christ.
Bernie Sanders and rapper Killer Mike at Busy Bee in Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/jqOiLlMgrQ
— John Wagner (@WPJohnWagner) November 23, 2015
In his upstart bid for the White House, Sanders has also picked up the backing of rap stars Lil B and Scarface.
While both Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton and Sanders have their share of support from entertainers, Sanders is counting on the nods from hip-hop artists to help with much-needed outreach to younger African Americans.
Polls have shown Clinton with a lopsided lead among black voters, and the former secretary of state enjoys the backing of a much larger number of African American elected officials than Sanders.
Sanders is also trying to make inroads through religious and community leaders, as evidenced by his visit this week to the Baltimore neighborhood that was home to Freddie Gray, whose death in police custody this spring prompted rioting in the city.
“It’s about awareness,” Bun B said to podcast host Mark Sonzala and Fat Tony, a fellow Texas rapper, during this week’s episode. “You know, so we wanted to let people know early on how we rock. You know what I’m saying? We’re not telling people to rock with us, but we’re letting them know how we rock.”
The conversation touched on several policy positions advocated by Sanders, including making tuition free at public colleges and universities and allowing states to relax marijuana laws without fear of federal interference.
Echoing a sentiment that Sanders has voiced on the campaign trail, Bun B said that for many children from poorer families, going to college seems like a “pipe dream” because of the cost.
“Preparing our young people for the world and their future shouldn’t be a burden on them or their families,” he said.