All music has its political element -- it is, after all, comprised of voices from the polis, the community, the world at large. No other artform is so intimately connected to the material world; by its very nature it represents the people. And yet, as KRS-One's interlocutor in "Why" remarks, not everyone sees their character represented; Hip-hop's foundational task has been to change that. In this sense, every rap is political.
But in the heyday from 1987 to 1995, dozens of rappers charged the content of their rhymes with much more explicit political ammunition. Some of these groups have faded from collective memory: who now remembers the Goats, the Poor Righteous Teachers, Channel Live, or Laquan? Others have soldiered on, continuing to find outlets for their message to the present day: Chuck D, Paris (pictured) and The Coup. Perhaps the best known political rapper who is neither forgotten nor fossilized is Common, whom I've admired from back when he called himself Common Sense; although is is the most thoughtful of political rappers, his recent appearance at the White House stirred perhaps predictable right-wing outrage.
We'll have plenty to talk about on Monday -- but until class is in session, here's my personal playlist of the twelve hardest-hitting political rap tracks from this era:
1. Public Enemy, Fight the Power2. KRS-ONE, Sound of da Police3. Ice Cube, I Wanna Kill Sam4. Marxman, Ship Ahoy, feat. Sinead O'Connor5. The Coup, Pimps: Freestylin' at the Fortune 500 Club6. Paris, The Devil Made Me Do It (video directed by my friend Robert Caruso).7. Queen Latifah and Monie Love, Ladies First8. Roxanne Shanté, Year of the Independent Woman (video is a remix)10. George Clinton, Paint the White House Black11. Disposable Heroes of Hip-Hoprisy, Television, Drug of a Nation12. The Goats, Not Your Typical American
What would be your picks?
The 3 that I really like are already on this list. Fight the Power, Sound of da Police, and Freedom of Speech, are all time classics when it comes to political rap. Gangstarr is another rapper I would put on the list. One in particular song comes from the Moment of Truth album. "Robbin Hood Theory" presents a message that one would expect form the title, but it is done with stylish rhymes and a understated sophistication. One of my other favorites is "Channel Zero" by Can-I-Bus. In the song he raps about the public's ignorance towards the government. At times the song borders on conspiracy theory, but that is what makes it great. The sometimes outlandish claims may seem stupid, but can you prove him wrong? The song conveys the deeper meaning of be aware, be conscious of what is going on around you.
ReplyDeleteI have to add my man Immortal Technique.
ReplyDelete"Harlem Streets" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVL4IAKA9Lc
"4th Branch" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSfk0wLs4EE
After searching the internet for some alternate additions, the one that was not mentioned was X Clan "Raise the Flag" and Grandmaster Flash "The Message" which is an easily recognizable song but not known for its political content.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/Cqm3dywX2bA
I agree that Immortal Technique makes political rap, another group that should be mentioned as well as their individual projects, would be Mos Def and Talib Kweli, when they were Blackstarr. Gangstarr also deserves respect for their political message. I would also mention that Dead Prez is a current group that has very thought provoking and controversial material towards the government, as they dub themselves revolutionaries. Their song "Hip-Hop" is notable. Modern day rappers are also politically conscious it is just harder to find these artists, Ab-Soul and Kendrick Lamar are current rappers getting a lot of recognition and attention and are political in their lyricism. Pharoae Monch is also another political rpaper, as well as Talib Kwelis apprentice Jean Grae.
ReplyDeleteAlthough all the information wasn't presented by the rappers, what they did get across was their contempt for the authorities that keep them at a poverty level while attending to more important maters - like satellites and really expensive space toilettes. I particularly liked Paris and his mid-tempo music that allowed the listener to grasp his concerns and anger.
ReplyDeleteCory P Kirk