Government officials flaunt their rap skills in the political arena

(RNN) - Throughout the past 40 years, politics and rap music have had a complicated relationship.

The historical clashes between the two included rappers criticizing politicians, and politicians slamming rap as an obscenity.

Over the years however, politicians and rappers have grown closer, and some even support each other in instances such as rapper Killer Mike publicly endorsing Bernie Sanders during his presidential campaign.

Some politicians have grown to appreciate the art of rap music and have quoted lyrics from the genre on the floor of the House and Senate.

The most recent example comes from Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, who honored the late New York hip hop legend, The Notorious B.I.G. on the House floor in March in remembrance of the 20-year anniversary of the rapper’s death.

During this tribute, he quoted lyrics from the rapper’s 1994 hit, “Juicy.”

Here are other entertaining moments where politicians referenced rap.

At the 2013 White House Correspondents Dinner, former President Barack Obama quoted Jay-Z, saying, “I’ve got 99 problems and now Jay-Z’s one.”

When she accepted the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016, Hillary Clinton gave a nod to Lil Wayne, saying “After all when there are no ceilings, the sky’s the limit.”

In 2012, Rep. Dean Cannon, R-FL, and Alan Williams, D-FL, debated Jay-Z lyrics in Florida.

Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney quoted Baha Men “Who let the dogs out, who who.”

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-FL, quoted Jay-Z and Wiz Khalifa during a 2013 filibuster. Rubio is an avid hip hop fan. 

"That takes me back to another modern-day poet by the name of Jay-Z and one of the songs he wrote: 'It's funny when seven days can change, it was all good just a week ago.”

The late Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-OH, once quoted Nas on House floor.

“We even got a chance to quote Nas who said I can be what I want to be.”

Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-LA, quoted 2Pac on the House floor.

“They got the money for war but they can’t feed the poor.”

In 2007, Rep. Ric Keller, R-FL, quoted LL Cool J on the House floor to emphasize his long-time support for a police-funding bill.

“If I can quote LL Cool J the rapper, don’t call it a comeback, I’ve been here for years.”

Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-NY, once quoted Kanye West on House floor.

"In the words of a prolific, poetic philosopher, Kanye West, 'How could you be so heartless?'"

In reference to her disapproval of rapper Common's invitation to the White House, Gov. Sarah Palin, R-AK, claimed she wasn't against rap and knew the lyrics to Sugarhill Gang’s Rapper’s Delight in 2011.

"I'm not anti-rap. In fact, like Bret Baier, I know the lyrics to 'Rapper's Delight,' too."

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