Topher (rapper)
Topher | |
---|---|
Birth name | Christopher Townsend |
Also known as | Topher |
Born | 1991 Kilmichael, Mississippi |
Genres | Hip hop, rap |
Occupation(s) | Rapper, Songwriter, political activist |
Years active | 2017–present |
Website | Official website |
Christopher "Topher" Townsend (born 1991), is an independent American rapper, songwriter and conservative commentator.
Early life and military[]
Christopher Townsend (born on February 22, 1991), better known as Topher, is an independent American rapper, songwriter, political activist, and entrepreneur from Kilmichael, Mississippi . He graduated from Montgomery County High School in 2009.[1]
Topher spent six years in the United States Air Force, where he was a cryptologic language analyst. He left in April 2017.[2][3]
Political activism[]
Topher voted Republican in the 2016 presidential election though he did not identify as a conservative at the time.[1]
Frustrated with backlash on Facebook, Topher began using TikTok to discuss political issues in December 2019,[4] often wearing his Santa hat and signature red hoodie.[2] He joined the Conservative Hype House collective in February 2020 and by October had more than 620,000 followers.[2] He was interviewed for BBC Click in July 2020, where he discussed political advertising on TikTok.[5]
In October 2020 Topher campaigned for Donald Trump on the Team Trump tour bus in Las Vegas.[2] He also discussed the concerns of Black voters in the 2020 election on Fox and Friends.[6]
Music career[]
Topher has been performing hip-hop for 20 years.[2] In December 2020, he released the single "The Patriot" (featuring The Marine Rapper) which reached #1 in the Billboard Rap Digital Song Sales chart.[7][8]
In March 2021, Topher released his debut album No Apologies.[9]
Topher and The Marine Rapper performed their song "The Patriot" at a Veterans for Trump 2020 rally[citation needed], near to the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol. Following the performance, Spotify removed the song from its platform, and Instagram banned Topher from broadcasting live.[10][11]
Discography[]
- No Apologies (2021)
Personal life[]
Topher lives in Philadelphia, Mississippi with his wife Alicia and two daughters.[2][1]
References[]
- ^ a b c LaKeadra Coffey (November 19, 2020). "His point of view". Winona Times. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Travis M. Andrews (October 26, 2020). "Meet Topher, the rapper and Air Force vet who's become a top conservative TikTok star". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "MAGA TikTok Creators Stand by Trump—Despite a Potential Ban". wired.com. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ Audrey Conklin (October 31, 2020). "Young politicos leverage TikTok to reach Gen-Z voters". Fox Business. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "Virtually You". BBC Click. July 4, 2020. BBC News. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "What are the top concerns for Black voters in 2020 election?". Yahoo News. October 31, 2020. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "Rap digital song sales". Billboard. January 16, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ Brian Cantor. "Topher & The Marine Rapper's "The Patriot" Re-Enters Top 10 On Overall US iTunes Sales Chart, Reclaims #1 On Hip-Hop/Rap Chart". headlineplanet.com. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ "Topher "No Apologies" Album Hits #1 On iTunes Hip-Hop Charts". 192kb.com. March 5, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ Ethan E. Rocke (January 20, 2021). "Conservative Rappers Fight Back as Viral Anthem 'The Patriot' Gets Canceled". coffeeordie.com. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
- ^ Cameron Hickey (March 3, 2021). "TikTok Played a Key Role in MAGA Radicalization". wired.com. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
External links[]
- 1991 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American rappers
- African-American male rappers
- 21st-century African-American male singers
- African-American male singer-songwriters
- American hip hop singers
- Hip hop activists
- People from Kilmichael, Mississippi
- Rappers from Mississippi
- Singer-songwriters from Mississippi