The Charlotte Hip Hop Caucus welcomed rapper 2 Chainz for the “Respect My Vote!” campaign workshop on Saturday May 19th. The event was held at the Urban League of the Central Carolinas.
The Hip Hop Caucus’ non-partisan effort is aimed at mobilizing young voters between the ages of 18 and 40, registering new voters and teaching felons about their voting rights.
Rapper 2 Chainz was recently named spokesman for the 2012 “Respect My Vote!” campaign. He candidly shared his story with ex-felons living at the event. “I been a felon since I was fifteen years old.” 2 Chainz, born Tauheed Epps, told the group that he didn’t know he was eligible to vote due to his arrest for cocaine possession as a teen.
Epps is now proud to use his platform to let the community know that you can register to vote as an ex-felon after completing all terms of incarceration and probation. “When I went to vote for the first time, I wore my ‘I Voted’ sticker all day.”
The crowd appreciated 2 Chainz taking the time to speak about the importance of registering and being open about his views voting. One young man said that he has never voted before but after the workshop, he plans on registering and being at the polls for the upcoming election.
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