 | This article has multiple issues. Please helpimprove it or discuss these issues on thetalk page.(Learn how and when to remove these messages) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
|
| Political hip hop | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Other names |
|
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | 1980s |
| Derivative forms | Conscious hip-hop |
| Other topics | |
Political hip hop (also known aspolitical rap andconscious hip-hop) is asubgenre ofhip hop music that emerged in the 1980s as a form of political expression andactivism. It typically addressessociopolitical issues through lyrics, aiming to inspire action, promote social change, or convey specific political viewpoints. The genre draws inspiration from earlier politically conscious artists, such asThe Last Poets andGil Scott-Heron, as well as movements like theBlack Power movement and theBlack Panther Party from the 1960s and 1970s.[1]
Notable early political hip hop artists includeKRS-One andBoogie Down Productions, as well asPublic Enemy, both of whom were influential in establishing political rap in the late 1980s with albums that addressed social and political concerns. Other artists, often labeled as part of the "conscious rap" movement, such asX-Clan,Poor Righteous Teachers,Paris, andDisposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, followed in subsequent years, expanding the genre's focus on political messages.[2][3][4]
The genre has long been intertwined with political activism, providing a platform for artists to address issues such aspolice brutality,racism,corruption, andeconomic inequality. Some well-known examples of politically charged hip hop songs include: "The Message" (1982), "Fight the Power" (1989), "Fuck tha Police" (1989), "Changes" (1998), "Mosh" (2004), "Minority Report" (2006), "The Blacker the Berry" (2015), "Snow on Tha Bluff" (2020), and "The Bigger Picture" (2020).[5][6]
Conscious hip-hop (also known associally conscious hip-hop orconscious rap) is a subgenre of hip hop that challenges the dominant cultural, social, political, sociopolitical, philosophical, and economic consensus,[7] and/or comments on or focuses onsocial issues andconflicts. Conscious hip hop is not necessarily overtly political, but the terms "conscious hip hop" and "political hip hop" are frequently used interchangeably, and conscious hip hop may often be implicitly political. Conscious hip hop began to gain traction in the 1980s, along with hip hop in general. The term "nation-conscious rap" has been used to more specifically describe conscious hip hop music with certain strong political messages and themes, especiallyBlack empowerment themes.[8] Some themes of conscious hip hop include social conscience,Afrocentricity,religion, culture, theeconomy, depictions of the struggles of ordinary people, and aversion to or commentary oncrime andviolence. Conscious hip hop often seeks to raise awareness of social issues, sometimes leaving the listeners to form their own opinions rather than advocating for certain ideas and demanding actions like political hip hop.[7] Conscious hip hop artists often use their music to express their views on a wide range of topics, including politics, race, poverty, and the environment.
Before the emergence of political hip hop, the Black Power Movement and the emphasis on black pride arising in the mid-1960s inspired several commentaries incorporating Black Power ideological elements. Songs expressing the theme of black pride includeJames Brown's "Say it Loud (I'm Black and Proud)" (1969) andBilly Paul's "Am I Black Enough for You?" (1972). Theproto-rap of Gil Scott-Heron is an early influence on political and conscious rap, however, most of his earlier socially conscious and political albums fall within thejazz,soul, andfunk genres. FollowingRonald Reagan’s election as President in 1980, conditions in inner-city African-American communities worsened, and hip hop political commentators began to increasingly address worsening social problems such as massunemployment,police brutality,incarceration, inadequatepublic schools,political apathy, and oppression.[9] One of the first socially conscious hip hop songs was "How We Gonna Make the Black Nation Rise?" by Brother D with Collective Effort.[10] One of the most successful early hip hop conscious rap songs wasGrandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's "The Message", an influential political and conscious hip hop track, decrying the poverty, violence, and dead-end lives of the urban poor of the time. The 1985 filmRappin' saw a more political dimension to hip hop, including some verses of Ice-T's rapKillers, his first political record. Furthermore, the complex socio-political issues before hip hop and during all of its stages severely influenced its birth and direction.[11]
Earlygangsta rap often showed significant overlap with political and conscious rap.[12] Pioneers in the gangsta rap genre such asIce-T, N.W.A.,Ice Cube, and theGeto Boys blended the crime stories, violent imagery, and aggression associated with gangsta rap with socio-political commentary. Using the now standard gangsta rap motifs of crime and violence, they were able to comment on the state of society and expose issues found within poor communities and society as a whole.[13] These early gangsta rap artists were influenced in part by the bleak and often "revolutionary" crime novels ofIceberg Slim as well as hip hop groups such as Public Enemy andBoogie Down Productions; groups that mixed aggressive, confrontational lyrics about urban life with social-political commentary and often radical political messages. The controversial debut albumStraight Outta Compton by N.W.A, released in 1989 brought gangsta rap to the mainstream, but it also contained harsh social and political commentary, including the confrontational track "Fuck tha Police." Ice-T's work would sometimes focus on other topics: for example, he rapped about free speech onhis third album, and about drunk driving, domestic violence, andNelson Mandela onhis fourth album.[14]
After his departure from the group N.W.A in 1989, Ice Cube embarked on a solo career and released socio-political and conscious rap with gangsta rap elements in his 1990 debut albumAmerikkka's Most Wanted and the companionEPKill at Will; the 1991 albumDeath Certificate; followed by the 1992 album,The Predator.[15] Furthermore, Ice Cube produced and appeared on the controversial and radical political rap/gangsta rap albumGuerillas in tha Mist byDa Lench Mob in the wake of the1992 Los Angeles Riots.[15] Though Ice Cube would continue to sporadically insert political and social commentary into his music throughout his career, he once again focused on conscious and political rap with his 2006 albumLaugh Now, Cry Later[15] and 2008'sRaw Footage, featuring the single "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It", a song dealing with the perceived correlation between music and global issues (e.g. theIraq War, school shootings, etc.).
Underground rap, also known as underground hip hop, is a subgenre of hip hop known for its political and socially conscious lyrics. Unlike mainstream rap, which often focuses on themes such as money, power, and fame, underground rap addresses more serious and often controversial topics, such asracism,police brutality, andsocial inequality.[5]
Underground rap artists are often critical of their government and its policies, and use their music to express their political views. Many underground rap songs are highly political, and the lyrics often reflect the artists' personal experiences and perspectives on social and political issues. For example, some songs may address specific incidents of police brutality, while others may discuss the effects of poverty and inequality on communities of color.[9]
One of the main goals of underground rap is to challenge mainstream narratives and to provide an alternative voice to those who are often marginalized or ignored by mainstream media. In addition to addressing political and social issues, underground rap is known for its emphasis on artistic creativity and individuality. In contrast to mainstream rap, which often follows a formulaic approach, underground rap is more diverse and experimental in its sound and style. This allows underground rap artists to express themselves in unique and innovative ways and to create music that is truly original and authentic.[16]
Underground rap is an important sub-genre of hip hop that provides a platform for artists to discuss important political and social issues while challenging mainstream narratives. By using their music to express their views and experiences, underground rap artists can raise awareness about important issues and inspire others to take action.[5]
The artists who consistently produce conscious rap are largely consideredunderground.[17][18] However, mainstream artists are increasingly including elements of conscious hip hop in their songs.[19] There are hundreds of artists whose music could be described as "political" or who identify as political rappers: see thelist of political hip hop artists page for a partial list.[20]
Hip hop's impact on the political world is widespread. The response from mainstream politics has resulted in the spread of ideas, and opinions, and the formation of an informal dialogue surrounding largely controversial topics.
From the onset of hip hop in the 1980s throughout the 1990s, hip hop culture was either ignored or criticized by politicians. In the 1990s, the cultural idea that rap music was a symptom of the "destruction of American values" received bipartisan support.[21] In 1992,Vice PresidentDan Quayle called onInterscope Records to withdraw2Pacalypse Now because it was a "disgrace to American music". The catalyst for Quayle's outrage was an incident when a Texas youth shot astate trooper and referenced the album as his motivation.[21] In2Pacalypse Now, rapper Tupac Shakur raised issues ofinstitutional racism,teen pregnancy, andpolice brutality.[22] In the song "Trapped", he tells a fictional story of how a police officer slams him on the ground without cause, but before he gets arrested the police officer is shot. His lyrics read "how can I feel guilty after all the things they did to me?"
Throughout the 2000s, hip hop music has become a larger part of mainstream culture and is seen as more acceptable in the political sphere. In 2015,The Washington Post wrote "The politician's guide to how to be down with hip hop" which draws reference to the use of hip hop culture in politics.[23] Criticism of hip hop that was considered moral andpatriotic one generation ago, can make a politician seem "out of touch", especially withyounger voters.[23] PoliticianMike Huckabee was viewed as being "out of touch" when he referred toBeyoncé as "mental poison" in his book:God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy.[24] In 2008, during Barack Obama's Democratic primary campaign against then-rivalHillary Clinton, he referencedJay-Z by doing hisDirt off Your Shoulder motion in a rally and the audience erupted with support.[25] The embrace of hip hop has occurred across party lines. Republican SenatorMarco Rubio is a vocal fan of Tupac and gangsta rap. Rubio said "In some ways rappers are like reporters... You had gang wars, racial tension, and they were reporting on that."[21] 45thPresident of the United StatesDonald Trump leveraged hip hop to his advantage during his 2016 election campaign. He occasionally quoted that rapperMac Miller wrote a song called "Donald Trump", and that it has over 100,000,000 views.[23]
In the2018 midterm elections, lawyer and former rapperAntonio Delgado was elected toNew York's 19th congressional district.[26]
As hip hop is a music genre originally created and dominated byAfrican-Americans, political rappers often reference and discussBlack liberation and the Black power movement. Numerous hip hop songs expressanti-racist views, such as the popularThe Black Eyed Peas song "Where Is the Love?"; however, artists advocating for more radical Black liberation have remained controversial. Artists such asPublic Enemy, Tupac Shakur,Ice Cube,Game, and Kendrick Lamar have advocated Black liberation in their lyrics and poetry. In Tupac Shakur's poem, "How Can We Be Free", Shakur discusses the sacrifices of Blackpolitical prisoners and the rejection of patriotic symbols. Artists in the 2010s, such asKiller Mike and Kendrick Lamar, have released songs criticizing thewar on drugs and theprison industrial complex from an anti-racist perspective. Hip hop music continues to draw the attention and support of the struggles of minority groups in a modern method of communication that attracts a young demographic of activists. Kendrick Lamar and many other rappers have been credited with creating discussions regarding "Blackness" through their music.[27]
Particularly with the advent ofgangsta rap, many hip hop artists come fromunderclass backgrounds. Artists such as Tupac Shakur, Ice Cube, and Killer Mike have made references to class oppression. Tupac Shakur incorporates themes ofrevolutionary nationalism in his lyrics. In "Words of Wisdom" from the album2Pacalypse Now, Shakur's lyrics underscore the refusal to accepteconomic inequality and inadequate employment opportunities.
Rappers often reference their religious views. Killer Mike, however, has been heavily critical oforganized religion in many of his more political songs.[28] Chicago-raised rapperKanye West'sThe Life of Pablo album is another that offers an outlet for religious expression and self-assessment. In January 2019, West began hosting"Sunday Service" events where fans and invited guests can come to listen to choir renditions of his music, gospel songs, and pray.[29]
Conspiracy theories have been referenced in hip hop lyrics for some time. Elements of theFive-Percenter philosophy, which include a number of conspiracy theories, have significantly influenced hip hop culture. RapperB.o.B is a member of theFlat Earth Society.[30]
On a global scale, hip hop's public reputation and exhibition is varied. For instance, Canada's most prominent political hip hop act isThe Dope Poet Society, who are known foranti-racist andanti-war activism, as well as denouncing bothliberal andconservative politicians. Their politics could be described asthird-worldism, or black internationalism. For example, in "Bombay to Zimbabwe," lead rapperProfessor D states "fromBombay toZimbabwe I study sharply:Bob Marley,Marcus Garvey,Mahatma Gandhi,Black Panther Party."[31] Possibly on purpose, these influences seem ideologically contradictory in some ways (e.g. for instance, Marley's subtlesocialism vs. Garvey'santi-communism, andnon-violence vs.violence) but taken together they represent different approaches to the shared goal of linking anti-racist andanti-colonial struggles in the Americas and the rest of the world.Professor D andThe Dope Poet Society also seem to represent this ideology on their album by featuring American political rappers likedead prez and others with rappers from around the world includingNigeria andColombia. Other examples of hip hop around the world offer opposite perspectives. For example,Lowkey andIron Sheik have expressedanti-Zionist views in their music, whereas Golan, Pope Troy andSubliminal have expressedpro-Zionist views. with Pope Troy combiningDonald Trumps American conservative ideologues withpro-Israeli ideals acting as a political lobbyist for the different representation of groups.[32]
Political rappers ofHispanic,Brazilian orPortuguese descent includeCalle 13,Racionais MC's,Olmeca,Tohil,Immortal Technique,Rebel Diaz,Manny Phesto, MRK, Portavoz,Facção Central,Psycho Realm,Ana Tijoux,Bocafloja,Zack de la Rocha,Pablo Hasél (Spain),Los Chikos del Maiz (fromValencia, Spain), andCanserbero.
Within the United Kingdomhip hop andGrime music scene, political, conscious rap is common, with artists includingLowkey, who focus on theIsrael-Palestine conflict and other issues regarding the Middle East, Logic,Akala, I & Ideal, Mic Righteous,Klashnekoff, Mic Reckless,Riz MC and English Frank.
Before thesnap election on June 8, 2017,Leader of the OppositionJeremy Corbyn met withJME while campaigning for theLabour Party to encourage young people to register to vote.[33] During the interview, JME explained that many young voters don't feel as though politicians have their best interests at heart. He said they often feel that voting makes no difference anyway. He went on to tell Corbyn that he is the first party leader he feels he can trust, because he is "so genuine it feels like I’m about to meet my mum’s friend".[34]
Indigenous rappersBriggs and his collaboration with Trials forA.B. Original is one of the most prominent political hip hop artists in Australia. ArtistsUrthboy,Jimblah,The Herd,Horrorshow, andL-FRESH the Lion are all part of theElefant Traks record label, and often have politically motivated songs. Their main focuses are racism andxenophobia butThe Herd also focuses on issues ofclimate,gender inequality and war.Quro's 2007 EPGoodnight Mr. Howard contains overtly political critique of theHoward government and its policies. Some artists have expressed views ondomestic violence through their lyrics. One example is the all-female indigenous hip hop group, Oetha, in their 2019 songDisturbing the Peace.[35]
Music created byNorwegian rappers often become part public discourse, making them part of the political process. This includes songs, lyrics and performances within the hip hop genre. Hip Hop music can be seen as an integral part of the democratic public sphere processes.[36]
Due to the long history ofhuman rights violations in Iran, many Iranian rappers address contemporary social and political issues through their music. Some well-known examples of Iranian political hip hop artists includeHichkas,Fadaei,Shapur, Quf,Yas, andToomaj Salehi. Since it is illegal to criticize the government and social issues inIran, most of the Iranian rappers live abroad.[37]
Rapper Toomaj Salehi, who lives in Iran, was arrested during theMahsa Amini protests on October 30, 2022, for hissocial awareness activities on hissocial media and releasing two protest songs "Battleground" and "Omen" during the protests.[38] On November 27, 2022, Iranian media revealed that Salehi was charged with "corruption on Earth", an offense which could carry thedeath penalty.[39] Salehi became one of the well-known faces of the revolutionary movement "Woman, Life, Freedom", denouncing the repression by the Iranian government. He has since been reportedly insolitary confinement and undertorture.[40][41]
Rap in theRussian Federation and other Russophone countries is becoming increasingly politicized. Many hip hop songs criticize the quality of life underVladimir Putin and his regime.[42]
{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal= (help)