ENSTARZ EXCLUSIVE: Bun B Talks 'Leading By Example' At 'Hip-Hop And The White House' Premiere
'Hip-Hop and the White House,' a new film from the mind of Jesse Washington, examines the relationship between the most powerful American cultural movement of the past 50 years and the most powerful position on the planet — the President of the United States.
The film, narrated by rapper Jeezy, explains how hip-hop culture went from "ignored and misunderstood by presidential administrations to courted and embraced for its unparalleled influence on American youth."
ENSTARZ met with Bun B on the red carpet where he explained how important it is for the culture to plug in, saying, "Once we start leading by example, the flood streams open."
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"I want to see us understand the power that our platform has at other levels that maybe we don't exercise as often. To let people know how important being engaged in these things are," Bun B, formally Bernard James Freeman, stated.
"We need to start finding ways to lead more by example," the Trill Burgers owner said. "There are examples of hip-hop artists and contributors who have taken their knowledge as a culture and their impact and platform to actually go and effect real change in their communities."
As a member of the Recording Academy, the "Get Throwed" rapper has had the opportunity to meet with state congress up to the national Capitol to appeal to congress with the intent of finding better stream revenues and making sure people benefit from their participation in the culture.
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As far as the best political moments in hip-hop, the rap OG named Kanye West, now known as Ye, and his infamous live on-air proclamation that "George Bush doesn't care about Black people" in 2005. The 51-year-old ultimately credits Chuck D and Public Enemy as a moment he cherishes.
"I think the Kanye moment was significant, but I think our best living and breathing representation in politics and music would be and always has been Chuck D and Public Enemy, and his continued activism in the culture," the Houston, Texas native said. "Just putting up a middle finger to that big white building and saying we won't stand for what you guys are tryna give us — and he's still so active."
"I think I'm doing enough, I think I'm participating as much as I should be and putting in the right effort... then I see the OG, and the OG is even more engaged and out here on the front lines," Bun B said. "I'm like, 'Yo I gotta get up, I gotta do more.' "
The hip-hop documentary is set to release April 22 on HULU.
