Roughly 100 supporters, many of them students, packed into Blarney Pub and Grill Tuesday night to support Minneapolis City Councilman Gary Schiff as he kicked off his mayoral campaign.

Minneapolis rapper Brother Ali, a friend of Schiff, was at the event to lend his support to the campaign. Ali, whose lyrics often critique political systems, said Schiff cares about people in a way most other politicians don't.

"I support Gary, and I don't support a whole lot of people in office," he said.

The gathered crowd was treated to a 20 minute set by rapper Brother Ali after he spoke.

In his speech to the crowd, Schiff said he's not a typical politician.

"I speak my mind, I don't talk in talking points and I listen," he said.

Taylor Williams, Minnesota Student Association President, also spoke in support of Schiff.

"As a student government, Gary Schiff supports us," he said. "And that's why I support him."

Schiff said he was happy with the student turnout at the event, and said he'll continue to need their support during a long campaign.

"This is just the beginning of a very long journey," he said.