In August, 2015, the rap artist known as Q-Tip reached out to Hillary Clinton‘s campaign for a one-on-one meeting.
A brief primer on Q-Tip: According to his Wikipedia profile, he produced “That’s my bitch” for Kanye West and Jay-Z‘s collaborative album. In 2016, Q-Tip was appointed to be the Artistic Director of Hip-Hop at Washington’s posh Kennedy Center.
The email request — released in the latest WikiLeaks dump — included a whole lot of namedropping.
Date: August 29, 2015
Subject: Meeting request with Hillary Clinton
Q-Tip’s assistant Betsy Jones wrote, “Hello Mr. Podesta, I hope you are well. I am writing you to arrange a meeting between Hip Hop icon and visionary Q-Tip and Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton. He would like to meet with her to discuss ways he can be used as > bridge to the Hip Hop generation during the 2016 presidential campaign. Q-Tip who is an ambassador member of Harry Belafonte’s Sankofa.org has long been highly committed to issues of social justice. Q-Tip is devoted to > amplifying the voices of the disenfranchised in an effort to promote > justice, peace and equal rights for all.”
Jones tried to drop Q-Tip’s incredibly vague relationship with Bill Clinton.
“He is a big supporter of the work Mrs. Clinton has done throughout her career and has also worked alongside former president Bill Clinton at a 2003 DNC fundraiser.”
Jones also tried to butter Podesta up by reminding him that Q-Tip made an appearance at Chelsea Clinton‘s 25th birthday party.
She wrote, “He even served as DJ for Chelsea Clinton’s 25th birthday party in 2005. He’s had a lasting track record with the Clinton’s [sic] throughout the years. In fact, he had hoped to see Mrs. Clinton at his close friend Tory Burch’s fundraiser tomorrow in The Hamptons. However, due to a prior commitment in Los Angeles, he will be not be able to make it.”
Q-Tip wanted alone time with Clinton.
“Q-Tip would love to have short one-on-one with Mrs. Clinton as soon as her schedule permits,” she wrote. “He will return to New York City on Monday. Please let me know what can be arranged at your earliest convenience. Q-Tip is passionate about helping Mrs. Clinton secure a victory in this presidential race. Thank you in advance for your time. All the best, Betsy Jones.”
Podesta replied, “Thanks for reaching out and thanks for the support. I’ll get back to you on Monday when I’m back in Brooklyn.”