Remember this? '2 Legit 2 Quit' campaign video featuring San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee (left) stands with MC Hammer during a campaign video in 2011. Photo: YouTube fearthemustache1
SAN FRANCISCO - Mayor Ed Lee's name is not synonymous with rap.
But not many of us can forget one of the most bizarre, and hysterical, campaign videos ever as Lee sought to run for mayor in 2011, all to the beat of MC Hammer’s "2 Legit 2 Quit."
Lee was acting mayor at the time, after having gotten the job when then-Mayor Gavin Newsom left to become lieutenant governor. The video is pretty wacky, a contrast to a mayor better known for being an intense policy wonk, albeit with a sense of humor.
“Newsom left and they put him in charge,” the lyrics go. “Fear the mustache.”
Hammer donated his tune to Lee, and the Lee campaign got endorsements from Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, YouTube product manager Hunter Walk and Google VP of location and local services Marissa Mayer, who dances during her role in the video. Lee had sought to bring tech to San Francisco, while also providing affordable housing for those in the working- and middle-class.
Other notables in the video are former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, ex-49ers safety Ronnie Lott, Will.i.am and Giants pitcher Brian Wilson.
The campaign, created by Portal A Interactive, was recognized as the best political video of the year by Time, NY Times, Atlantic, and Washington Post. YouTube called it a case study of good American political ads.
The Washington Post also noted that Lee didn't create the video, it was the handiwork of San Franciscans for Jobs and Good Government, created after some accused Lee's campaign of being involved with Chinatown voter fraud.
Lee died suddenly on Tuesday at age 65.