List of political hip hop artists
In hip hop music, political hip hop, or political rap, is a form developed in the 1980s, inspired by 1970s political preachers such as The Last Poets and Gil Scott-Heron. Public Enemy were the first political hip hop group to gain commercial success.[1] Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five released the first sociopolitical rap song in 1982, named “The Message”, which inspired many rappers to address social and political topics.[2]
List
Name | Years active | Continent | Country | Origin (city, state) | Language | Main concerns | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A Tribe Called Quest | 1985–1998, 2006–2013, 2015–2017 | North America | US | Queens, New York | English | Systemic racism, education | |
Ab-Soul | 2003–present | North America | US | Los Angeles, California | English | ||
Ace Hood | 2006–present | North America | US | Deerfield Beach, Florida | English | ||
Aesop Rock | 1996–present | North America | US | Northport, New York | English | ||
Akala | 2004–present | Europe | UK | Archway, London, Greater London | English | ||
Akir | 2003–present | North America | US | Buffalo, New York | English | ||
Advanced Chemistry | 1987–present | Europe | Germany | Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg | German | ||
Assassin | 1991–2011 | Europe | France | Paris, Île-de-France | French | ||
Atmosphere | 1989–present | North America | US | Minneapolis, Minnesota | English | ||
Balen | 2012-present | Asia | Nepal | Kathmandu, Nepal | Nepali | ||
B. Dolan | 1999–present | North America | US | Providence, Rhode Island | English | ||
B.o.B | 2006–present | North America | US | Decatur, Georgia | English | ||
Beogradski Sindikat | 1999–present | Europe | Serbia | Belgrade, Belgrade | Serbian | ||
Big K.R.I.T. | 2005–present | North America | US | Meridian, Mississippi | English | ||
Binary Star | 1998–present | North America | US | Pontiac, Michigan | English | ||
BLKD | 2010–present | Asia | Philippines | Naic, Cavite | Filipino | ||
Blood of Abraham | 1993–2000 | North America | US | Los Angeles, California | English | ||
Blue Scholars | 2002–present | North America | US | Seattle, Washington | English | ||
Boogie Down Productions | 1985–1992 | North America | US | South Bronx, New York | English | ||
Braintax | 1990–2008 | Europe | UK | Leeds, West Yorkshire | English | ||
Brother Ali | 1998–present | North America | US | Minneapolis, Minnesota | English | ||
Bryson Gray | 2019–present | North America | US | High Point, North Carolina | English | ||
Corporate Avenger | 1998–2005 | North America | US | Huntington Beach, California | English | Politics, knowledge, spirituality | |
Chance the Rapper | 2012–present | North America | US | Chicago, Illinois | English | ||
Common | 1991–present | North America | US | Chicago, Illinois | English | ||
Common Market | 2005–2009 | North America | US | Seattle, Washington | English | ||
Cupcakke | 2012–present | North America | US | Chicago, Illinois | English | Racism, LGBT, sexism, feminism | |
The Coup[3] | 1991–Present | North America | US | Oakland, California | English | ||
Capital STEEZ | 2009–2012 | North America | US | Brooklyn, New York City, New York | English | ||
Da Lench Mob | 1989–1995 | North America | US | Los Angeles, California | English | ||
Dälek | 1998–2011, 2015–present | North America | US | Newark, New Jersey | English | ||
DAM | 1999–present | Asia | Palestine | Lod | Arabic, English, Hebrew | Israeli-Palestinian conflict, poverty | |
Dave | 2016–present | Europe | UK | Streatham, London | English | ||
David Banner | 1994–present | North America | US | Jackson, Mississippi | English | ||
Dead Prez[4] | 1996–present | North America | US | New York, New York | English | Systemic racism, misogyny, prison industry, poverty, crime, education, health | |
Deep Dickollective | 2000–2008 | North America | US | San Francisco, California | English | LGBT Hip Hop | |
Denzel Curry | 2011–present | North America | US | Carol City, Florida | English | ||
Diabolic[5][failed verification] | 2003–present | North America | US | Huntington Station, New York | English | ||
Diamondog | 1998–present | Africa | Angola | Luanda, Luanda | Portuguese | ||
The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy[6] | 1990–1993 | North America | US | San Francisco, California | English | ||
Dizzy Wright | 2010–present | North America | US | Las Vegas, Nevada | English | ||
The Dope Poet Society[7] | 1995–present | North America | Canada | Toronto, Ontario | English | Criticism of right-wing politics, war, and racism. | |
Eminem | 1988–present | North America | US | Detroit, Michigan | English | ||
Eyedea | 1993–2010 | North America | US | Saint Paul, Minnesota | English | ||
Flobots | 2005–present | North America | US | Denver, Colorado | English | ||
Fyütch | 2005–present | North America | US | Nashville, Tennessee | English | ||
Gil Scott-Heron | 1969–2011 | North America | US | Chicago, Illinois | English | ||
The Goats[5][failed verification] | |||||||
Greydon Square[8] | |||||||
Hasan Salaam | |||||||
The Herd | 2001–present | Australia | Australia | Sydney, New South Wales | English | ||
Hichkas[9][10][11] | Asia | Iran | Tehran | Persian | |||
Hi-Rez | 2001-present | North America | US | Florida | English | Anti-woke, patriotism, freedom of speech, anti political correctness, conspiracy theories | |
Hopsin | North America | US | Los Angeles, California | English | |||
Hostyle Gospel | |||||||
Ice Cube | 1984–present | North America | US | Compton, California | English | ||
Ice-T[12] | 1982–present | North America | US | Los Angeles, California | English | Especially on the albums The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech... Just Watch What You Say!, OG Original Gangster and Home Invasion. His single LP Killers (1984) was amongst the earliest political raps. | |
Ill Bill | 1986–present | North America | US | Glenwood Houses, Brooklyn, New York | English | ||
Immortal Technique[13] | 2000–present | North America | US | Harlem, New York, New York | English | ||
J. Cole | 2007–present | North America | US | Fayetteville, North Carolina | English | ||
Jay Electronica | 1995–present | North America | US | New Orleans, Louisiana | English | ||
Jay Rock | 2003–present | North America | US | Los Angeles, California | English | ||
Jedi Mind Tricks | 1993–present | North America | US | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | English | ||
Jehst | 1998–present | Europe | UK | London, Greater London | English | ||
Joey Badass | 2010–present | North America | US | New York, New York | English | Systemic racism, slavery, health | |
JPEGMafia | 2016–present | North America | US | Baltimore , Maryland | English | ||
Juba Kalamka | 1988–present | North America | US | Chicago, Illinois | English | LGBT Hip Hop | |
Kendrick Lamar | 2004–present | North America | US | Compton, California | English | Systemic Racism | |
Kanye West | 1996–present | North America | US | Chicago, Illinois | English | See Views of Kanye West | |
Keny Arkana | 1996–present | Europe | France | Marseille | French | ||
Killer Mike | 1995–present | North America | US | Atlanta, Georgia | English | ||
K.I.Z | 2000–present | Europe | Germany | Berlin | German | Criticism of capitalism, Antifascism | |
Kolateral | 2019–present | Asia | Philippines | Manila, Metro Manila | Filipino, English | Drug War, Fascism, Poverty | |
KRS-One[14] | 1985–present | North America | US | South Bronx, New York City, New York | English | Systemic racism, education, police brutality | |
Kutt Calhoun | 1993–present | North America | US | Kansas City, Missouri | Lenguage | ||
La Familia | 1996–2011, 2017–present | Europe | Romania | Sălăjan, Bucharest | Romanian | ||
Lauryn Hill | 1989–present | North America | US | East Orange, New Jersey | English | Systemic racism, integrity | |
Lecrae | 2004–present | South America | US | Houston, Texas | English | ||
Little Simz | 2010–present | Europe | UK | Islington, London, Greater London | English | ||
Logic | 2010–2020, 2021–present | North America | US | Gaithersburg, Maryland | English | Suicide Awareness and prevention | |
Looptroop Rockers | Europe | Sweden | English | ||||
The Lost Children of Babylon[15][16] | |||||||
Lowkey | 2001–2012, 2016–present | Europe | UK | London, Greater London | English | ||
Lupe Fiasco | 2000–present | North America | US | Chicago, Illinois | English | ||
Macklemore | 2000–present | North America | US | Seattle, Washington | English | ||
Manny Phesto | 2010–present | North America | US | Minneapolis, Minnesota | English | ||
Manu Militari | |||||||
Marlon Craft | 2015–present | North America | US | New York, New York | English | ||
M.I.A. | 2000–present | Europe | UK | Hounslow, London, Greater London | English | ||
Michael Franti | 1986–present | North America | US | San Francisco, California | English | ||
Mr. Lif[17] | |||||||
Mos Def[18] | 1994–present | North America | US | Brooklyn, New York | English | Systemic racism, police brutality, corporate greed, violence, Islamophobia, torture, sexual violence, murder, slavery, education, integrity | |
Narcy | |||||||
Nas | 1991–present | North America | US | Queens, NYC, New York | English | Systemic racism, education | |
Nipsey Hussle | 2005–2019 | North America | US | Los Angeles, California | English | Anti-Trump | |
Noname | North America | US | Chicago, Illinois | English | |||
Olmeca | North America | US | Los Angeles, California | English, Spanish | |||
Paraziții | 1995–present | Europe | Romania | Romanian | political humor | ||
Paris[19] | 1989–present | North America | US | Oakland, California | English | ||
The Perceptionists[20] | |||||||
Poor Righteous Teachers | Systemic racism, crime and violence, education, integrity | ||||||
Promoe | Europe | Sweden | English, Swedish | ||||
Psycho Realm | |||||||
Public Enemy[21] | 1982–present | North America | US | Long Island, New York | English | Systemic racism, slavery | |
Rage Against the Machine (rap metal) | 1991–2000, 2007–2011 | North America | US | Los Angeles, California | English | Systemic racism, white supremacy, racism, hate crimes, murder, corporate and political greed, wealth inequality, poverty, antifascist | |
Ra Scion | North America | US | English | ||||
R.A. the Rugged Man | North America | US | Lawrence, Massachusetts | English | |||
Ras Kass | 1994–present | North America | US | Los Angeles, California | English | ||
Rebel Diaz[22] | |||||||
Reconcile | |||||||
Rockin' Squat | 1985–present | Europe | France | Paris, Île-de-France | French | ||
The Roots | 1987–present | North America | US | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | English | ||
Run The Jewels | 2013–present | North America | US | ATL, GA / NYC, NY | English | ||
Sabac Red | North America | US | English | ||||
Sage Francis | 1996–present | North America | US | Providence, Rhode Island | English | ||
Scarface | 1988–present | South America | US | Houston, Texas | English | ||
Shahin Najafi[23][24] | |||||||
slowthai | 2015–present | Europe | UK | Abington, Northamptonshire | English | ||
Sole | North America | US | Portland, Maine | English | |||
Street Academics | 2009–present | Asia | India | Kerala | Malayalam, English, Tamil | ||
Street Sweeper Social Club | English | ||||||
Talib Kweli | 1996–present | North America | US | Brooklyn, NYC, New York | English | Systemic racism, white supremacy, misogyny, women's rights, sexual violence, Islamophobia, antisemitism, xenophobia, police brutality, hate crimes, gun violence, war, oil industry, reparations, education, integrity, antifascist, anti-bigotry | |
Terminator X | 1986–1988 | US | English | ||||
Tom MacDonald | 2018–present | North America | US | Los Angeles, California[25] | English | Fake "Wokeness", patriotism, "anti-white racism", freedom of speech, political correctness, conspiracy theories | |
Toomaj Salehi | 2006-2022 | Asia & Europe | Iran | Gerd Bisheh, Chaharmaha and Bakhtiari, Iran | Persian | ||
Tragedy Khadafi | 1985–present | North America | US | Queens, NYC, New York | English | ||
Tupac Shakur | 1987–1996 | North America | US | Harlem, NYC, New York | English | Racism, police brutality, misogyny, women's rights | |
The Visionaries | |||||||
Saul Williams[26] | |||||||
Urthboy | 1998–present | Australia | Australia | Sydney | English | ||
Valete | 1997–present | Europe | Portugal | Benfica, Lisbon | Portuguese | ||
Vic Mensa | 2009–present | North America | US | Chicago, Illinois | English | ||
Vince Staples | 2008–present | North America | US | Long Beach | English | ||
Vinnie Paz | 1993–present | North America | US | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | English | ||
X Clan | 1989–1995, 2006–present | North America | US | Harlem, NYC, New York | English | ||
Yama Buddha | 2011-2017 | Asia & Europe | Nepal & UK | Ghattekulo-32, Kathmandu & Ruislip, London | English, Nepali | ||
Name | Years active | Continent | Country | Origin (city, state) | Language | Main concerns |
See also
References
- ^ Political Rap. Allmusic. Accessed July 2, 2008.
- ^ Bogdanov et al. 2003, p. 563
- ^ "Artists Biography". Archived from the original on March 25, 2003.
- ^ "M1 of the Radical Hip Hop Duo Dead Prez Talks About Black Music and Politics". Democracy Now!.
- ^ a b "Rolling Stone reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 18, 2008.
- ^ "VH1 Artist Bio". Archived from the original on November 30, 2002.
- ^ Now Magazine, Hipolitics Review Archived 2007-09-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Greydon Square interview". Archived from the original on 2014-09-28. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
- ^ "Iran's underground music challenge". BBC News. 8 May 2006.
- ^ "Wamc: : HichKas (2008-10-14)".
- ^ "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah". Comedy Central. Archived from the original on August 18, 2015.
- ^ Ice-T blinks, Robert Christgau, Village Voice, 11 August 1992
- ^ Heinzelman, Bill. "Political Hip-Hop Artists". UGO. Archived from the original on 2012-07-03. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
- ^ . July 27, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110727140154/http://shop.mtv.com/viewcategory.htm?categoryId=421022&start=73&sortby=. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011.
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- ^ "MTV Mr. Lif profile". MTV. Archived from the original on November 16, 2006.
- ^ "New Music Videos, Reality TV Shows, Celebrity News, Pop Culture". MTV. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012.
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- ^ "San Francisco Bay Guardian | Looking for a Guardian article?".
- ^ "100 Greatest Artists". Rolling Stone. December 3, 2010.
- ^ Diego Graglia (August 15, 2007). "Political Hip Hop at SOBSs". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2008-12-21.
- ^ "HipHop show in Berlin, in solidarity with the protest movement in Iran". Payvand Iran News. NetNative. 18 July 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
- ^ "Interview with Shahin Najafi about Illusion album". Deutsche Welle :International public broadcaster. Shahram Ahadi. 10 November 2009. Archived from the original on 11 July 2010. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
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