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GEORGIA ON THEIR MINDS

With control of the U.S Senate hanging in the balance, all eyes are on today's double runoff in Georgia. Twin victories by Dems Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff would tie the Chamber—making VP-elect Kamala Harris the tiebreaking vote. Such an outcome (after Mitch McConnell’s exasperating Senatorial dominion) would certainly be worth singing about, and more than a few recording artists are in the mix to mobilize, inform and uplift potential voters.

The contests have attracted an unprecedented level of national attention, with mountains of money coming in from PACs and voters nationwide. Stacey AbramsFair Fight has been a key factor in mobilizing grassroots turnout. But which stars from our world are lending their voices to this effort?

NE-YO, Moneybagg Yo, YFN Lucci, Rick Ross and Mulatto are among the many artists taking part in Joy to the Polls' pop-up performances across Georgia.

Hip-hop dignitary Jeezy, whose 11/19 Verzuz battle with Gucci Mane attracted a huge audience, has become particularly vocal about the importance of political involvement. Abrams was given a big platform during the Verzuz episode to encourage participation in the runoffs. The awareness and energy cultivated by Jeezy and fellow rap firebrands like Killer Mike, T.I., Lil Jon and Common undoubtedly aided Joe Biden’s victory in Georgia (and arguably nationwide); now these and other players hope the movement they’ve helped drive will change the balance of power in D.C.

In partnership with Head Count, the virtual fest Georgia Comes Alive (GeorgiaComesAlive.com) presented more than 50 artists—including Dave Matthews, Diplo, Foo Fighters, Portugal. The Man, The Lame Ducks and Big Freedia—on 12/26 to get out the vote, raising $160k for grassroots organizations like CivicGeorgia and Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda.

Broadway stars have also joined the cause, as cast members from Hamilton, Rent, Dear Evan Hanson and more came together to support Fair Action with a rendition of Ray Charles’ “Georgia on My Mind.” Voices on the new recording include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Josh Gad, Idina Menzel, Billy Porter, Vanessa Williams, Ben Platt and Rosie Perez. The single is available for purchase here.

Meanwhile, the iVoted Festival is back, with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Shakey Graves, The Revivalists and A$H, among others, set to appear. Powered and hosted by streaming platform Mandolin, iVoted allows fans to RSVP by taking selfies from outside their polling place and showing their unmarked ballots. Non-Georgia residents and ineligible voters can RSVP here.

Will the enthusiasm of these artists translate into escalated turnout on election day? Stay tuned. If you're interested in election-day phonebanking, go here.

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