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NewsKTLA 5November 2, 2026Los Angeles County

Nithya Raman pays L.A. rapper My Favorite Color to release a campaign diss track targeting Karen Bass

Photo: KTLA 5

Mayoral candidate Nithya Raman paid Los Angeles rapper My Favorite Color to create and post a campaign diss track targeting incumbent Mayor Karen Bass ahead of Election Day. The video, released on social media with a required campaign disclaimer, criticizes Bass's handling of homelessness, wildfires, and local governance.

ElectionsCampaignsLocal GovernmentMayoral Race
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Why It Matters

The campaign advertisement deploys unconventional media—a rap diss track—to influence voter perceptions of the incumbent mayor in a tight mayoral race days before the election.

Key Facts

  • Mayoral candidate Nithya Raman paid Los Angeles rapper My Favorite Color to produce and release a campaign diss track against incumbent Mayor Karen Bass.
  • The video was posted to social media on October 30 with a caption featuring a disclaimer noting it was paid for by Nithya Raman for Mayor 2026 – General (FPPC ID: 1492051).
  • The song criticizes Karen Bass on issues including her response to the January 2025 wildfires and the city's homelessness crisis.
  • The lyrics disparage Bass's 'Inside Safe' housing program as 'Outside Dangerous' and accuse the incumbent of missing meetings.
  • The social media post featuring the diss track accumulated 18,000 likes within two days of publication.
  • According to a recent UC Berkeley IGS/Los Angeles Times poll, the mayoral race between Bass and Raman is in a dead heat with Election Day immediately approaching.

Who's Mentioned

PersonMy Favorite Color“Los Angeles rapper who created the diss track”PersonOvrkast“California rapper involved in a recent lawsuit”OrganizationOutKast“Legendary rap duo”PersonKaren Bass“Incumbent Los Angeles mayor and mayoral candidate”OrganizationKTLA“News outlet that spoke with the rapper”OrganizationUC Berkeley IGS/Los Angeles Times“Polling organization”PersonKendrick Lamar“Musical artist referenced via his song 'Savior'”PersonZohran Mamdani“New York City Mayor referenced in the article”PersonNithya Raman“Los Angeles mayoral candidate”locationLos Angeles“City holding the mayoral election”OrganizationNithya Raman for Mayor 2026 – General“Campaign committee funding the advertisement”OrganizationCalifornia Fair Political Practices Commission“State agency overseeing campaign finance and FPPC IDs”