There are few things as compelling as a celebrity taking on an activist stance in a political realm. After being a bystander to Takeoff’s death in November of 2022, Migos member Quavo set out to take on gun control by launching an initiative combating gun violence in his community and across the nation. His efforts since have led him to the White House where on Wednesday, Quavo sat down with Vice President Kamala Harris leading a conversation about ending gun violence in the wake of his nephew’s death. Along with speaking with Kamala Harris, Quavo also spoke at a panel at the congressional black caucus legislative conference alongside Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, Rep. Lucy McBath before appearing on Good Morning America. 

Last year, in honor of Takeoff, Quavo established the Rocket Foundation, an institution dedicated to investing funds and resources in gun violence prevention, a move that he kept mostly locally in Atlanta pursuit of the foundations community based mission. In speaking of Takeoff’s death as his own call to action, he says “I feel like your calling comes at the least expected times. You don’t think nothing is going to happen. I need to step up the place and hit a home run” he said. “I have to do something about it, so it won’t happen to the masses – especially in our culture. I don’t want this to happen to the next person. I want to knock down these percentages.” 

While his efforts up until this point have remained focused on funding for various foundations and initiatives, he called out legislatures Wednesday pressing them on their lack of support and action especially towards his community. “I feel like after going to the White House, I need resources,” he said. “I need a bag of goodies, so I can take back and say ‘Here, this is for the culture.’ We have that extension cord. We are plugged into that type of environment. I don’t think no one else in our stature is that connected. In order for things to change, we need resources.”

The Migo’s members visit to the White House also sparked movement in among the rap community motivating other artists to speak out. Yesterday Boosie took to Twitter to get the attention of the VP saying he wanted the chance to participate in gun violence prevention speaking of his own personal experience with gun violence and his connection with the youth. “I wanna advocate for gun violence prevention also!!” he said. “I know I can make a change because I’ve been doing it already when I talk to the troubled youth. Boosie's words hit different to the youth.” 

Quavo’s pressure on legislatures and the White House to take more action signal positive change in a long history of politics and music, specifically rap, coming head to head