*Days after releasing a fiery anti-Donald Trump song, rappers YG and Nipsey Hussle are opening up about what prompted them to put their thoughts about the Republican presidential frontrunner in rhyme.
In the DJ Swish-produced “FDT (F*ck Donald Trump),” which Hussle stated was created about five days ago, he and YG leave little to the imagination regarding their opinion of Trump, whose face appears on a graphic with a large red “X,” Billboard notes.
The politically charged song kicks off with a quote from an interview with 19-year-old Valdosta State University student Tahjila Davis, one of approximately 30 black students who were kicked out of Trump’s recent rally at the Georgia college
As the tune continues, YG and Hussle shower Trump with a barrage of opposition with labeling him a “a Comedy Central ass n—a” and “cancer” and letting the real estate mogul know that “we gon’ f-*ck it up” she he “have a rally out in L.A.”
Below are highlights from YG and Hussle’s interview, where they sound off about Trump, his Democratic rivals and why it’s important for hip-hop artists voice their political views
What made you both decide to take your frustrations with Trump to the studio?
YG: Oh man, a million things. It got to a point where [Trump] was disrespectin’, saying shit that makes no sense. Me and Nip always talk about doing real shit about these politics, stepping up and saying stuff other motherf—ers are not doing so we finally hit the studio and really did it.
Nipsey: It was honestly a combo of me and YG. We were just talking about using our voices and YG had a concept for a song called “F— Donald Trump.” ‘Let’s do a F— Donald Trump record,’ he said. Immediately, I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ He had a beat and just started mumbling the hook. We was in the studio listening to it and we was like, ‘Go lay that right there.’ We heard it back through the speakers and we already knew this was powerful. I went in and immediately laid my verse. He went back and laid his, and the record was done in less than an hour.
Was there a specific Trump moment that really pissed you off?
Nipsey: Overall just hearing his stance on Hispanic people, especially being from L.A. Him being so vocal and one-sided on how he feels about Mexican people as far as categorizing [them] as illegal immigrants and that they make no positive contributions to the country. Number one, I’m from L.A. so I grew up with Mexican people and number two, I see Mexican people at all my concerts that really support. I felt like they needed somebody to ride for ‘em.
Honestly, that was one of the things that really turned me off to Trump aside from me having an assertion that he was just a privileged rich dude that got an out-of-touch view of the world. That made me [feel] like dude is definitely out of his mind and our country sounding crazy for even taking him as a legitimate candidate. It says something about the American people if he do actually get elected.
What are you thoughts on Sanders and Clinton?
Nipsey: I like seeing some of the things [Hillary] stands for. I like what Bernie Sanders is doing with hip-hop and just not being afraid to accept the love that he gets from rappers like Killer Mike. Like what YG said, it takes time. You have to look at what these candidates are standing on as their main principles. Obama was standing on healthcare, prison reform, same-sex marriages, and it seems like he pulled it all off, even though it took awhile. I personally have to see what Hillary and Bernie really put forward as their message.
Why is it important for artists, especially in hip hop, to share their political views?
YG: That shit is important because we got a lot of people with power that really ain’t doing too much. I feel like these motherf—ers that got more power have to open their eyes and register to vote but motherf—ers really ain’t doing nothing. Me and Nip always talk about that but we already deal with getting blackballed by the police, shows getting shut down, so we was always hesitant about going ham on shit. But f— all that — this hip hop, this rap, we got a platform and we’re going to use it for the right shit. I ain’t hesitating no more.
Check out m ore of the Nipsey Hussle and YG interview with Billboard, HERE.
To hear “FDT,” check out the audio below: