20 musicians who weren't afraid to get political in 2018

Akon was once one of the most sought-out artists to collaborate with in the 2000s, but in recent years, he’s been focused on more business and philanthropic endeavors. He recently sat down with Newsweek about a potential presidential run for 2020 and spoke candidly about what it means to be black in Trump’s America. Akon is on a mission to bring communities together. Time will only tell if he decides to take on the next election.

Sean "Diddy" Combs is no stranger to being vocal in politics. Back in 2004, he launched his Citizen Change organization to encourage young minorities to vote. During the 2018 midterm elections, he brought back the organization’s signature catchphrase “Vote or Die” as he hosted a rally in support of the Democratic nominee for governor of Florida, Andrew Gillum.

Janelle Monae is known for her activism as much as she is for her music. She’s spoken candidly about fighting against police brutality, along with rights for women and the LGBTQ community. She stresses the importance of voting since her grandmother wasn't granted that right. When she performed at the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience this year, she told the audience, "Vote for somebody that wants to see this country work for all of us and not just some of us."

Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett knows how important it is to encourage fans to vote. While President Donald Trump was holding a rally alongside Governor Rick Scott in Pensacola, Florida, Buffett performed a free concert in West Palm Beach to support the Democratic nominee for governor of Florida, Andrew Gillum. Buffett even changed up the lyrics on his songs like "Come Monday" and "Margaritaville" to take digs at the Republican nominees. 

Kanye West first showed his support for Donald Trump back in 2016, and he continued to rally behind the president's "Make America Great Again" notions. Many fans and musicians questioned West for standing behind a president who doesn't seem to care for the American people, specifically for people of color. In October, West dressed in full MAGA uniform to meet with Trump and discuss prison reform. Just two weeks after the meeting, West tweeted he was being used and will distance himself from politics. Even with West's back-and-forth support for MAGA rhetoric, he's no longer the same person who once said, "George Bush doesn't care about black people." 

Sacramento rock group Cake felt it was its responsibility to encourage voters during the midterm elections. It created the "Vote Like Hell" project to implement voter registration and finding polling locations with events like rallies and concerts. If fans showed how they're going to exercise their voting right and used the #VoteLikeHell hashtag on social media, Cake would pick some of the best submissions and gift fans with exclusive prizes like merchandise and concert tickets. 

T.I. has often expressed his issues with Donald Trump's policies. This year, he even got slammed by the White House after one of his music videos featured a Melania Trump look-alike as a stripper. Besides the First Lady's communications director Stephanie Grisham calling for a boycott against T.I., the rapper held a voter registration drive in his hometown of Atlanta. 

Rihanna may be a cultural ambassador for her home country in Barbados, but she’s well aware how much of a platform she has with visibility. Before the U.S. midterm elections this year, she took to Twitter and Instagram to encourage her American fans to vote as she supported governor candidates Stacey Abrams and Andrew Gillum. One commentator questioned Rihanna’s authority and whether or not she was a U.S. citizen, and in classic RiRi fashion, she responded, “Nah I’m an immigrant tryna to get yo country together. Did u vote?”

For as long as Chance the Rapper’s star continues to rise, he’s also championed for change in the city that raised him, Chicago. Whether he’s donating money to Chicago’s public schools or mental health services, he’s always been outspoken about seeing the best for his fellow residents. This year, he endorsed Amara Enyia as the city’s next mayor with hopes of a younger generation for progressive leadership.

Although Taylor Swift may be one of the biggest stars in the world, she’s often been reluctant about sharing her views on politics. However, just a few days before this year’s midterm elections, she took to her Instagram page to endorse Tennessee Democrats Phil Bredesen and Jim Cooper as they ran for the Senate and House of Representatives. Within 24 hours after her post, Vote.org saw a high increase in site traffic and a spike in voter registration.

In 2017, Meek Mill violated his probation on a 2008 gun and drug case, and he received a two- to four-year prison sentence. However, he caught a break in 2018 and was released on bail. With his newfound freedom, Mill wanted to use his platform to advocate for criminal justice reform. In a recent New York Times op-ed, he proposed ideas to reform a broken justice system and how people of color are treated unfairly.

Kiss frontman Gene Simmons has often expressed his support for Donald Trump as president and his views. This year, he predicted that Trump will be re-elected by a landslide in 2020 and approved Trump’s views of building a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico.

Jennifer Lopez not only brings big productions to the stage, but she’s also adamant about her political views. She endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Presidential Election. However, more recently, Lopez has spoken out against Trump’s views. Once Lopez heard Trump’s policy about illegal immigration, she took to her social media to express the inhumanity of separating children from families and encouraged her followers to call their local congressperson. 

John Legend may be a sweet singer who sits behind a piano, but he’s never been afraid to voice his opinion and take a political stand. Legend can be seen calling out Trump on his views and policies that he doesn’t see fit for the better of America. Legend even made headlines responding to Trump after the president called MS-13 gang members “animals” and his stance on his best friend Kanye West supporting Trump.

Besides his support for Donald Trump, Kid Rock has often endorsed candidates in his home state of Michigan. This year, he supported Republican U.S. Senate nominee John James. Kid Rock was seen in ads supporting the candidate and performed at a couple of his rallies.

Controversial rapper Azealia Banks is known for getting into feuds with other celebrities on social media. She’s been known for switching up her stance on whether she was pro-Trump or anti-Trump. Back in October, Kanye West had a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, and Banks approved of the two meeting. "Literally no other black celebrity has gone to the White House with a level head to try and represent for us. I'm proud of Kanye for at least taking a first step in opening the dialogue," she said.

In September, Mumford and Sons posed in a picture with psychologist Jordan Peterson. The British band faced a lot of criticism after the photo was posted. Fans figured they were supporting Peterson’s views on white privilege and feminism, that was favored by the far right. But the band expressed their thoughts — although a picture was taken with another party, it doesn’t necessarily mean they agree on views.

Killer Mike is no stranger to sharing his views in politics. He was widely recognized in 2016 when he endorsed presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. However, he caught a lot of fire earlier this year, when his NRATV interview went viral about his support for gun rights and how he wouldn’t allow his children to participate in National School Walkout, a day recognized for protesting gun violence. 

Neil Young has often expressed his distaste for Donald Trump. He also hasn’t been a fan of Trump using his music at the MAGA rallies. Trump first used Young’s song “Rockin’ in the Free World” during his presidential campaign, but Young soon sent a cease-and-desist order to remove his music. However, Trump still used it during the midterm elections, and Young called him out again on it and how Trump chooses to ignore the people and their rights.

Cardi B’s influence has been growing by the minute. Besides encouraging her fans to make money moves, she also believes in voting. In September, Cardi took to her Instagram page to endorse New York governor nominee Cynthia Nixon. Cardi’s post came a day after her rival Nicki Minaj openly endorsed Nixon’s opponent Andrew Cuomo.