Pop star Charli XCX’s recent album Brat has unexpectedly influenced US Vice-President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, despite the British singer’s insistence that her music is not political. Charli XCX, known for hits like “Vroom Vroom” and “Guess,” reflected on how her album’s viral success and its distinct slime-green aesthetic have become central to Harris’ social media strategy. In a recent interview with New York Magazine, Charli clarified that she never intended her music to be a political statement.
“I’m not Bob Dylan, and I’ve never pretended to be,” Charli XCX, whose real name is Charlotte Aitchison, stated. “My music is not political. Everything I do in my life feeds back into my art. Everything I say, wear, think, enjoy – it all funnels back into my art. Politics doesn’t feed my art.”
Earlier this year, Charli XCX released her pop album Brat, which quickly gained critical acclaim and went viral on social media platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter). The energetic album sparked viral dances, memes, and a surge of online content, making it a cultural phenomenon. However, its connection to the political landscape emerged unexpectedly in late July.
After US President Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race and endorsed Harris, Charli XCX posted on X: “Kamala IS brat.” This post, intended as a light-hearted remark, soon became a rallying point for the Harris campaign. Embracing the album’s popularity, the Harris campaign rebranded its @KamalaHQ account on X to reflect the Brat album’s cover, adopting its vibrant aesthetic to engage younger voters.
Within weeks, the term “brat” and its association with the Harris campaign were making headlines and became a hot topic across various media outlets, including CNN. While Charli XCX did not intend her post to serve as an endorsement, she acknowledged the impact it has had on the campaign.
The 32-year-old singer emphasized that her initial post was meant to be “something positive and light-hearted” rather than a political statement. Nonetheless, she has since embraced the role her album and its aesthetic have played in this electoral cycle.
Charli XCX’s influence on the Harris campaign illustrates the unexpected ways in which pop culture can intersect with politics. Despite her disavowal of any political intent, the success of Brat and its impact on the campaign demonstrate the power of viral content in shaping public discourse and political strategy.
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