Charli XCX’s ‘Brat’ Album Sparks Trend of Political Memes Featuring Kamala Harris

Lime green is having its moment, and it’s all thanks to Charli XCX‘s new album, “Brat,” that dropped on June 7. This high-energy dance-pop album has not only taken over playlists but also inspired a whole aesthetic, dubbed the “brat summer.”

The album is packed with themes of partying, womanhood, and nostalgia for trends like Von Dutch. Its vibrant cover art featuring “brat” in low-res Arial font on a lime green background caught the attention of fans who embraced the album’s carefree vibes.

On TikTok, the hashtag #bratsummer is buzzing, with over 41,200 posts showcasing the party-animal antics that characterize this trend. Many see the brat summer movement as a celebration of imperfections, encouraging people to embrace their messy sides while enjoying life.

Charli described the ethos behind her album in an Instagram post: it’s about “me, my flaws, my f— ups, my ego all rolled into one.” In a TikTok video, she elaborated on what being a “brat” means—essentially being a girl who partakes in the chaos of life, party through the ups and downs.

The brat trend has gone beyond just music and dance, reaching the political sphere with none other than Vice President Kamala Harris becoming an unlikely brat icon. Following news of President Biden stepping back from the 2024 election, Charli tweeted her support for Harris, which quickly went viral, sparking creative memes and videos pairing the Vice President with songs from “brat.”

Harris’ campaign team has cleverly jumped onto this bandwagon, mimicking the album’s iconic cover art for their social media accounts. The Kamala HQ Twitter account now sports a neon green banner, echoing the brat aesthetic and joining a fun community discussion around Harris’ personality—and her relatable, vibrant quirks.

The brat conversation has even popped up in mainstream media. On MSNBC, Rachel Maddow discussed the memes and the cultural movement around them with Senator Amy Klobuchar, highlighting how Charli XCX’s endorsement of Harris has bridged a connection between pop culture and politics.

As Harris’ campaign gears up with this fresh and lively energy, they’re also selling merchandise that connects with the brat theme. One fun campaign slogan reads, “All the 365 party girls will be riding to the polls in their demo(b)rat shirts to elect Kamala Harris.” This is a playful nod to the youthful, fun-loving vibe of the brat movement.