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One Green Planet Presents “Lotus for POTUS”: A Hip Hop Rap Anthem to Engage Voters and Raise Funds for Kamala Harris’ 2024 Presidential Campaign

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Image Credit: Event Rap/One Green Planet

Today, on September 9th, 2024, One Green Planet is excited to unveil our latest initiative: “Lotus for POTUS,” a hip-hop rap anthem. Released today in collaboration with Event Rap, this vibrant track is designed to rally Support for Kamala Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign while encapsulating the spirit, vision, and goals we share with her.

“Lotus for POTUS” features an incredible lineup of talent, including Queens rappers Jam Young and Lex Rush, Brooklyn’s Dex McBean, and Canadian science rapper Baba Brinkman. The song is further enriched by the mesmerizing sitar riffs from Neel Murgai, Artistic Director of Brooklyn Raga Massive, and lively hypeman vocals by Erik B for President. As a special touch, our Founder, Preeta Sinha, delivers a poignant Hindi monologue that bridges culture and advocacy.

One Green Planet Event Rap Preeta Sinha
One Green Planet Founder, Preeta Sinha with the Event Rap team and artists at Funkadelic Studios, NYC

We’re proud to share that all the rappers in the music video are wearing the “Kamala Harris for President” and “Lotus for POTUS” recycled, plastic-free, carbon-neutral, fair-trade t-shirts from the Election Collection available at TinyRescue, showcasing our commitment to sustainability while supporting the campaign. This visual representation also reflects the diverse faces of the future of America and highlights groups and artists who will be most impacted by her policies and changes the most.

This anthem is more than just a catchy phrase; it’s a powerful call to action. Inspired by the lotus flower—symbolic of resilience and purity—the song captures the essence of Kamala Harris’ journey and her unwavering commitment to a just and sustainable future.

With lyrics like “We are one, gotta stop all this ‘gimme mine’ / Lotus for POTUS ‘til we Walz-ing to the finish line,”  and “Thank you Joe, Letting her shine like a star,” rapper Jam Young reminds listeners of the unity and Support needed to drive meaningful change. 

The connection between “Lotus” (the Sanskrit translation of “Kamala”) and POTUS emerged in 2020 when Harris was tapped as Biden’s VP, and inspired a children’s book, Lotus the Vice POTUS, published in 2021.  As President Biden stepped back from the race, the excitement around Harris’ presidential candidacy has only intensified the momentum for this compelling slogan, making our anthem even more significant.

We are proud to feature powerful lines from Dex McBean: “Ms Harris is best equipped to bring black joy back to politics. So we can live free, with love, pride, and safe from violence.” These words serve as a reminder that every voice matters in the fight for systemic racism, public safety, and basic human rights further exemplifying the intersection of music and activism. 

Preeta Sinha, our Founder, has expressed her enthusiasm for this project: “’Lotus for POTUS’ is more than a song; it’s a powerful movement aimed at mobilizing voters and amplifying Kamala’s message to the world through hip hop.” Her passion for advocacy is at the core of this collaboration, demonstrating our belief in the potential for music to drive change. “It was a gratifying experience to create concept notes for the artists to rap about that resonate with Kamala’s campaign messaging. We covered everything from her famous words on the campaign trail like ‘We’re not going back’ to ‘When we fight, we win,’ and addressed major social and environmental issues she stands for,” Preeta added.

Additionally, Preeta gushed over the dream opportunity she got to write and record Hindi poetry with hip-hop thanks to the help of her parents, Geeta and Lakhan Sinha, and uncle, Shatrughan Sinha — veteran Indian politician and renowned Indian actor known for his diction, vocabulary, and powerful poetic delivery. 

The lyrics of “Lotus for POTUS” tackle pressing issues such as healthcare access, reproductive rights and sustainability. Lex Rush’s notable lines, “Clean energy for companies, fresh food more accessibly / Healthcare for you and me, but stay out of our ovaries!” highlight the urgent need for women’s rights and sustainability.

Preeta Sinha, making of Kamala Harris campaign anthem hip hop rap sinha
Preeta Sinha, Founder One Green Planet with Sitar player and Artistic Director of Brooklyn Raga Massive, Neel Murgai

This anthem is a celebration of diversity and culture. By incorporating Hindi and the sitar, we pay homage to Kamala Harris’ Indian heritage, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in our campaign. It serves as a reminder that the fight for progress is a collective effort that transcends borders and backgrounds.

Baba Brinkman addresses the importance of correctly pronouncing Kamala Harris’ name in his contribution to the anthem, emphasizing respect. He cleverly points out, “Kamala means ‘lotus’ in Sanskrit / Not Kaam-ala, it doesn’t rhyme with ‘Canada’” and urges, “No koala, don’t say Kam-AH-la, that has to stop.” This section of the rap highlights the ongoing struggle with mispronunciations of her name, reminding listeners to get it right. The chorus and hooks of the anthem are also dedicated to achieveing this goal. 

As we approach the crucial days leading up to November 4th, we invite our media friends, colleagues, and readers to share this anthem widely. Help us raise funds for the campaign and spread the message of unity and change that “Lotus for POTUS” embodies. 

“Lotus for POTUS” is not just an anthem; it’s a vibrant call to action. We invite everyone who cares about the future of our planet and social justice to join us in supporting a candidate who embodies these values. Together, let’s make a difference!

We invite everyone to pre-save or download “Lotus for POTUS” on Bandcamp and SoundCloud, with the song also available on all major streaming platforms. Proceeds from each download will be donated to the Harris Victory Fund, highlighting our commitment to social and political engagement.

The official video can be found on YouTube.

Please also follow us on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to share the video widely.

Please also check out the Event Rap’s website here!

For media inquiries, interviews, collaborations or further information, please contact: team@onegreenplanet.org

Kamala Harris campaign tees can be purchased at TinyRecue.org

kamala harris election collection recycled tees lotus for potus
Election Collection by TinyRescue.org

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