Hip Hop Caucus Celebrates 20 Years of Impact With Unveiling of Inaugural ‘Artivist Class of 2024’

WASHINGTON, August 27, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Hip Hop Caucus, the national nonprofit organization at the intersection of art, activism, and hip hop culture, is proud to announce the launch of the "Artivist Class of 2024." This inaugural cohort of visionary artists and advocates comes together to bolster this year’s "Respect My Vote!" campaign, the largest and longest-running hip-hop voter mobilization effort. 

For two decades, Hip Hop Caucus has been at the forefront of harnessing the power of hip hop culture to drive social change, dismantle oppressive systems, and protect human rights. The "Artivist Class of 2024" embodies this mission, featuring cultural leaders like GRAMMY-nominated recording artist Tank from Tank and the Bangas, acclaimed actress and transgender rights advocate Angelica Ross from FX’s American Horror Story and Pose, and Ryan Butler, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at The Recording Academy. 

Central to the campaign’s launch was a dynamic and immersive photoshoot and video production. The shoot, masterfully captured by Hip Hop Caucus’ Digital, Production and Artist and Influencer Relations teams — JaRel Clay, Dawn Richard, Antonio Hernandez and photographer Yasmin Antonio — brought together this diverse class of artists, all dedicated to using their platforms to champion social justice and inspire change through their work. 

“The Respect My Vote! Artivist Class of 2024 photo shoot by Hip Hop Caucus is a powerful testament to the critical role that artivists play in issue advocacy and shaping our political landscape,” emphasized Dawn Richard, Hip Hop Caucus’ Artist Relations Director and organizer of the shoot. "This moment is especially significant because it underscores the urgent need for diverse voices and creative expressions in the electoral process. Artivists — artists who merge activism with their craft — possess a unique ability to mobilize, inspire, and engage communities in ways that traditional political campaigns often cannot. Through their compelling visuals and potent messages, they illuminate pressing social issues, galvanize voter turnout, and challenge systemic injustices. This campaign not only celebrates their influence but also serves as a clarion call for increased participation and representation in getting out the vote.”

The shoot captured visionaries such as: 

• Angelica Ross, actress and transgender rights advocate
• Durand Bernarr, recording artist
• Tank from "Tank and the Bangas," GRAMMY-nominated recording artist
• Antonique Smith, GRAMMY-nominated recording artist
• Ryan Butler, GRAMMY-nominated recording artist and The Recording Academy’s Vice President of DEI
• Zebretta Johnson, three-time Emmy Award-winning choreographer and professional dancer
• Erin Jordan, Executive Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Paramount Pictures
• Samata Pattinson, writer and sustainability consultant
• Saint Elgin, recording artist
• Andre Perry, photographer and director
• Megumi Nakazawa, painter
• Big Wind Carpenter, queer Indigenous organizer, artist & abolitionist

The artists’ portraits and video interviews will be released as a part of a multimedia campaign to engage and inspire communities across the nation. By harnessing the power of art, the campaign aims to drive voter participation and raise awareness of critical social issues impacting marginalized communities across the nation. 

About Hip Hop Caucus

Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that leverages Hip Hop culture to encourage young people to participate in the democratic process. Through a collaborative leadership network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.

Source: Hip Hop Caucus