Last month, President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 election, leading to Vice President Kamala Harris becoming the Democratic frontrunner. The election season has been tumultuous, with an assassination attempt on Donald Trump and Biden contracting COVID-19, exacerbating dissatisfaction among voters.

Only 37% of young voters were happy with a Biden-Trump race. Harris gained significant popularity, especially among Gen Z, partly due to a viral video of her saying, “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you.” This clip gained even more attention upon Harris becoming the front-runner for the Democratic Party.

X (formerly Twitter), TikTok and Instagram are a large part of the younger generation’s daily life. Because of this, pop culture and online spaces are resonating with younger generations more than ever. 

Pop non-conformist Charli XCX’s sixth studio album, “BRAT,” is no exception in this viral world.

Since the album’s release, this summer has been coined “Brat Summer.” Taking over social media with a TikTok dance, its minimalistic album identity and overall acceptance from the younger generation, it’s no secret club music is back — and thank god for that.

With its relevance among our generation, “BRAT” has now meshed with the chatter of this year’s election, and Harris’ coconut tree meme found its way into the digital spaces of “Brat Summer,” becoming the smartest way to engage with young voters who essentially hold the power of electing the United States’ first female president. 

Within 24 hours of Biden ending his campaign, Kamala HQ, Vice President Harris’ “rapid response page,” branded their social accounts with the same shade of green and typeface as the “BRAT” album. 

Her team, who must be made up of chronically online gays and Gen Z-ers, knew exactly how to reach the correct audience. The young voter wasn’t ready to accept the choice of Trump versus Biden and Kamala HQ could recognize that. What better way than to meet them at their level? 

And the progressive population of Gen Z — a generation always at the forefront of social change, constantly calling for reform that may not have had Harris as its first choice — is ready to meet Harris and her team in the middle.

By connecting with the younger generation immediately after Biden’s reelection announcement, Harris and her team knew what to do. And it’s working. 

XCX even posted on X, “kamala IS brat.” This election’s most influential endorsement coming from a non-American pop star was surely not on my 2024 bingo card, but it seems XCX is looking out for her U.S. fans. 

XCX isn’t the only one coming out of the woodwork for Harris’ campaign either. Setting record numbers in just a few weeks, and raising 100 million dollars for her campaign fund, Harris supporters are in full force to ensure Trump does not find himself in the Oval Office once again. 

Someone just as significant who reaches across a plethora of age groups has since approved the use of their music in Harris’ campaign launch: Beyoncé.

Once again staying relevant amongst potential Harris voters, in the official campaign launch video, Harris said, “What kind of country do we want to live in?” Speaking on the continuous fight for bodily autonomy and the end of gun violence, Harris echoed the things a progressive Gen Z-er and like-minded voter can undoubtedly align with.

Harris’ team positioning the campaign around already-existing and relevant pop culture has opened the door to strategically attempting to capture the young voter. Especially when we were on the border of completely checking out of the election entirely. 

And XCX has reached a new peak with the consolidation of her critically acclaimed album and its collaborative effect on U.S. politics — potentially dethroning Taylor Swift from the top of relativity, at least until her next album announcement. 

But it begs the question, would someone with such a large following and cultural significance such as Swift support the newly appointed presidential pick? With an endorsement from Swift, Harris could breach a new level of young voter relevance.

In any case, with Biden’s reelection decision, I am ready to vote in my first presidential election. An instant weight was lifted from my shoulders when the president stepped aside. 

It’s not a matter of party alignment anymore — it’s a matter of someone who created such uncertainty and hatred in our free country versus someone who has real leadership potential. This isn’t politics anymore either. It’s safety. 

Harris’ campaign has brought forth overnight success in connecting with the voters they need most: me, my peers and those who were feeling hopeless. 

Now we sit back, watch and stream “BRAT” in hopes Harris walks out to XCX’s ‘365’ on election night after securing her win. 

Dylan Walker is a columnist. Contact him at [email protected].