Issue #103 - Digital Cover

Published on April 13th, 2017 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

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Live Session with the Hip-Hop Official: Florida State Senator Randolph Bracy

Hip Hop as a culture is the globe’s fastest growing demographic, and the common theme is unity for justice; standing for that which is right to paraphrase Henry David Thoreau. Various Hip Hop movements have successfully worked with government bodies to ignite change however we also have truth sayers from the culture in political offices helping to make policy. We introduce to you, Florida State Senator Randolph Bracy, Chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee, pka (performer known as), Pres.

The spoken word artist, songwriter, and entertainer took office this past election. While the freshman Senator from Orlando is not the first Hip Hop personality to hold public office, his appointment by a Republican Senate President made history.

What’s his role and why is it so historical?

The Hype Magazine Editor-in-Chief Jerry Doby welcomed Sen. Bracy for an in-depth conversation and early on in the interview he announced his intent to run for US Senate in Florida, taking him into the mysterious chambers of Washington DC.

Sen. Bracy says, “I’m the chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee. Any policy that or any laws that affect the criminal justice system will come out of my committee. So I decide what bills will be heard and what laws will be passed as it relates to criminal justice. It’s unprecedented, especially in Florida. I’m a Democrat. This state is Republican controlled from the House, to the Senate, to the Governor’s Mansion. So the fact that I’ve been given this opportunity is a great honor. Got to mention US Senator also. I’m also contemplating a run for US Senate here in Florida…”

So you made that decision? You’re going to run for the US Senate. When does that kickoff?

Sen. Bracy:  I haven’t made a decision yet.  I’ll formally make a decision after our legislative session ends, which ends in May. It has already been reported that I’m interested, I’m considering it, but I haven’t made a formal decision yet.

Did you make history as the first black to ever hold that position within the Florida State Senate?

Sen. Bracy:  Yes, first black ever in the state of Florida.

That’s monumental in a Republican death penalty state; having a black Democrat as the chair of that committee. Weren’t they nervous at all? Did you have any problems getting in, or what kind of challenges?

Sen. Bracy:  No. The Senate President, who is the head of the Senate, he decides who chairs which committees. Typically, when there’s a Republican in power, he puts Republicans in those positions. But he chose to put me, as a Democrat and a freshman, as a chairman of a substantive committee. I’m very grateful that he took a chance and gave me this opportunity.  I think it just speaks to my work ethic and my passion for Criminal Justice issues but it also speaks to the type of man the Senate President is and what type of legacy he wants to leave.

It also speaks to your ability to reach across the aisle…

Sen. Bracy:  I think it does. Look, you’ve got to reach across the aisles to get things done in government, and so I pride myself in making friends with republicans and democrats.

What has been your biggest challenge, do you think, thus far? As you walked in the door and said, “Wow, I’m here making policy, and I’m part of history…” Has that hit you yet, the impact of that?

Sen. Bracy:  I don’t think so. I’m just in the middle of doing my best to make a change. “Look, I mean when we talk about the criminal justice reform, I’ve got people I consider brothers that have been incarcerated. I’ve worked with young men who I mentor that have been locked up, that have criminal records.  So this is not just policy for me; It’s personal. There are people that I care deeply about that are locked out of society because of a mistake they’ve made.  So I have a vested interest in making sure our criminal justice system operates justly and fairly for everyone.”

He continues, “As for challenges, it’s been a lot easier, I’ll say, to get things done now that I’ve been given this position. Four years ago when I was elected to the House, which Republicans have a 2 to 1 majority, Democrats didn’t have nearly as much power, but in the Senate, things are a lot different.  The Democrats are a lot closer in numbers to the republicans and it’s a much more collegial body. And now I’ve been given the chairmanship, it’s easier to make an impact, but now the expectations are greater. So, I appreciate it more because of my time before when it was not so easy to implement the things that I campaigned on.”

As a recording artist, because you not only do you do the hip-hop but you have some singing going in there, too. Talk about being a professional recording artist and working inside of government and how you’re going to mesh the two and use that platform.

Sen. Bracy:  One, I just got to be me. I grew up listening to hip-hop. It’s just in my blood. But I didn’t take it, seriously until late. I started just writing lyrics, maybe about ten years ago and it more so just started out as poetry, and then I started performing it like spoken word. But I began to get these melodies in my head. When I began to get in the recording booth, it just didn’t sound right to me when I would rap it or do spoken word and so I start singing and I evolved as an artist. And that’s been fun. Meshing the music and politics is something that I haven’t figured out yet…Honestly, that’s something that is still a work in progress.

You come from spoken word, were doing poetry, then you started iterating that in spoken word realm, then you began singing and you recently just started taking it seriously. Talk to me about what’s in the works for 2017 for you as an artist.

Sen. Bracy:  What I want to do is just put my music out there and just let people hear it. It’s my perspective on life, on love, on a range of topics. This is just my view of the world. I want people to hear it. Hopefully, they like it. I’m going to see where it goes. I think it’s going to be well received and I’m ready to continue making music and continue to share it and see where it takes me.

All right, so besides politics and music, what makes Randolph Bracy tick?

Sen. Bracy:  Randy. I grew up as Randy, but since I’ve been elected, it’s been, Randolph.

What makes me tick? … My family, my kids, and my community. Those are the things that motivate me.  But other than that, I’m just a regular guy. I grew up in Philly. I moved to Florida when I was entering high school. I feel like that Philly vibe never left. That’s where the music started for me, where I discovered hip-hop. I think it colors my political career. A lot of the People that I grew up with, relationships I’ve made even way back then, those people and places in Philly helped to shape who I am today.

Also my dad has been a pastor for over 30 years, and my parents have done a lot of community work, just making my community better here in Florida. And so, I’ve picked up that spirit.  So, to be honest, I’m here in Tallahassee at the center of power here in Florida, but in some ways I’m still that guy who grew up in Philly that encountered so many different cultures that has had an impact on my viewpoint. It’s been an exciting journey though, making my way in an environment I never saw myself being in, being impactful, and yet still being me and representing my people well.

How do you manage to balance your calendar? Are you at the office in the state capital every day? Are you doing business daily as a state senator?  How do you find time to record and write and things like that?

Sen. Bracy:  First, my schedule as a senator, we’re in the state capital for about four months out of the year doing the lawmaking process. So I can come home during the weekends and relax and chill. And then, there’s still a part of being a senator where you get calls from constituents where there’s just local problems they’re dealing with that we still are working. And then I’ve got my own business that I’ve been growing, and that’s doing pretty well. I got that ambition and hustle. I played sports all my life. My thing growing up was basketball. I earned a college scholarship, and was a college All-American at William and Mary in Virginia, a small D-1 school. I think it’s still that competitive spirit where it’s like, “I’m going to make it happen. I’m going to do it all. Before I die, I’m going to do it all.”

Honestly, it’s that internal ambition that just keeps me going. I haven’t done everything that’s in my heart to do, so that’s what drives me, man. But I try to keep balance, try to spend time with my kid and still be a good dad.

What heights do you feel in your heart you’ll be able to take your music career to? If you make it to the US Senate, the demands on your time and what not will be even greater, and the pressures even greater. Do you think you’ll be able to maintain a recording and performing schedule at that point of your growth in your professional career?

Sen. Bracy:  I don’t know. I think this is all new. I really can’t think of a politician that is doing music seriously. My aspirations don’t stop there. I want to get in entertainment and do a little acting. I’ve done acting locally in Florida, and so I’d like to take it further. I just honestly believe that when the time comes to do both, then everything will fall into place.

But for the meantime, I just have this music that I’ve got to get out. Like I said, we’ll see where it goes, but I’m having fun doing it though.

Music’s a part of you. It’s kind of like your catharsis, kind of like taking a deep breath.

Sen. Bracy:  That’s an excellent way to describe it. It’s like a release. It’s funny, I was talking about a song I did with someone, and they heard it and they’re like, “Whoa, you kind of went deep there.” It’s funny. I’ll sing a song, and it’s about something that I probably have never even talked with someone about, and then the music comes on, and it almost surprises me because I’ll hear the beat and then the words just start coming. And it’s almost like, “Whoa, I didn’t … I didn’t even know that was down in there,” type thing. It’s a cathartic experience, to say the least. But that’s what makes it fun and enjoyable. And to do it, in an artistic way, I think it lends itself to people connecting with you more, because it’s like, “Oh, I’ve been through that,” or “I can feel that.”

How do you keep your circle straight? Who do you keep around you that keep you grounded?

Sen. Bracy:  That’s a great question. My circle is small. It’s almost like I got my family circle, dealing with my kids and that part of my life. And then I’ve got, the people I work with musically, artistically where I trust them, to be honest with me about like is this hot or not. Those different silos are small, but they’re kind of separate also. And then I’ve got a staff of people that works with me in my political career. We’re all friends, but they also help me to get to where I’m trying to get to politically, but also just help me serve the people and making sure my office is running smoothly and that we are responsive and accessible to our community.

If someone was looking to make progress in the arena that you’re playing in, what is it that they’d need to consider as far as being a professional artist? What do you pass on?

Sen. Bracy:  I would just say be true to yourself and just listen to what’s in your head and your heart and just say that and be that.

I think coming into it, you always look at, artists that are well known and you think, “Well, I have to do it like they do it.” Eventually, if you’re honest with yourself, it will not work. At least it hasn’t for me. I always come back to, “This is what I do, and this is how I do it.” And I think if you are a real artist, people will appreciate you being who you are. That would just be my advice to people. Just be who you are and let the music flow.

Where can they find out about your music and experience Randy Bracy?

Sen. BracyRandolphbracy.com, the music will be on that website. We’re still putting it on some digital platforms as well.

The debut single coming from Pres is “You can do it” a perfectly timed missive to an audience eagerly awaiting some positive messages and inspiration.

As we can see, it’s not too late to create history, from the trenches of community involvement to the national stage as a State Senator, recording artist Randolph Bracy aka Pres, is taking Hip-Hop “center stage” as a working political figure and musician with a very unique perspective…others talk…he’s a doer.

Balancing his understanding of politics and HOW the system works along with his life experience as a hardworking young black man, how does he use his music to narrate the conversation from multiple lenses? Stay tuned because the story is just unfolding!

Twitter @Pres47th

IG: @Pres47th


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About the Author

Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.


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