14 october 2024 : Kamala Harris would make history as the first woman and first Black woman elected as President of the United States. To support her presidential campaign, the Asian-American and Pacific Islanders Victory Fund Committee has enlisted Oscar-winning musician AR Rahman.
AR Rahman Endorses Kamala Harris
Rahman has become the first international artist from South Asia and India to back a US presidential campaign. He endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris through a 30-minute virtual concert organized by the AAPI Victory Fund.
The AAPI Victory Fund is a political action committee focused on mobilizing eligible Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) voters and supporting Democratic AAPI candidates. Shekar Narasimhan, chairperson of the AAPI Victory Fund, stated, “With this performance, A R Rahman has added his voice to a chorus of leaders and artists standing up for progress and representation in America. This event goes beyond music; it’s a call to action for our communities to engage and vote for the future we envision.”
AR Rahman Performs Iconic Songs
The AAPI Victory Fund released a teaser featuring Rahman and Indiaspora Founder MR Rangaswami as they prepared for the concert. The full event aired on October 13 at 8 p.m. ET (October 14, 5:30 a.m. IST) on the AAPI Victory Fund’s YouTube channel and major South Asian media outlets. Rahman performed some of his iconic songs, including “Singapenne,” alongside messages emphasizing Harris’s historic candidacy and dedication to the AAPI community.
Social media erupted with praise for Rahman’s support of Harris. One user on X expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you @arrahman for making your voice heard. It’s crucial for artists of your stature to speak out against hatred and division. We need to unite to give Kamala Harris a strong mandate, as she stands against fascism, racism, and divisiveness.”
Another user noted, “Music composer AR Rahman has recorded a 30-minute performance video supporting Vice President Kamala Harris, which is expected to significantly boost her presidential campaign ahead of the November 5 general elections.”
Rahman’s performance and endorsement are anticipated to galvanize votes from the Asian community in the US. The Indian diaspora is predominantly located in four states: California (20%), Texas (12%), New Jersey (9%), and New York (7%). The elections on November 5 will feature a face-off between Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump.