Luke Campbell fought the Supreme Court for free speech. Now he wants to fight for South Florida in Congress. And honestly? This is the most natural move in hip-hop’s political playbook.
Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell, the legendary 2 Live Crew frontman and Miami cultural institution, announced on February 15 that he is running for Congress in Florida’s 20th Congressional District. Campbell made the announcement on WPLG’s “This Week In South Florida,” telling host Glenna Milberg that conversations with residents across Broward and Palm Beach counties cemented his decision.
“What I heard, and what I already know, is it is a very underserved community,” Campbell said. “People want to be able to engage with their congressperson” (Miami Times).
This is not Luke’s first political rodeo. He ran for Miami-Dade County mayor in 2011, pulling 11% of the vote in a field of eleven candidates (HotNewHipHop). He stepped down as head football coach at Miami Edison Senior High School in January to commit fully to the campaign (TheGrio).
The Seat and the Stakes
The timing matters. The 20th District seat is currently held by Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who was indicted in November 2025 on 17 federal counts related to the alleged theft of $5 million in COVID relief funds. She has pleaded not guilty and maintains her innocence. But the indictment has cracked the door wide open for a competitive Democratic primary in August 2026.
Campbell is not the only one walking through it. Former Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness, civic activist Elijah Manley, and Dr. Rudolph Moise (a physician, attorney, and retired Air Force colonel) have all entered the race (Miami Times).
Hip-Hop’s Political Lineage Is Deeper Than You Think
Luke is joining a growing list of hip-hop figures who traded the booth for the ballot box. Antonio Delgado, who rapped as AD the Voice, represented New York’s 19th District before becoming the state’s lieutenant governor (Billboard). Dupré “DoItAll” Kelly of Lords of the Underground became the first platinum-selling hip-hop artist to win elected office as Newark’s West Ward Councilman. Battle rapper Bruce Franks Jr. won a seat in the Missouri House of Representatives in 2016. Chicago’s own Rhymefest ran for alderman.
The pattern is clear. Hip-hop artists are not just making protest records anymore. They are running for office, winning seats, and shaping policy.
Why This Matters
Hip-hop was born from communities that were politically ignored. The music has always been political commentary, from “The Message” to “Alright.” But commentary is not governance. What Luke’s run represents, alongside those who came before him, is the maturation of hip-hop’s relationship with power. Not just critiquing the system from the outside, but stepping inside to change it.
For Black and brown communities in South Florida, this race is personal. Florida’s 20th District needs representation that shows up, engages, and delivers. Campbell has spent decades doing exactly that through coaching, mentoring, and community organizing in Miami-Dade.
The Takeaway
Uncle Luke went to the Supreme Court and won a free speech battle that changed the music industry. Now he is betting that the same tenacity can change South Florida politics. Whether you are rooting for Luke or one of his primary opponents, the bigger story is undeniable: hip-hop is no longer just the soundtrack to political moments. It is producing the candidates.
Register to vote. Pay attention to your primaries. The culture is on the ballot.
