Anti-violence group releases rap video for Murray Bailey

Campaign raps are definitely becoming a thing in Philadelphia. Ori Feibush had one written for his failed City Council bid during the primary (which, sadly, seems to have been removed from SoundCloud). Now it’s Republican mayoral candidate Melissa Murray Bailey’s turn. 

The video and accompanying track called “I Want To Live” was filmed in North Philly and directed by Terry Starks of the Express Ur Self Urban Crisis Response Center. Starks, a longtime anti-violence activist, is one of Bailey’s biggest supporters and is disappointed with the city’s Democratic Party.

“We being swept under the rug and we need a change in the city of Philadelphia,” he said.

The rap criticizes politicians who have left people “hopeless,” and “never come where we live.”

“We need a voice, we need a savior. Come out and vote, yeah, Melissa for mayor,” it continues.

The video also features three other Republican hopefuls: City Council at-large candidates Al Taubenberger and Terry Tracy, and Ross Feinberg, who’s running for register of wills.  

Murray Bailey did not respond to a call for comment, but wrote on her Facebook page that she was “humbled” and “honored” by the video. Her senior policy adviser, Tom Kurek told NinetyNine the campaign did not commission it.

Murray Bailey goes to Quizzo

In other Murray Bailey news, the mayoral candidate was at Billy Murphy’s Irish Saloon in East Falls Tuesday night for Quizzo — a tradition started by the founder of this blog (and Quizzo host), Brian Hickey. Writing now for Philly Voice, Hickey reports Bailey told the other contestants at the bar she supports Mayor Michael Nutter’s call to dissolve the School Reform Commission and criticized Democrat Jim Kenney’s proposal to expand the Port of Philadelphia.

But the thing that got all the Quizzo teams talking? Her stance on the city’s year-old law decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana:

“We live in a row house and have a 4-year-old daughter. I don’t want her having to smell that,” she explained.

It was that answer that drew the most reaction from those in attendance, who were asked to comment on Murray Bailey’s appearance after she finished speaking.

Among their responses:

“I wish she liked the smell of marijuana more. Otherwise, she killed it.” – Corner Peeps

“Why doesn’t her row house have walls?” – When I Say Butt, You Say Hole. Butt!

“An old white dude is running for mayor. The other candidate is a Republican. What has the world come to?!” – We’re Just Here For The Beer

And, “Bailey did better than expected. She answered the tough questions and stayed until the end.” – F— the Mets