music meshed with politics

This 2016 presidential election is revving up and getting heated. The political spectrum is extremely wide with Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders being on the complete opposite ends. From what I gathered online and on social media, people have very strong opinions regarding each of the candidates. It's interesting how in this day-and-age, we have social media to spread news and share our personal views on everything that's going on. It is crucial for candidates to be aware of and use these resources and see what the people are talking about. 

Yes, people share pictures, videos, articles and create communities to share in common views. But they're are some important people that need extra attention. These are the rich and famous, these are the people that have a huge following on social media and that following usually know everything about these people's lives. They live vicariously through them. But specifically, I want to talk about musicians.

Think about an artists fanbase: Fans look up to the artists and bands they love. They pay attention to what they're saying about the world and what others in that community are thinking. Candidates campaigns could really strengthen by gaining the support of these idols... but they also could feel the back end of it all. 

It seems to me like a lot of these artists are #feelingthebern. 

In Septempber, 128 "artists and cultural leaders" endorsed Sanders new vision for America and signed a letter which is displayed online on his website (https://berniesanders.com/artists/). 

The names range from rapper Killer Mike, to Chris Shiflett of the Foo Fighters. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have also gotten involved and hosted a fundraiser concert for him in Los Angeles. As months passed, even more musicians have come out and told their fans they're all about Bernie. 

A huge influence in the electronic dance music community is Bassnectar, who has almost 1,460,000 followers on Facebook, and 249,000 on Twitter. Bassnectar's community can be compared to that of the Grateful Dead. "Bassheads" compared to "Deadheads." 

I feel like most people wouldn't consider all these music lovers to be so interested, involved or knowledgable with politics. But I would completely disagree. I see it on social media. These 'bassheads' have created the Facebook group, "Bassheads for Bernie" with 11,444 extremely opinionated, passionate members.

I want to reiterate that they have 11,444 members... 11,444 people who love Bassnectar and his music, just as much as they love Bernie Sanders and his vision.

They created a Twitter account for the group as well. 

Recently with the primary elections, they have been posting pictures of the #bassheadsforbernie who voted in the election. 

They have also been seen wandering music festivals and attending concerts, promoting this group; convincing people to vote, sharing their ideas and then posting pictures of it all online. 

Okeechobee Music and Arts Festival - "HeadCount" Register to Vote Tent

As for Trump, he is definitely getting a lot of attention online from musicians, and to explain it as nicely as possible - I would say a majority do not like that he is running for the President of the United States. Their indecent language, and EXCESSIVE WRITING IN CAPS online on social media networks is what leads me to believe it. 

Bassnectar not only backs Bernie Sanders, but also strongly opposes Donald Trump. His fans, as many would agree with him, can really relate tweets like the one below about wanting to stop the horrible racism and aggressive attitude trump promotes at his rally's:

Diplo, popular DJ worldwide, has similar feelings.

Then the other day, rapper Mac Miller went on the Nightly Show with Larry Williams to explain his dislike for the candidate. Most people know he doesn't like him considering his song called "Donald Trump" made Trump so angry he tried to sue him.

 It didn't work though.

This video is quickly going viral, I think I saw about 7 of my friend's share it on Facebook yesterday, which is how I saw it, and using it in my blog post right now. And that is why social media is so important for the candidates, and for businesses. Once something is shared, it is shared and shared again, used as part of blogs, articles are written on it, and the news creates conversation. 

I bet, with the right person and the right content and the right fanbase, a viral post could seriously impact this election and change the game entirely. Curious to see what else happens in the coming months.