Marco Rubio recently garnered attention by unexpectedly referencing Kanye West. The United States Secretary of State, a known hip-hop fan, quoted lyrics from one of the latter’s songs while discussing war.
Marco Rubio references Kanye West while describing war
Marco Rubio recently addressed the House Foreign Affairs Committee, discussing Hezbollah’s war with Israel and the Lebanese government, as well as its people.
During the address, he quoted a lyric from Kanye West’s song “Stronger,” part of the latter’s third studio album, Graduation. Rubio said, “This has been going on since OJ had Isotoners” (via New York Post).
For context, this lyric shows up in the bridge of the song. It appears in the first four lines, which read, “You know how long I’ve been on ya/Since Prince was on Apollonia/Since O.J. had Isotoners/Don’t act like I never told ya.”
The Republican politician has previously channeled his enthusiasm for hip-hop. At a cabinet meeting in March, shortly after the US and Israel launched Operation Epic Fury against Iran, he quoted some lyrics from Public Enemy’s 1990 single, “Welcome to the Terrordome.”
He stated, “Every day, the Department of War lets the drummer get wicked over every portion of Iran that has military capabilities.”
This references the song’s first four verses. In it, Chuck D. sings, “I got so much trouble on my mind/Refuse to lose/Here’s your ticket/Hear the drummer get wicked.”
Moreover, at a White House press briefing last month, he referenced two 90s hip-hop tracks. While speaking about the Iranian regime’s leaders’ mental stability, he remarked that they were “insane in the brain.” This is a reference to Cypress Hill’s 1993 song of the same name (via CNN).
Also, while talking about the Islamic Republic’s actions towards its economy, he quoted Ice Cube‘s 1992 hit “Check Yo Self.” He warned that the regime should “check themselves before they wreck themselves in the direction that they [were] going.”
Before this, after United States forces captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, he quoted The Notorious B.I.G’s song, “Juicy.” While warning foreign enemies not to doubt the Trump administration’s aggression, he said, “If you don’t know, now you know.”
Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on Mandatory
