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Bun B becomes the latest rapper to endorse Bernie Sanders for president

December 10, 2015 at 2:40 p.m. EST
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders listens to Jamal Bryant describe the Freddie Gray mural during a tour with African American religious leaders of the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood of Baltimore. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)

Bernie Sanders is on a roll with rappers.

This week Bun B became the latest prominent voice from the hip-hop community to endorse the 74-year-old senator from Vermont in his quest for the Democratic presidential nomination.

“It’s important to start stating your opinion and choosing a side very early, because everybody needs numbers now,” the Texas emcee, whose real name is Bernard Freeman, said during a “Hip Hop for Bernie Sanders” podcast that debuted Wednesday.

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 hangs with rapper Killer Mike as he courts black voters in Atlanta]

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.

Rapper Killer Mike introduces Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who is running for the Democratic nomination for president, at a campaign rally in Atlanta. (Video: Bernie Sanders)

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.

[Bernie Sanders takes a pass on talking about terrorism during Baltimore visit]

“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.