A Republican candidate for New York's 13th District is pushing a new initiative to launch a hip-hop-based political party called the New American Party.

Jineea Butler, a social activist and founder of the Hip Hop Union, told the New York Daily News that she’s frustrated with the lack of representation when it comes to issues in the black community and is working to get the New American Party’s appearance on the state ballot in November.

“We’re looking for somebody that can energize the vote so we can clear the 50,000 votes (needed to secure a guaranteed ballot line the next four years) and someone who resonates with millennials and young folks,” Butler told NYDN.

As for potential candidates for the party, Butler hopes to get either LL Cool J or Busta Rhymes to run for Governor in New York. Aside from being hip-hop icons, the two men are New York natives with over 30 years of experience in the rap game. They also have deep connections in the hip-hop community.

Butler has reached out to Uncle L, a Queens, N.Y. native, but didn't get a response. However, Bussa-Buss, a Brooklyn native, has expressed interest but haven't signed on just yet.

“We’re juggling a bunch of candidates we can look at from the hip-hop community,” said Butler. “Hip-hop changed the world 40, 45 years ago when it started. It just gave people absolute freedom of speech. We want to use that same principle with a strong agenda that addresses economic disparity and prosperity-driven initiatives.”

In order to get the New American Party’s line to appear on the state ballot in November, supporters need to collect 15,000 signatures by Aug. 21. Butler believes she can meet that goal.

"This would work right now in America,” she said. “America needs something else. We’re fighting against each other. We’ve come too far in this country to go back to racism. Hip-hop brought people together."

“Part of what we want to show is that we can pull out large numbers in a short amount of time, that people can get involved in the political spectrum, and it’s worth the investment into the opportunity,” she continued. “We’ve already got boots on the ground on this.”

 

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