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
[edit] | This section possibly contains original research. (June 2021) |
| Name | Years active | Continent | Country | Origin (city, state) | Language | Main concerns | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 Posse | 1991–2005, 2009–present | Europe | Italy | Naples, Campania | Italian | Left-wing activism, antifascism | |
| 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 | ||||
| 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[25] | |||||||
| 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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ 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.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Hip Hop RnB Soul review". Archived from the original on 2016-01-28. Retrieved 2014-01-03.
- ^ Darlington, Andy. "MARXMAN". Hotpress.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "New Music Videos, Reality TV Shows, Celebrity News, Pop Culture". MTV. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Music News & Concert Reviews". JamBase. March 15, 2015.