Following a musician-starring “When We Vote We Win” Kamala Harris rally Wednesday in Madison focusing on pop, rock and folk – via Gracie Abrams, Mumford & Sons, Remi Wolf and Matt Berninger and Aaron Dessner from the National – Friday’s rally in West Allis was hip-hop heavy.
More specifically, it was a showcase for female rappers, spanning from MC Lyte, a pioneer in the ’80s, to fast-rising stars GloRilla and Flo Milli, to an impassioned speech from one of the biggest rap stars of all time, Cardi B.And while a planned appearance from soul legends the Isley Brothers did not take place, all the performers Friday, Cardi B, especially, made an impact at the rally – not that Harris’ passionate crowd of just over 12,000 people needed much help getting fired up.Here are three takeaways from Harris’ special musical guests Friday.
Cardi B slams Trump, shows promising potential political future, with fiery speech
Cardi B didn’t perform for her first Milwaukee appearance ever Friday at Harris’ rally.
But the hip-hop superstar offered something that likely was far more impactful than performances of “WAP” or “I Like It” — a fiery, nearly 10-minute speech that drew about as much passion from the crowd as Harris herself, complete with stinging soundbites delivered with her signature, seemingly off-the-cuff swagger.
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“I do not take lightly the call to show up, the call to speak up, the call to deliver a message that has been on my heart for a hot minute now …” she said.
“Just like Kamala Harris, I too have been the underdog. I have been underestimated, my success belittled and discredited. Women have to work 10 times harder, perform 10 times better and still people question how we got to the top.”
“I can’t stand a bully,” Cardi B continued. “But just like Kamala, I always stand up to one.”
Cardi B later addressed that implied bully, Donald Trump, head on.
“He’s selling us bigotry, misogyny, division, chaos and confusion. And it’s going to cost you your money, equal opportunity, affordable health care, and any rights you thought you had for your body. He’s going to take it from you! Listen to me. He’s going to take it.”
“I’m not giving Donald Trump a second chance,” she continued. “I’m not taking any chances with my future and I’m damn sure am taking no chances for the future of my children!”
GloRilla, Flo Milli show why they’re rappers on the rise
In a strong year for hip-hop from female artists, including new albums from Megan Thee Stallion, Latto and Ice Spice, Memphis-born rapper GloRilla had the highest first week sales for any female rapper this year for her debut studio album “Glorious.”
And her star power showed when she took the stage for a three-song, six-song set at Harris’ West Allis rally Friday. When the piercing screams settled down, GloRilla – decked out in a black and gold cap, black long-sleeve top, gold belt and camo pants – with gold flecks throughout her full wardrobe shimmering in the lights – ran through “Glorious” singles “Hollon” and “TGIF,” plus early 2024 hit “Yeah Glo!”
Evidently feeling the “TGIF” vibes on this Friday night, several fans in the crowd rapped along with GloRilla, with four backing dancers further amping up the crowd, while GloRilla slid effortlessly between matching choreographed poses (including some armflexing) and carefree nonchalance. The music was virtually the only message for her set, but she had one thing to say before leaving the stage: “Vote!”
Alabama native Flo Milli didn’t have backing dancers, but she brought plenty of confidence to a two-song, five-minute set that included “Conceited,” a key song that put her on the map, and her Bryson Tiller collaboration “Never Lose Me,” her biggest hit to date.
Hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte gets the rally going
Cardi B, GloRilla and Flo Milli arguably owe some debt to female rap pioneer MC Lyte, the first performer at Harris’ rally Friday.
“Is hip-hop in the building,” MC Lyte asked the crowd in the middle of her five-minute appearance.
Wearing a shimmering, sequined black blazer, Lyte opted for a medley that included throwback hits like “Make a Livin'” and “Cold Rock a Party.” But she devoted nearly as much time to speaking to the crowd about the importance of this election as she did to her music.
“Vote this season,” she said. “There are no maybes about this scenario. That’s how serious it is.”
Saying she had already voted, Lyte reminded the crowd that early voting ended Sunday, and urged rally attendees to help others head to the polls, where she said they can also register.
“Please take this treasure of information with you to those who have not voted yet, and stress to them how important it is, that on Tuesday night, we are celebrating because we put the right person in office,” Lyte said.
Contact Piet at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him on X at @pietlevy or Facebook at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.
