A popular rapper from Detroit, Michigan, 42 Dugg, caused quite a stir on the internet this week when he made an appearance in a video that was shared on social media that featured him with U.S. Rep. John James, the GOP nominee for governor in the state. However, less than two days after Dugg posted the video, he removed it due in large part to the massive amount of negative comments it received.
Dugg, who is 31, is a native of Detroit’s east side. His real name is Dion Hayes. In the video, Dugg asked James what he would do for the city of Detroit should he be elected governor in the November midterm elections. “We’re going to improve on the economy in Detroit,” he replied. “We’re going to improve on education in Detroit, and we’re going to improve on safety in Detroit.”
“Detroit isn’t a place that I go to campaign. Detroit’s a place where I go to work. Detroit’s a place where I go visit my family,” James continued. The GOP nominee, who attended Bloomfield Township’s Brother Rice High School, went on to state that his roots in Detroit run deep. He pointed out a shop on the east side of the city where his dad started his own trucking company in 1971.
According to a report from The Michigan Chronicle, he then explained, “I care about Detroit, because I was raised by Detroit. I love my people, and regardless of how we were born or where we ended up, you and me are in the same car right now.” The local rap artist stated in a post that was quickly deleted from his social media, that he isn’t dedicated to one party, whether Democrats or Republicans.
Instead, he wants to support who he believes will do the most good for the city. Dugg told a reporter with the Michigan Chronicle while visiting a clothing store in July 2026, he was supporting James, referring to him as “the black guy.” James later told the media that the video collaboration between the two came together organically.
“Coolest day of the campaign for me,” Alyvia Bailey, the press secretary for James’ campaign, stated on social media in response to the collaboration. “Been a fan of 42 Dugg for years. Genuine guy trying to make a difference in his community.” Dugg stated in July that he didn’t have plans to vote in the midterm elections, saying he had no idea that ex-felons could still vote in the state of Michigan.
According to the law, once a felon is released from either jail or prison, their right to register and vote is completely restored immediately, even if they are still on parole or probation. Dugg told his supporters and fans to go out and challenge Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic nominee, saying, “These people feel like they ain’t gotta work for y’all vote man, Jocelyn Benson, she probably feels like I don’t have to do as much as John James.”
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“Why is she not as desperate as John James to win our vote? Why is she not going to the hood and doing the same… She feels like she’s already got your vote… It should be both of them in the hood. She should be next to come kick it with me,” the Detroit rapper said. Dugg also explained why he removed the video with James from his account.
“My page not for that. My page is for to motivate, my page is for entertainment, and that post was only to bring awareness to this governor candidacy going on… I’m not into arguing with old bitter ladies,” he said, essentially saying that there was too much negativity and he didn’t want that being pushed on his page, a line of thinking many common sense Americans agree with.
Featured Image: screenshot from embedded video