Hip-hop star T. I. votes in Georgia. (Hip-Hop Summit Action Network)

NEW YORK, NY October 30, 2008 —Hip hop has played a visible role in presidential politics since at least the early 90s, when Bill Clinton had his Sista Souljah moment and denounced the performer's racially-charged statements.

In the last couple election cycles performers like Sean Combs, or Diddy have encouraged young people to get out and vote. But as WNYC's Arun Venugopal explains, this year is different. Now hip hop has a candidate it calls its own.