Big Boi from Outkast Votes Libertarian, Supports Gun Rights
January 18th, 2013
Over the course of a career spanning decades, Outkast set the bar higher than other hip-hop artists with regards to creativity and originality. Packed with intellectual lyrics and experimental sounds, the group tore new ground with each release. With time, commercial success and wealth came, but not after struggling in the underground, paying dues for years.
Such success affords an artist a platform from which to speak on the issues of the day. Big Boi from Outkast recently took advantage of this during a sit-down chat with The Huffington Post. In it, he explained that he supported Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson for president. He also voiced his support for gay marriage and gun rights. Let’s discuss.
Big Boi Supports the 2nd Amendment As a Check Against Tyranny
Some pro-gun Americans support the 2nd Amendment in a limited way, only accepting it as the right to bear arms for personal defense and hunting. However, the Founding Fathers viewed it as a fundamental right that extends to defense against tyrannical government. With an armed and vigilant citizenry looking on, politicians will think twice about attempting a military coup.
Big Boi’s interpretation of the 2nd Amendment is closer to that of the Founding Fathers. In the above-linked discussion from Huff Post Live, he said, “Where I stand at is on the Second Amendment, where the right to bear arms is not just for hunting and fishing and things like that. It’s the right of the American people to have a means of defense against a tyrannical government. Sometimes you gotta’ have that back up plan.”
Big Boi Voted for Gary Johnson
It’s no secret that the majority of musicians typically support the Democratic candidate for President. However, Big Boi is no average musician. The thoughtful and forward-looking rapper, known for pushing boundaries with Outkast in a manner comparable to Pink Floyd, took the road less traveled in the 2012 election by voting for the Libertarian Party’s presidential candidate, Gary Johnson. He also voiced his support for gay marriage, using a “live and let live” type of logic.
Explaining his views, Big Boi said, “Yes, I’m a libertarian. I’m, you know, liberty, justice for all… liberty for all. I’m really pro-people, pro-freedom, and, you know, this is all about positivity.” Ever since Big Boi opened up about his pro-liberty views, he has joined the debate on gun rights on Twitter, pointing out how gun control legislation was used to persecute African Americans during historic struggles for freedom against racist policymakers.
It’s nice to see another musician stepping into the front lines of the Liberty movement, especially one as extraordinarily talented as Big Boi. In the interest of full disclosure, Outkast’s Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik was one of my favorite albums in high school, and ATLiens changed my life. As each day passes, more and more libertarians come forward to join the battle of ideas.
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