In a candid and entertaining interview with GQ magazine, Republican Sen. Marco Rubio opens up about gay marriage, his love for rap music, and what he thinks about Pac.
PHOTOS: History! Obama Becomes The First President To Visit Burma
The 41-year-old Tea Party fav didn’t hold back his views on the evolution of hip-hop and the difference between a party-anthem hit maker like Pitbull and a lyrical genius like Eminem. A guy like Rubio may be what the GOP needs to rebrand itself as an universal party for all Americans, since far right politicians have framed it as divisive and prejudiced against women’s rights, minorities and the LGBT community – and Rubio knows it.
In the article, titled “All Eyes On Him” by Michael Hainey, Rubio talks about the cross-over appeal that modern day hip-hop artists like Nicki Minaj and Yeezy possess.
“People forget how dominant Public Enemy became in the mid-’80s. No one talks about how transformative they were. Hip-hop’s thirty years old now, and it’s become indistinguishable from pop music in general. Many people say Nicki Minaj is a rapper, but she’s also a singer. Kanye’s a rapper, but his songs aren’t pure rap anymore. You’ve got the guy from Miami, Pitbull, who’s on TV advertising for Dr Pepper.”
Later on, he called Tupac’s rhymes “poetry.”
He then named his three favorite rap songs as: “Straight Outta Compton” by N.W.A, “Killuminati” by Tupac and Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.”
“Straight Outta Compton” – really, though? We guess the fresh-faced Senator’s music choice is much more diverse and inclusive then his party politics!
The Cuban-American politician also talked about his humble upbringing and the economic hardships his father and grandfather faced.
“Ultimately, the dignity that my grandfather and father had was showing up every day and providing for their families. The challenges they faced were very basic. You know, I think I said it in the book a tough day for me is if I lose an election or get a bad story in the paper. A tough day for my dad was they might be late on the rent. A tough day for my grandfather might have meant his daughters didn’t eat.”
However, when it came to President Obama, the Hispanic leader maintained that the unprecedented opposition Obama has faced stems from his politics and support of big government.
“The opposition faced by Barack Obama is a lot more based on an ideology and view of government that stands in contrast with what half this country believes. That’s why there is great opposition to him and I think there will be the same type of opposition for the person who gets elected and believes in the same things I believe in.”
Marco Rubio has a lot of potential in the GOP party, as he represents a new wave of conservatism. Don’t be surprised if you see him doing really big things come 2016!
To read the article in its entirety, head over to GQ.
