Icewear Vezzo Challenges Blind Voting, Prioritizes Personal Experiences in 2024

Detroit rapper Icewear Vezzo, a former Democrat, emphasizes the importance of informed voting in the 2024 presidential election. He calls for questioning political candidates, breaking away from blind support based on personal feelings.

Detroit rapper Icewear Vezzo, who historically voted Democrat, is adopting a new approach to the 2024 presidential election. He believes that votes should be "worked for," and he will be basing his decision on his "personal experiences" with both President Biden and former President Trump.

Vezzo told "The Story with Martha MacCallum" that the Black community's vote should be something that candidates earn. He cautions against past instances where people "blindly" voted and were driven by personal feelings.

Icewear Vezzo Challenges Blind Voting, Prioritizes Personal Experiences in 2024

"Sometimes a lot of Democrats assume that we're supposed to just vote blindly, and I feel our votes should be worked for," Vezzo said. "I feel like our parents blindly voted for generations, but I think this generation is now understanding that we have to ask questions and our vote should be worked for. We should not just blindly vote because people say it's ‘cool,’ or tell us who to vote for because they want us to vote based on personal feelings. I vote based off of personal experience. I've experienced both presidents."

After meeting with Trump during a campaign stop in Michigan, Vezzo explained his rationale for meeting the 2024 presidential candidate.

"Told Donald I Made the 6 great again @realdonaldtrump," Vezzo wrote on Instagram. "But naw in all seriousness everyone not gonna agree with this picture but we don’t all have to agree on everything I just know not many of us will ever have the chance to really speak up for us and address how we may really feel so I stepped out on faith I didn’t meet him as a rapper I met him as a man and a father who understands the only way to attempt change things is to address things."

Vezzo's views align with a growing trend among Black voters who are increasingly disillusioned with Biden. A USA Today/Suffolk University poll published Sunday found that support for Biden among Black voters dropped roughly 20 percentage points since the last election in both Michigan and Pennsylvania. In Michigan, the poll found that Trump has 15% of Black voters, compared to Biden, who has 54% of the support from Black voters.

Vezzo emphasizes that he hasn't "fully endorsed" former President Trump, but he's "leaning that way."

"My life was different when Trump was in office. My family's life was different, the economy was different, and I actually care about the border, you know?"

"I actually have sense — we have sense, we have enough sense to ask questions. Not everybody that makes music or everybody that's from the trenches or the ghetto, we not all fools. You know, we don't do everything about money. No, I do not get paid. I'm just someone that… I'm a felon. I haven't always been able to vote, but now I'm able to vote, and I want to take advantage of my voting power, and I would like to ask questions," Vezzo added.

"The crazy thing is that, you know, my entire life, my family and the generations before my mother and grandmother — they all voted Democrat. They didn't ask questions, but I decided to ask questions."

Vezzo's call for informed voting has been echoed by other prominent figures. Former New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor said in an interview that "the swamp needs to be drained." He criticized the Biden administration's handling of the economy and inflation.

Former President Trump has made significant inroads among Black voters. A recent poll by CNN found that Trump is headed for a "historic performance" with Black voters. The poll found that 25% of Black voters would vote for Trump in a head-to-head matchup against Biden.

Vezzo's message resonates with a growing number of Black voters who are questioning their traditional support for Democrats. They are seeking candidates who will address their concerns and work to improve their lives. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, it remains to be seen whether Vezzo's call for informed voting will have an impact on the Black vote.