By Jordan Heller
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — It's extremely unlikely that Jimmy McMillan will win his bid to become New York's next governor Tuesday, but the candidate from the Rent Is Too Damn High party will have cause to celebrate regardless. Election Day is also the release date of his new album.
McMillan, an eccentric candidate with black gloves and silver muttonchops, stole the show at last week's gubernatorial debate with a single and oft-repeated refrain: "The rent is too damn high."
The Brooklyn resident, 64, became an instant Internet sensation and was even caricatured on "Saturday Night Live."
Whether McMillan can parlay his newfound notoriety into success as a recording artist will be seen Nov. 2, when his album, aptly titled "The Rent Is Too Damn High," will be released on iTunes.
"Vote for me and buy my album," McMillan entreats on his website.
"Why!" the site reads. "Because the rent is too damn high."
The New York Times claims to have obtained an exclusive first single, called "What Is This?" Another song, which may or may not be on the album, called "Let's Party," can be heard on McMillan's website.
Both songs feature bass, synthesizer and drums circa early 1980s New York hip-hop, a mixture of rapping and singing and, of course, the lyrics "Rent Is Too Damn High."
Say what you will about New York's latest cult figure, but you have to admit, the man knows how to get his message across.