Renowned Indian musician AR Rahman has recorded a 30-minute performance video to support Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate in the upcoming U.S. presidential elections scheduled for November 5. This makes Rahman the first international artist from South Asia to endorse a U.S. presidential candidate.
Key Details of the Initiative:
- Performance Video: The recorded performance features some of Rahman’s most beloved songs and includes messages promoting support for Kamala Harris and a commitment to the Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community. The video will be released on the AAPI Victory Fund’s YouTube channel on October 13 at 8 PM.
- Community Engagement: Shekhar Narasimhan, chairperson of the AAPI Victory Fund, highlighted the significance of Rahman’s endorsement, stating that it adds his voice to a coalition of leaders and artists advocating for progress and representation in America. Narasimhan emphasized that the performance serves as a call to action for communities to engage in the electoral process.
- Celebrity Endorsements: Rahman’s endorsement follows that of singer Taylor Swift, who publicly backed Kamala Harris after a debate against Republican candidate Donald Trump. Swift described Harris as a “steady-handed, gifted leader” and expressed her support for Harris and running mate Tim Walz in a post to her over 280 million Instagram followers. She pointed out key issues like reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ rights that align with her values and highlighted the urgency of these matters in the current political climate.
- Political Context: The race between Harris and Trump is closely contested, with recent polls showing the candidates virtually tied. The endorsement from Rahman and Swift is seen as a strategic move to galvanize support among their respective fan bases and the broader AAPI community.
- Teaser for Engagement: The campaign also released a teaser video featuring Rahman and MR Rangaswami, founder of Indiaspora, aimed at energizing activism and encouraging community participation in the electoral process.
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The involvement of high-profile artists like AR Rahman and Taylor Swift underscores the increasing intersection of celebrity influence and political engagement, particularly in pivotal elections like the upcoming presidential race in the U.S.
