Beyoncé, the unstoppable music powerhouse, and her iconic BeyHive fanbase are shaking up the political scene.
The mega superstar has thrown her weight behind Vice President Kamala Harris and her presidential campaign in a way only she can—through her electrifying music.
Beyoncé granted Harris the rights to use her song "Freedom" as the campaign's rallying cry. This infectious anthem now pulses through Harris's latest campaign video, injecting a burst of energy into her bid for the presidency after President Joe Biden shockingly bowed out of the race.
Biden, who made the surprise announcement on Sunday, has fully endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee for the upcoming Democratic National Convention in Chicago from August 19 to 22. In a show of unwavering support, he's passed the torch to Harris, betting on her to carry the party's hopes to victory.
In the campaign video, Harris declares, "Freedom not just to get by, but to get ahead. Freedom to be safe from gun violence. Freedom to make decisions about your own body." Her passionate speech, tackling economic opportunity, child poverty, and healthcare costs, is underscored by Beyoncé's powerhouse vocals.
"There's something about the sound of her voice and her vision of a world where Black people are loved and taken care of and things can be soft and beautiful," Black Studies Professor Omise'eke Tinsley told Newsweek.
As a self-proclaimed member of the "BeyHive" and author who explored how Beyoncé's work reshapes Black feminism and cultural narratives, Tinsley appreciates the 32-time Grammy Award-winning artist's music for its strong message of women empowerment.
She said the song "Freedom," energizes the Harris campaign by highlighting themes of freedom and minority issues, resonating strongly with Democratic voters.
"It's a song that recalls movements," Tinsley said. "Movements against police violence, rights movements, political movements, and political moments that Kamala has been a part of in terms of calling for justice for all racial groups in the eyes of the law."
While Beyoncé and her equally famous husband rapper Jay-Z have not officially endorsed Harris, many wonder if the association with such a power couple will help the Vice President secure more votes.
David Paleologos, the director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, told Newsweek, although it may seem counterintuitive, celebrities generally have limited impact when it comes to swaying voters.
Paleologos said the university poll found celebrities had minimal impact overall, with influence rated as "A lot," "less likely," or "not at all."
Beyoncé received 3% in the "a lot" category, 6% in the "less likely" category, and 84% in the "not at all" category. However, the "a lot" category rises to 18% among Black voters and 8% among voters aged 18 to 34.
He said celebrity influence would be more significant if the candidate were less well-known, serving as an introductory boost.
"If you were to run for governor in your state and had low name recognition, and Beyoncé came in, did a one-on-one with you, and endorsed you, your numbers would rise significantly because you're not currently a well-known quantity," Paleologos said.
Paleologos said since people have already developed their political views based on their experiences with both the Biden-Harris and Trump presidencies, the influence of a celebrity would be less significant.
Louis Perron, a PhD political consultant with a track record of winning elections in multiple countries, agreed with Paleologos.
He told Newsweek given the current polarization in the United States, celebrities can't automatically secure votes. However, they can help capture the attention of younger voters.
"It's a door opener and a bridge to younger voters," Perron said. "It can help introduce the Vice President to a younger generation as a politician they can relate to. The celebrity endorsements are a welcome development but do not expect too much from it or rely on it."
Richard Laemer, CEO of RLM Public Relations, told Newsweek while the increase in votes might not be significant, the impact of the "hype" generated by celebrities has notably evolved, especially in newer generations.
"Barbra Streisand, when she was in her prime, was talking about Clinton, and nobody really cared," Laemer said. "She didn't have the pull that Taylor Swift and Beyoncé have."
He said with the rise of social media, celebrities will keep speaking out about political and social issues, as it's difficult for someone with fame and fortune to remain silent.
Taylor Swift fans are throwing their support behind Harris in the upcoming U.S. presidential election and social media accounts dedicated to their efforts are steadily gaining followers. One of those groups includes the Swifties for Harris.
"Swifties for Harris is a coalition of Taylor Swift fans committed to protecting the United States of America's historical democracy by working together to help elect progressive candidates in local and national elections, including Vice President Kamala Harris for our country's next president," the group posted on social media. "We believe Harris has the experience, integrity, wit, and stamina to beat Donald Trump and progress the United States into a more flourishing and inclusive future."
Harris, the newly selected candidate, will compete against former President Donald J. Trump in the 2024 election. They are scheduled to face off in a debate on September 17.
On the third night of the Republican National Convention, the former president made a dramatic entrance to the strains of James Brown's iconic song "This is a Man's World." He was met with a standing ovation, coming just four days after an assassination attempt against him.
The following day, Kid Rock energized the raucous crowd at the Republican National Convention with his hit song "American Bad Ass" and had them chanting "Fight! Fight! Fight!" in support of Trump.
Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com
Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
