From 2 Live Crew to Congress: Uncle Luke Gets DJ Khaled's Public Blessing

When a hip-hop legend throws their weight behind a fellow artist’s bid for national office, you know something interesting is happening in politics. That’s exactly what went down Thursday when DJ Khaled publicly endorsed Uncle Luke’s Congressional campaign at an event in Miami.

The multihyphenate DJ made his support crystal clear to the crowd at Brooklyn Chophouse, declaring that no one loves Miami or Broward County more than Uncle Luke. It’s the kind of passionate endorsement that carries real weight in a community where both men have deep roots and lasting credibility. Khaled promised to show up whenever Uncle Luke needs him, and sealed the moment with a hug that sent a clear message: this isn’t just lip service.

Uncle Luke, the former 2 Live Crew leader, is running for Florida’s 20th Congressional District—a seat that’s wide open after Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick resigned last month while facing federal charges for allegedly laundering COVID relief money to finance her 2022 campaign. She faces up to 53 years if convicted. That vacancy means the field is genuinely wide open, and Luke has serious street credibility in the area.

During the event, Uncle Luke laid out his platform with specifics that matter: expanding the local shipping port, creating jobs, and protecting immigrant communities being targeted by the Trump administration. He’s also leaning into his own historical fight for free speech—his 1989 album with 2 Live Crew,“As Nasty as They Wanna Be,”became the subject of a landmark obscenity case that went all the way to the Supreme Court. Luke sees that fight as proof he’ll defend others’rights just as vigorously.

The move also taps into a broader trend of entertainers finding their way into politics. Uncle Luke pointed out the long list of stars who’ve made that jump and essentially asked: why not him? It’s a fair question. In a district where the incumbent just got indicted and the community knows his name and his fight, Uncle Luke’s got more than just celebrity endorsements—he’s got a message and a record of standing up when it mattered.

Whether voters buy into a hip-hop icon’s Congressional run remains to be seen. But with DJ Khaled backing him publicly and a field wide open after a corruption scandal, Uncle Luke’s campaign just got a significant shot in the arm.