Christian Rapper Dee-1 Interviews Ben Carson on BET
BET hosted an #AllVotesMatter livestream at the end of January that featured Louisiana rapper Dee-1 on the stage alongside GOP presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson for a unique discussion on Carson's policies, faith, family and education.
Christian rapper Dee-1 made several appearances on hip-hop mainstream platforms last year with the release of his album 3's Up. BET then chose the outspoken New Orleans native to be a voice for the people during the #AllVotesMatter livestream event. Joining Carson and Dee-1 for the discussion was Chris Prudhome, president of Vote America Now.
While Dee-1 agreed with Carson on many of the points discussed throughout the unconventional sit-down, what they were at odds about was how someone can work toward financial independence.
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"Where do you get the money when you come from generational poverty?" Dee-1 questioned the neurosurgeon.
To which Carson admitted the process would not be "easy." The Detroit native provided examples of people who worked hard and made a way for themselves. Although Carson seemingly wanted to avoid making race the main issue, Dee-1 insisted that he believes the problem in fact has to do with race.
The rapper maintained that the voice and outcry for the inner cities aren't taken seriously as opposed to upscale neighborhoods, referencing the water crisis in Flint, Michigan.
The passionate emcee asked the Republican nominee, "What can we do outside of just having faith in God to make people feel important just because they are simply American?"
Agreeing in part with the rapper, Carson pegged the prejudice of the inner city a tragedy and said he believes the right people will be held responsible for it.
As the topics progressed, both men were asked what they thought of Stacey Dash's recent comments on Fox News about getting rid of Black History month and BET altogether to eliminate the racial divide.
"I was highly upset when I heard [Dash's comments]," Dee-1 said, pointing out that she used "a poor choice of words," and her body language was that of someone who was angry.
"I feel like [her comments] were largely hypocritical because Stacey Dash has earned several checks from BET... I realize now that I'm older and am an adult that just because someone looks good, doesn't mean they're a good spokesperson for our people."
Carson agreed with Dee-1 to a degree but took the opportunity to try and clarify her remarks. "I know Stacey, she's a friend…and that did not come off exactly the way she meant," he said. "I think what she was trying to say is 'I wish we were at a stage where it wasn't necessary to have a black station or black awards, but you know we're not there.' That part she didn't add."
Throughout the rest of the livestream event the two also talked about the Carson Scholars Fund, education, and more, all the while staying respectful to one another and sharing in common their faith in God.
