Former President Donald Trump has an interesting history with hip-hop – to say the least. The politician is often mentioned in rap songs, although the narratives have changed over the years. Trump has had an evolving relationship with creators and consumers of the genre that reflects broader societal changes over the past few decades.
The 1990s: Donald Trump was a symbol of wealth and luxury.
During the 1990s, Trump was largely seen as an emblem of wealth, power, and ambition. His name was synonymous with luxury, and he became a metaphor for success that many rappers aspired to. In 1995, Raekwon referenced Trump in his song “Incarcerated Scarfaces.” The line encapsulated a common sentiment of the time, equating Trump with financial success. Raekwon raps, “Poisonous sting, which thumps up and act chumps / Rae’s a heavy generator, but yo, guess who’s the lack Trump?”
A year later, Nas mentioned the mogul in “Money Is My B—h” from his album I Am… Here, Trump’s name was used to symbolize loyalty — as the former president was often spotted with his ex-wife, Marla Maples. “N***as always expect to see us two together, stable / The best couple they seen since Trump and Marla Maple,” Nas raps.
The 2000s: Attitudes toward Donald Trump changed at the turn of the century.
As the 2000s unfolded, the tone of Trump’s presence in hip-hop began to shift. While he was still admired for his wealth, criticism of the mogul began to seep into rap lyrics. During this time, Trump’s persona in hip-hop was both revered and questioned, reflecting a nuanced view of the American Dream and the complexities of wealth.
In his hit song, “It’s Going Down,” Young Joc gave Trump a shoutout, glamorizing the Celebrity Apprentice star’s luxurious lifestyle. “Time to flip the work, make the block bump / Boys in the hood call me Black Donald Trump,” Joc raps in the song.
However, Kanye “Ye West was more critical of the celebrity-turned-politician. Ye slams Trump on “So Appalled,” rapping, “I’m so appalled, Spalding ball / Balding Donald Trump taking dollars from y’all.”
The 2010s: Hip-hop’s relationship with Trump changed when he ran for president.
Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and subsequent election in 2016 marked a dramatic shift in his portrayal within the hip-hop community. His policies, rhetoric, and actions as president drew sharp criticism from many artists who had once name-checked him as a symbol of success.
“Donald Trump is a chump / Know how we feel, punk. Tell him that God comin’ / And Russia need a replay button, y’all up to somethin’,” Kendrick Lamar raps on “The Heart Part 4.”
The song, which was included on his album of the same name, became an anthem of protest against Trump’s presidency. Freddie Gibbs trashed Trump in his 2019 song “Education,” pointing to the then-president’s Twitter rants. Freddie raps, “You ain’t lit, you litter like Trump Twitter feed / Black mobster s—, I’m more Melvin Williams than Genovese.”
Trump’s name in hip-hop often serves as a shorthand for discussions about wealth inequality. However, his legacy in the genre is a testament to hip-hop’s role as a cultural barometer, capturing the rise and fall of celebrities in the public consciousness.
Main photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage
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