By Ismael AbduSalaam
In the midst of his strong headlining performance at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, The Blastmaster KRS-One made a strong political statement, by endorsing Kevin Powell’s run for the House seat in New York’s 10th Congressional District on September 9.
After bringing the crowd to a frenzy with renditions of “Black Cop,” “9mm Goes Bang,” and “The Bridge Is Over,” KRS then spoke extensively about America’s political process and the current presidential election.
“You know [Dick] Cheney is related to Obama by cousins, right?” KRS explained to the thousands in attendance at Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park. “The United States has never had a president that was outside of a certain family structure. Don’t vote because someone told you to vote. If you don’t vote, that is a vote as well. It means you are content with society and the way that it is. It doesn’t make you any less of an American citizen.”
The Teacher further elaborated on his view that the real impact of voting is seen on the local levels, where people such as activist/poet Kevin Powell currently serve.
“You want to really get your vote on?” KRS challenged after bringing Powell to the stage. “Vote for Kevin Powell. Local politics is where voting really counts. Vote for a new sheriff. Vote for a new Board of Education. Vote for a new congressman, one that comes to a gathering like this. This is where all candidates should be, in front of you…like this.”
Powell is challenging incumbent Edolphus Towns, who has served in the House of Representatives since 1983.
Knowing he faces an uphill climb, Powell spoke briefly to the mostly young crowd about his intention to bring their Hip-Hop voice to a higher political platform.
“We’re taking Hip-Hop to Congress y’all on September 9,” Powell promised the crowd. “Where’s Brooklyn at? If you’re in Fort Greene, Bed Stuy, Canarsie, or East New York I’m running to be your Congressman. September 9!”
A prolific activist, Kevin Powell has worked extensively throughout the country in prisons, school, and camps to mentor neglected inner city youth and the homeless.
He organized an initiative that sent over 700 college students to rebuild Katrina devastated regions.
In media, Powell worked as a senior writer for VIBE magazine from 1992-1996.
His latest book of poetry, No Sleep Till Brooklyn, was released in March.
