Eric B. is City Council Member?

Eric B. is President. That was a song title from the seminal hip-hop group, Eric B. & Rakim back in 1986. According to Politico, it might be a goal for the future.

As the world is celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Eric B. may have plans to run for political office. Seriously.

Eric B., born Louis Eric Barrier and the DJ behind the God Emcee, Rakim, is currently honing his acting chops in the CBS police drama, Blue Bloods. The hip-hop legend has been acting on the show since 2019 but may curtail further roles to pursue a career in politics.

The former DJ told Playbook that he is considering running for public office, maybe a public advocate, possibly a city council member, or maybe an assembly member. He is putting an exploratory team together.

“Jeff Aubry, he’s older now,” Barrier said about the 75-year-old Assembly speaker pro tempore. “(Francisco) Moya’s seat is up in the City Council in Queens, I might go in that direction. … If whatshisname doesn’t run for public advocate again, I might run for his position.”

For the record, whatshisname refers to the current public advocate in New York City, Jumaane Williams. Eric B has stated that Williams isn’t “Outside” these days.

“The public advocate’s really been missing for the last year,” Eric B. said. “He hasn’t been in the streets since he’s had the baby (in February 2022). You don’t hear from him. He’s been nowhere. And if you’re fighting for the people, you’ve got to be on the streets every day.”

If Eric B. does decide to run for Mora’s seat, it sounds like the outgoing politician is endorsing him or at least saying he has a chance.

“I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of people running for that seat. I love Eric B. Not just his music, but I also know him personally. He’s a really great guy.”

Whether we see Eric B. as president or in any political office remains to be seen, but we should all be on the lookout just in case!