How Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s playlists reflect their campaign strategies

From Beyoncé's "Freedom" to Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA," their music choices reveal stark contrasts.

Two days after launching her presidential campaign, Kamala Harris received a significant boost from pop superstar Beyoncé, who granted the use of her song "Freedom" for Harris' historic White House run. 

The track, which became an anthem during the 2020 protests following George Floyd's murder, set the tone for a campaign aimed at resonating with younger voters. 

The song's powerful message was featured in a new Harris-Walz ad, which debuted at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and has since garnered millions of views on social media.

Harris' campaign has quickly become intertwined with the music of the moment, with artists like Charli XCX publicly endorsing her on social media. 

The campaign cleverly embraced the #BratEnergy from Charli XCX's latest album, even tweaking campaign logos to align with the album's aesthetic. 

Harris, who identifies as a "hip-hop girl," has used her love for music to connect with voters, creating playlists that feature artists such as Migos, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Lauryn Hill.

In contrast, Donald Trump's campaign has leaned on nostalgic and patriotic music, with a preference for tracks by white, male artists. 

This difference in musical choices highlights the distinct Americas each candidate represents. 

While Trump's rallies echo the past with songs like "God Bless the USA," Harris' events are filled with the sounds of contemporary Black and female artists, signaling a forward-looking campaign focused on inclusivity and diversity.

As the campaigns continue, the music choices are telegraphing more than just personal preferences—they're revealing the candidates' strategies for who they believe will show up to vote in 2024.