Our “Why I Vote” campaign gives artists a chance to share personal opinions on the key issues shaping the 2016 Presidential Election. Along the way, they encourage young people, a traditionally under-represented demographic at the polls, to participate in the political process that impacts us all. From Kesha to T.I. to American Authors, each episode focuses on a particular subject, including immigration, LGBTQ rights, mass incarceration, and education opportunities. We’re hoping to galvanize first-time voters interested in shaping their own future.
Advocacy for drug treatment and prison reform is close to John Legend’s heart. Throughout his young adulthood, John’s mother, Phyllis, was arrested several times on charges related to drug abuse. Since then, John has been extremely vocal in his beliefs that rather than criminalizing drug addiction, we should be doing everything we can to provide the treatment necessary for recovery. In hope of changing the conversation about our country’s policies and improving America’s criminal justice system, John says, “I vote to end mass incarceration, I vote for a free America.”
Previous episodes of “Why I Vote” featured Vic Mensa sharing his personal experiences with police brutality, T.I. telling his own story of growing up in Atlanta at the beginning of the government’s “War on Drugs,” Kesha discussing LGBT rights, American Authors talking about gun safety, and Becky G. discussing immigration.
Upcoming episodes of “Why I Vote” will premiere in the coming weeks, and will feature Andra Day, Common and JoJo.
Music video by John Legend performing Why I Vote. 2016
