Christopher "Topher" Townsend (born 1991), is an independent American rapper, songwriter and conservative commentator.
Topher | |
|---|---|
 Topher in Fort Lauderdale | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Christopher Townsend |
| Also known as | Topher |
| Born | 1991 Kilmichael, Mississippi |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2017–present |
| Website | Official website |
Early life and military
editChristopher Townsend (born on February 22, 1991), better known as Topher, is an independent American rapper, songwriter, conservative 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
editTopher voted Republican in the 2016 presidential election.
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
editTopher 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 rally held near the U.S. Capitol building at the time of its 2021 storming by supporters of President Donald Trump.[10][11] Following the performance, Spotify removed the song from its platform, and Instagram banned Topher from broadcasting live.[12][13]
Topher's song "I Left My Home" was featured in the 2021 movie A Journal for Jordan directed by Denzel Washington.[14]
Discography
edit- No Apologies (2021)
- 222 (2022)
Personal life
editTopher lives in Philadelphia, Mississippi with his wife, Alicia, and two daughters.[2][1]
References
edit- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Matsakis, Louise. "MAGA TikTok Creators Stand by Trump—Despite a Potential Ban". Wired. 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.
- ^ Rocke, Ethan (January 20, 2021). "CONSERVATIVE RAPPERS FIGHT BACK AS VIRAL ANTHEM 'THE PATRIOT' GETS CANCELED". Black Rifle Coffee Company. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ Cantor, Brian (January 8, 2021). "Topher & The Marine Rapper's "The Patriot" Re-Enters Top 10 On Overall US iTunes Sales Chart, Reclaims #1 On Hip-Hop/Rap Chart". Headline Planet. Headline Planet. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Lee, John. "Mississippi rapper Topher's song featured in 'A Journal for Jordan'". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
External links
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