The complexities of identity and cultural authenticity take center stage when examining the narratives surrounding public figures like Drake and Kamala Harris. In a society where racial dynamics continue to evolve, both individuals face scrutiny and criticism from various corners. Recent comments from former President Trump and Senator JD Vance about Vice President Harris echo the longstanding debates about race and authenticity, reminiscent of the issues rapper Drake faces within hip-hop culture.
On the same day that former President Trump claimed before a national gathering of Black journalists that Vice President Kamala Harris “was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn, and she became a Black person,” his running mate Sen. JD Vance accused Harris of being a “phony” who “grew up in Canada” (she attended high school in Montreal) and used “a fake Southern accent” at a rally.
Both men’s accusations sound eerily like those leveled against the rapper Drake by his fellow hip-hop titan Kendrick Lamar (and many others) in a rap beef whose effects linger. Drake has been accused of being a “colonizer” whose Canadian identity and eager embrace of various aspects and accents of a wide range of Black culture make him racially suspect.
| Details | Kamala Harris | Drake |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Kamala Devi Harris | Aubrey Drake Graham |
| Date of Birth | October 20, 1964 | October 24, 1986 |
| Profession | Politician, Lawyer | Rapper, Singer, Songwriter |
| Nationality | American | Canadian |
