NEW YORK (AFP) - Snoop Dogg, the rap superstar and outspoken marijuana aficionado, will perform in support of Hillary Clinton on the sidelines of the Democratic Party convention later this month.
Snoop Dogg will headline a “convention unity party” in Philadelphia on July 28, a day after Clinton is expected to accept the presidential nomination.
Three so-called political action committees that spend on behalf of Democratic candidates -- Priorities USA Action, Senate Majority PAC and House Majority PAC -- on Tuesday jointly announced the show which will take place at the Electric Factory, a concert venue with a capacity of up to 3,000.
The three groups also announced a show earlier in the convention week that will feature Los Lobos, the pioneering Mexican American rockers best known for their 1987 cover of “La Bamba.”
Snoop Dogg, who has sold more than 35 million albums, had his start in Southern California‘s gangsta rap scene but has since branched out into more mellow sounds including reggae.
His latest album, “Coolaid,” came out Friday and returns to his favorite topic -- his love of smoking marijuana.
While not known for his political statements, Snoop Dogg in 2012 made a Facebook posting favorable to Republican candidate Ron Paul due to the libertarian-leaning politician’s stance on marijuana.
Clinton on her campaign website has promised to respect US states that have legalized or decriminalized marijuana and to redirect federal efforts away from prosecuting pot possession, noting that African Americans are disproportionately targeted.
Clinton's rival Donald Trump has been more open on marijuana than much of his Republican Party, saying last year that the issue should be left to states.
Trump has had a patchy record with prominent musicians, with artists from R.E.M. to The Rolling Stones to Adele asking the billionaire populist to stop playing their songs at his rallies.
On the Republican side, at least one concert on the sidelines of the party’s convention probably won‘t please Trump.
Prophets of Rage, a politically charged supergroup with members of Rage Against the Machine and Public Enemy, is planning a protest show in Cleveland against Trump on July 19.
