My Favorite Color took a paid shot at Karen Bass as Nithya Raman’s campaign brought a diss track into the Los Angeles mayoral race. The artist, whose real name is Anthony Willis, is a Los Angeles-based rapper originally from Pittsburgh. He confirmed that the campaign funded the project, which serves as a direct critique of the incumbent mayor’s performance.
The track, which runs just under two minutes, focuses on the mayor’s handling of the city’s ongoing homelessness crisis and the response to the January 2025 wildfires. In the lyrics, Willis raps, “Bro, I pinky promise Karen Bass ain’t your savior,” while also referencing legal disputes involving other artists and questioning the mayor’s overall effectiveness in office.
The song also mocks the mayor’s meeting attendance and her supporters, marking a unique intersection of hip-hop culture and local political campaigning. When asked for comment regarding the track, My Favorite Color stood by the message, telling KTLA, “What has Karen Bass done for y’all?” and urging residents to participate in the upcoming election.
The tension between the two candidates is not new. During an October 13 debate, the pair clashed over city leadership, specifically regarding the allocation of funds for homelessness and the handling of emergency situations. While Raman argued that homelessness has continued to rise despite increased spending, Bass defended her “Inside Safe” housing program, noting that Raman, as a committee chair, had previously voted to approve the very spending she now criticizes.
Addressing her absence during the Palisades fire, Bass expressed regret during the debate, stating, “I am so profoundly sorry that I was not in my city, when my city needed me.” Raman has since pledged to remain present during future emergencies.
The race has drawn significant attention from high-profile figures. Samuel L. Jackson recently appeared in a campaign video supporting Bass, defending her approach to homelessness and the complexities of managing a major city. Additionally, actor Anthony Anderson has voiced his support, highlighting the mayor’s work regarding film and television tax credits. Los Angeles voters head to the polls on November 3 to decide the future of the mayoral office.
