During the 2024 BET Awards on Sunday night, June 30, 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris made a strategic move to appeal to Black voters.
She referenced Kendrick Lamar’s iconic diss track against Drake in a video segment focused on voting rights and societal values.
In a pre-recorded spot aired during the awards ceremony and hosted by Taraji P. Henson, Harris engaged in a candid conversation about the upcoming election’s significance.
Henson expressed concerns over women’s reproductive rights and the future of the Supreme Court, framing them as pivotal issues where “our basic freedoms are being tested.”
Responding to Henson’s inquiry about her campaign experiences, Harris acknowledged the gravity of the moment.
“Let me tell you, you’re right Taraji, there is so much at stake in the moment,” Harris affirmed.
Drawing on Lamar’s lyrics from “Not Like Us,” a contentious track that dominated the hip-hop scene, Harris underscored a contrast with what she described as extremist views.
“The majority of us believe in freedom and equality but these extremists, as they say, they’re ‘not like us,’” Harris stated, prompting Henson to affirm, “They not.”
The awards show opened with a parody performance of Lamar’s track by Henson, setting the tone for Harris’s subsequent message on the threats facing voters in the upcoming election.
Without specifying candidates or parties, Harris highlighted attacks on fundamental freedoms such as voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, gun safety, and reproductive autonomy.
When asked about actionable steps, Harris emphasized the critical importance of voter registration. Henson, visibly engaged, mentioned her efforts in mobilizing her contacts to ensure they are registered voters before the November election deadline.
The 2024 BET Awards, broadcast live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, featured electrifying performances from Will Smith, Megan Thee Stallion, and Sexyy Red, whose thematic performance centered around a hypothetical White House run with her song “Get it Sexyy.”
Rapper Killer Mike, honored with the album of the year award for “Michael,” used his acceptance speech to advocate for civic engagement, particularly in local elections.
Addressing the audience, he stressed the significance of knowing local officials and holding them accountable for community progress.
Killer Mike, known for his activism and past endorsements of Democratic candidates, did not explicitly endorse President Biden’s re-election bid, underscoring the nuanced political landscape among progressive voters.
The 2024 BET Awards served as a platform not only for entertainment but also for substantive discussions on social and political issues crucial to the Black community, highlighting Harris’s strategic outreach efforts ahead of the upcoming elections.
