Past hosts of “Yo! MTV Raps” joined forces for a special collaboration that served as a rallying cry to get out the vote.
“Yo Just Say Vote,” is a special livestream broadcast hosted by André “Doctor Dré” Brown, Ed Lover, and T Money that is available to view at YoJustSayVote.com. The website has a voter guide that includes information on registering to vote, finding your polling place, voting early and more, along with a ballot lookup through Ballotpedia, where people can search and read up on candidates running in their areas.
In the video, the three men made the case for voting, and provided information on how and where to cast a ballot, the facts and fallacies of voting, and the importance of everyone making their voice heard.
“We just want y’all to vote,” Ed Lover said. “We don’t care who you vote for, you can be a conservative. You can be a Republican liberal. You can be a conservative Democrat. You can be an independent. We just want you to vote.”
“We’re standing in history, and we’re standing on the shoulders of many people who have died for us to have the opportunity to help change our government, to help change our lifestyles, to actually participate in the democratic process,” Doctor Dré added. “All elections have consequences. All votes count. And if you don’t go vote you can’t count.”
“This is the time for uniting the country,” he continued. “as we’re supposed to be the United States, not the separated states, not the states where we can’t get together and actually put ideas together and move forward.”
They also interviewed notable sports professionals World Rugby Hall of Famer Phaidra Knight; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Samuels; former WNBA player Kym Hampton of the New York Liberty; Miami Dolphins staffer Eric Childs; and the first Black woman coach on an NFL franchise, the Washington Football Team’s Jennifer King, to find out their personal experiences with voting and what they believe about its importance.
When asked about her feelings about voting and its significance, King said, “When I think about America; America is supposed to be the land of the free, the home of the brave, indivisible one justice, under liberty; come on, all of that matters. I encourage my people especially, my people, to come together to vote to make their voice alive, to let them know we’re right here … We have to vote for the best person that we think is in line with ourselves with our life, with our community. It is vitally important that our people vote.”
The trio ended the video appealing to viewers to take part in all elections, because otherwise people have “no right to complain about elected officials if you don’t vote,” said Doctor Dré.
Ed acknowledged that there is much fear and anxiety about voting, but said it was critical for people to exercise their constitutional right.
Ed closed the broadcast with one last plea: “Vote as if your life depends on it, because your life could depend on it.”
