Offset has launched a new campaign in an effort to stress the importance of voting. The collaboration with Rolling Stone was reportedly sparked after the publication learned a felony conviction cost the rapper his voting rights. Now, the Migos member is sharing his story with his fanbase.
Yesterday (Oct. 22), Offset posted the PSA on Instagram with a reminder that all votes do count. ”I was told my voice didn’t count. It does. You don’t think your voice counts? It does,” he penned his caption. “My voice + your voice can make real changes. I’m figuring things out. You can too.”
In the video, he recalls the time he was told he no longer had the right to vote.
“After I caught my first felony when I was 17 years old, I felt like basically I ain’t count,” he said. “My probation [officer] told me, ‘You can’t vote, you got a felony.’ It just made me feel like I wasn’t wanted or I wasn’t supposed to be involved.”
With encouragement from his mother, the “Clout” hitmaker inquired about his voting rights and discovered they were restored, so he’s paying it forward and highlighting the ways voting can help to bring about change in one’s community.
“You’ve gotta vote. That’s what changes the rules, change the laws,” he said. “I voted, and I was able to be a part of where I live which is at home here in America. My voice matters.”
Offset’s first time voting was in Georgia’s primary election back in June, but he isn’t the only rapper whose criminal record prevented him from hitting the polls.
Snoop Dogg — who will vote for the first time in the upcoming election — said he was “brainwashed” into thinking he couldn’t vote.
“I ain’t never voted a day in my life, but this year I think I’ma get out and vote ’cause I can’t stand to see this punk (Donald Trump) in office one more year,” Snoop said. “For many years, they had me brainwashed thinking that you couldn’t vote ’cause you had a criminal record. I didn’t know that. My record’s been expunged, so now I can vote.”
City Girls’ JT — who is unfortunately unable to vote because of her status as a convicted felon — has advocated for felons’ voting rights. “As a felon, I feel our votes should still count. I mean I do still live here in America & pay taxes as well,” she previously tweeted.