What’s Happening
Ben Shapiro, conservative commentator and generally self-described critic of rap, surprised audiences with a debut rap single “FACTS,” a collaboration with right-wing Canadian rapper Tom MacDonald.
Why It Matters
The track’s soaring to the top of the iTunes Charts underscores how right-wing voices are not only influencing political discourse but also entering and impacting pop culture and music charts with messages interweaved with culture war rhetoric.
The Song’s Content
“FACTS” delves into a myriad of contentious themes—firing off about firearms, gender identity pronouns, calls to defund law enforcement, and critiques of progressive attitudes termed as actions by “woke Karens.” Tom MacDonald, whom the song heavily features, is noted for what’s being called “MAGA Rap,” a term designating a subset of rap aligned with conservative ideologies. Reflecting a tone of disregard for backlash, MacDonald vocalizes, “I don’t care if I offend you, I was put here to upset you.”
Shapiro’s Controversial Verses
In a twist that seems at odds with his historical view of the genre, Shapiro throws down lyrics that include references to modern hip-hop icons Lizzo and Nicki Minaj. He juxtaposes cultural icons with religious motifs, sensationally proclaiming, “Dawg, it’s a yarmulke, homie, no cap,” exposing a blend of hip-hop naratives and Jewish identity. His call to action prompts fans to help propel the song to chart-topping status.
Industry Response and Rap Entry
Nicki Minaj acknowledged the single’s success, congratulating Shapiro via social media. Though ostensibly a one-off endeavor riding the waves of irony, Shapiro’s speculative future in rap would join him with historically notable Jewish artists who shaped the foundation and evolution of hip-hop.
Cultural Impact
Ben Shapiro’s excursion into the rap scene comes around the 50th anniversary of hip-hop’s emergence, a music genre deeply influenced by Jewish performers and producers. The incursion of a stalwart political voice like Shapiro into the realm of rhythm and rhyme continues to blur the lines between political advocacy and entertainment, seeking to resonate with a politically-diverse audience.
Chart-topping Success:
The iTunes top charts debut denotes a nontraditional breakthrough in musical territory from a vocal critic of the genre, now playfully titling himself “America’s #1 Rapper.” Taking to social media, Shapiro commemorated the feat and connected with his audience around this unexpected novelty trek into music.
This story was first published on jpost.com.