Hip-Hop Veteran Eric B. Contemplates Entry Into NYC Politics

Eric B. Is President. That was a song title from the seminal hip-hop group Eric B. & Rakim back in 1986. According to Politico, it might be a goal for the future.

As the world celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Eric B. may be considering a run for political office.

Seriously.

Eric B., born Louis Eric Barrier and the DJ behind the God MC, Rakim, is currently honing his acting chops in the CBS police drama “Blue Bloods.” The hip-hop legend has appeared on the show since 2019 but may postpone further roles to pursue a career in politics.

The former DJ told Playbook that he is thinking of running for public office in New York City, maybe as a public advocate, possibly a city council member or an assembly member. He is putting an exploratory team together.

“Jeff Aubry, he’s older now,” Barrier said about the 75-year-old Queens, NY, Assembly speaker pro tempore, Jeffrion L. Aubry. “[Francisco] Moya’s seat is up in the City Council in Queens, I might go in that direction. … If whatshisname doesn’t run for public advocate again, I might run for his position.”

For the record, the “whatshisname” Eric B. spoke of refers to Jumaane Williams, the current public advocate in New York City. Eric B. has said that Williams isn’t “outside” these days, meaning he’s not been in the community.

“The public advocate’s really been missing for the last year,” Eric B. said. “He hasn’t been in the streets since he’s had the baby (in February 2022). You don’t hear from him. He’s been nowhere. And if you’re fighting for the people, you’ve got to be on the streets every day.”

If Eric B. does decide to run for Mora’s seat in Queens’ 21st Council District, it sounds like the outgoing politician is endorsing him, or at least saying he has a chance.

“I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of people running for that seat. I love Eric B. Not just his music, but I also know him personally. He’s a really great guy,” Mora is reported to have said of Eric B.’s interest in politics.

Whether we witness Eric B. as president, or in any political office, remains to be seen, but don’t count it out.