List of political hip-hop artists

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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]

Contents

List

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by editing the page to add missing items, with references to reliable sources.
NameYears activeContinentCountryOrigin (city, state)LanguageMain concerns
99 Posse 1991–2005, 2009–presentEuropeItalyNaples, CampaniaItalianLeft-wing activism, antifascism
A Tribe Called Quest 1985–1998, 2006–2013, 2015–2017North AmericaUSQueens, New YorkEnglishSystemic racism, education
Ab-Soul 2003–presentNorth AmericaUSLos Angeles, CaliforniaEnglish
Ace Hood 2006–presentNorth AmericaUSDeerfield Beach, FloridaEnglish
Aesop Rock 1996–presentNorth AmericaUSNorthport, New YorkEnglish
Akala 2004–presentEuropeUKArchway, London, Greater LondonEnglish
Akir 2003–presentNorth AmericaUSBuffalo, New YorkEnglish
Advanced Chemistry 1987–presentEuropeGermanyHeidelberg, Baden-WürttembergGerman
Assassin 1991–2011EuropeFranceParis, Île-de-FranceFrench
Atmosphere 1989–presentNorth AmericaUSMinneapolis, MinnesotaEnglish
Balen 2012-presentAsiaNepalKathmandu, NepalNepali
B. Dolan 1999–presentNorth AmericaUSProvidence, Rhode IslandEnglish
B.o.B 2006–presentNorth AmericaUSDecatur, GeorgiaEnglish
Beogradski Sindikat 1999–presentEuropeSerbiaBelgrade, BelgradeSerbian
Big K.R.I.T. 2005–presentNorth AmericaUSMeridian, MississippiEnglish
Binary Star 1998–presentNorth AmericaUSPontiac, MichiganEnglish
BLKD 2010–presentAsiaPhilippinesNaic, CaviteFilipino
Blood of Abraham 1993–2000North AmericaUSLos Angeles, CaliforniaEnglish
Blue Scholars 2002–presentNorth AmericaUSSeattle, WashingtonEnglish
Boogie Down Productions 1985–1992North AmericaUSSouth Bronx, New YorkEnglish
Braintax 1990–2008EuropeUKLeeds, West YorkshireEnglish
Brother Ali 1998–presentNorth AmericaUSMinneapolis, MinnesotaEnglish
Bryson Gray 2019–presentNorth AmericaUSHigh Point, North CarolinaEnglish
Corporate Avenger 1998–2005North AmericaUSHuntington Beach, CaliforniaEnglishPolitics, knowledge, spirituality
Chance the Rapper 2012–presentNorth AmericaUSChicago, IllinoisEnglish
Common 1991–presentNorth AmericaUSChicago, IllinoisEnglish
Common Market 2005–2009North AmericaUSSeattle, WashingtonEnglish
Cupcakke 2012–presentNorth AmericaUSChicago, IllinoisEnglishRacism, LGBT, sexism, feminism
The Coup [3] 1991–PresentNorth AmericaUSOakland, CaliforniaEnglish
Capital STEEZ 2009–2012North AmericaUSBrooklyn, New York City, New YorkEnglish
Da Lench Mob 1989–1995North AmericaUSLos Angeles, CaliforniaEnglish
Dälek 1998–2011, 2015–presentNorth AmericaUSNewark, New JerseyEnglish
DAM 1999–presentAsiaIsraelLodArabic, English, HebrewIsraeli-Palestinian conflict, poverty
Dave 2016–presentEuropeUKStreatham, LondonEnglish
David Banner 1994–presentNorth AmericaUSJackson, MississippiEnglish
Dead Prez [4] 1996–presentNorth AmericaUSNew York, New YorkEnglishSystemic racism, misogyny, prison industry, poverty, crime, education, health
Deep Dickollective 2000–2008North AmericaUSSan Francisco, CaliforniaEnglishLGBT
Denzel Curry 2011–presentNorth AmericaUSCarol City, FloridaEnglish
Diabolic [5] [ failed verification ]2003–presentNorth AmericaUSHuntington Station, New YorkEnglish
Diamondog 1998–presentAfricaAngolaLuanda, LuandaPortuguese
The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy [6] 1990–1993North AmericaUSSan Francisco, CaliforniaEnglish
Dizzy Wright 2010–presentNorth AmericaUSLas Vegas, NevadaEnglish
The Dope Poet Society [7] 1995–presentNorth AmericaCanadaToronto, OntarioEnglishCriticism of right-wing politics, war, and racism.
Eminem 1988–presentNorth AmericaUSDetroit, MichiganEnglish
Eyedea 1993–2010North AmericaUSSaint Paul, MinnesotaEnglish
Flobots 2005–presentNorth AmericaUSDenver, ColoradoEnglish
Fyütch 2005–presentNorth AmericaUSNashville, TennesseeEnglish
Gil Scott-Heron 1969–2011North AmericaUSChicago, IllinoisEnglish
The Goats [5] [ failed verification ]
Greydon Square [8]
Hasan Salaam
The Herd 2001–presentAustraliaAustraliaSydney, New South WalesEnglish
Hichkas [9] [10] [11] AsiaIranTehranPersian
Hi-Rez 2001-presentNorth AmericaUSFloridaEnglishAnti-woke, patriotism, freedom of speech, anti political correctness, conspiracy theories
Hopsin North AmericaUSLos Angeles, CaliforniaEnglish
Hostyle Gospel
Ice Cube 1984–presentNorth AmericaUSCompton, CaliforniaEnglish
Ice-T [12] 1982–presentNorth AmericaUSLos Angeles, CaliforniaEnglishEspecially 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–presentNorth AmericaUSGlenwood Houses, Brooklyn, New YorkEnglish
Immortal Technique [13] 2000–presentNorth AmericaUSHarlem, New York, New YorkEnglishFar left activist - anti-capitalist, comments on systemic racism, pro Palestine, supports communism and has socialist values of class struggle, socialist revolution and the proletariat.
J. Cole 2007–presentNorth AmericaUSFayetteville, North CarolinaEnglish
Jay Electronica 1995–presentNorth AmericaUSNew Orleans, LouisianaEnglish
Jay Rock 2003–presentNorth AmericaUSLos Angeles, CaliforniaEnglish
Jedi Mind Tricks 1993–presentNorth AmericaUSPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaEnglish
Jehst 1998–presentEuropeUKLondon, Greater LondonEnglish
Joey Badass 2010–presentNorth AmericaUSNew York, New YorkEnglishSystemic racism, slavery, health
JPEGMafia 2016–presentNorth AmericaUSBaltimore , MarylandEnglishRacism, police brutality, criticisms of right-wing politics
Juba Kalamka 1988–presentNorth AmericaUSChicago, IllinoisEnglishLGBT Hip Hop
Kendrick Lamar 2004–presentNorth AmericaUSCompton, CaliforniaEnglishSystemic racism
Kanye West 1996–presentNorth AmericaUSChicago, IllinoisEnglishSee Views of Kanye West
Keny Arkana 1996–presentEuropeFrance Marseille French
Killer Mike 1995–presentNorth AmericaUSAtlanta, GeorgiaEnglish
K.I.Z 2000–presentEuropeGermany Berlin German Criticism of capitalism, Antifascism
Kneecap 2017-presentEuropeIrelandWest Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland Irish, English Irish republicanism
Kolateral 2019–presentAsiaPhilippinesManila, Metro ManilaFilipino, EnglishDrug War, Fascism, Poverty
KRS-One [14] 1985–presentNorth AmericaUSSouth Bronx, New York City, New YorkEnglishSystemic racism, education, police brutality
Kutt Calhoun 1993–presentNorth AmericaUSKansas City, MissouriEnglish
La Familia 1996–2011, 2017–presentEuropeRomaniaSălăjan, BucharestRomanian
Lauryn Hill 1989–presentNorth AmericaUSEast Orange, New JerseyEnglishSystemic racism, integrity
Lecrae 2004–presentSouth AmericaUSHouston, TexasEnglish
Little Simz 2010–presentEuropeUKIslington, London, Greater LondonEnglish
Logic 2010–2020, 2021–presentNorth AmericaUSGaithersburg, MarylandEnglishSuicide Awareness and prevention
Looptroop Rockers EuropeSwedenEnglish
The Lost Children of Babylon [15] [16]
Lowkey 2001–2012, 2016–presentEuropeUKLondon, Greater LondonEnglish
Lupe Fiasco 2000–presentNorth AmericaUSChicago, IllinoisEnglish
Macklemore 2000–presentNorth AmericaUSSeattle, WashingtonEnglish
Manny Phesto 2010–presentNorth AmericaUSMinneapolis, MinnesotaEnglish
Manu Militari
Marlon Craft 2015–presentNorth AmericaUSNew York, New YorkEnglish
M.I.A. 2000–presentEuropeUKHounslow, London, Greater LondonEnglish
Michael Franti 1986–presentNorth AmericaUSSan Francisco, CaliforniaEnglish
Mr. Lif [17]
Mos Def [18] 1994–presentNorth AmericaUSBrooklyn, New YorkEnglishSystemic racism, police brutality, corporate greed, violence, Islamophobia, torture, sexual violence, murder, slavery, education, integrity
Narcy
Nas 1991–presentNorth AmericaUSQueens, NYC, New YorkEnglishSystemic racism, education
N.W.A.1987–1991, 1999–2001, 2015–2016North AmericaUSCompton, CAEnglishRacism, institutional racism, excessive policing
Nipsey Hussle 2005–2019North AmericaUSLos Angeles, CaliforniaEnglishAnti-Trump
Noname North AmericaUSChicago, IllinoisEnglish
Olmeca North AmericaUSLos Angeles, CaliforniaEnglish, Spanish
Paraziții 1995–presentEuropeRomaniaRomanianpolitical humor
Paris [19] 1989–presentNorth AmericaUSOakland, CaliforniaEnglish
The Perceptionists [20]
Poor Righteous Teachers Systemic racism, crime and violence, education, integrity
Promoe EuropeSwedenEnglish, Swedish
Psycho Realm
Public Enemy [21] 1982–presentNorth AmericaUSLong Island, New YorkEnglishSystemic racism, slavery
Rage Against the Machine (rap metal)1991–2000, 2007–2011North AmericaUSLos Angeles, CaliforniaEnglishSystemic racism, white supremacy, racism, hate crimes, murder, corporate and political greed, wealth inequality, poverty, antifascist
Ra Scion North AmericaUSEnglish
R.A. the Rugged Man North AmericaUSLawrence, MassachusettsEnglish
Ras Kass 1994–presentNorth AmericaUSLos Angeles, CaliforniaEnglish
Rebel Diaz [22]
Reconcile
Rockin' Squat 1985–presentEuropeFranceParis, Île-de-FranceFrench
The Roots 1987–presentNorth AmericaUSPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaEnglish
Run The Jewels 2013–presentNorth AmericaUSATL, GA / NYC, NYEnglish
Sabac Red North AmericaUSEnglish
Sage Francis 1996–presentNorth AmericaUSProvidence, Rhode IslandEnglish
Scarface 1988–presentSouth AmericaUSHouston, TexasEnglish
Shahin Najafi [23] [24]
slowthai 2015–presentEuropeUKAbington, NorthamptonshireEnglish
Sole North AmericaUSPortland, MaineEnglish
Street Academics 2009–presentAsiaIndiaKeralaMalayalam, English, Tamil
Street Sweeper Social Club English
Talib Kweli 1996–presentNorth AmericaUSBrooklyn, NYC, New YorkEnglishSystemic 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 1986–1988USEnglish
Toomaj Salehi 2006-2022Asia & EuropeIranGerd Bisheh, Chaharmaha and Bakhtiari, IranPersian
Tragedy Khadafi 1985–presentNorth AmericaUSQueens, NYC, New YorkEnglish
Tupac Shakur 1987–1996North AmericaUSHarlem, NYC, New YorkEnglishRacism, police brutality, misogyny, women's rights
The Visionaries
Saul Williams [25]
Urthboy 1998–presentAustraliaAustraliaSydneyEnglish
Valete 1997–presentEuropePortugalBenfica, LisbonPortuguese
Vic Mensa 2009–presentNorth AmericaUSChicago, IllinoisEnglish
Vince Staples 2008–presentNorth AmericaUSLong BeachEnglish
Vinnie Paz 1993–presentNorth AmericaUSPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaEnglish
X Clan 1989–1995, 2006–presentNorth AmericaUSHarlem, NYC, New YorkEnglish
Yama Buddha 2011-2017Asia & EuropeNepal & UKGhattekulo-32, Kathmandu & Ruislip, LondonEnglish, Nepali
NameYears activeContinentCountryOrigin (city, state)LanguageMain concerns

See also

References

  1. ↑ Political Rap. Allmusic. Accessed July 2, 2008.
  2. ↑ Bogdanov et al. 2003, p. 563
  3. ↑ "Artists Biography". Archived from the original on March 25, 2003.
  4. ↑ "M1 of the Radical Hip Hop Duo Dead Prez Talks About Black Music and Politics". Democracy Now!.
  5. 1 2 "Rolling Stone reviews". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on September 18, 2008.
  6. ↑ "VH1 Artist Bio". Archived from the original on November 30, 2002.
  7. ↑ Now Magazine, Hipolitics Review Archived 2007-09-26 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ "Greydon Square interview". Archived from the original on 2014-09-28. Retrieved 2013-08-23.
  9. ↑ "Iran's underground music challenge". BBC News. 8 May 2006.
  10. ↑ "Wamc: : HichKas (2008-10-14)".
  11. ↑ "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah". Comedy Central. Archived from the original on August 18, 2015.
  12. ↑ Ice-T blinks, Robert Christgau, Village Voice, 11 August 1992
  13. ↑ Heinzelman, Bill. "Political Hip-Hop Artists". UGO. Archived from the original on 2012-07-03. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
  14. ↑ . 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)
  15. ↑ "Hip Hop RnB Soul review". Archived from the original on 2016-01-28. Retrieved 2014-01-03.
  16. ↑ Darlington, Andy. "MARXMAN". Hotpress.
  17. ↑ "MTV Mr. Lif profile". MTV . Archived from the original on November 16, 2006.
  18. ↑ "New Music Videos, Reality TV Shows, Celebrity News, Pop Culture". MTV. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012.
  19. ↑ "New Music Videos, Reality TV Shows, Celebrity News, Pop Culture". MTV. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012.
  20. ↑ "San Francisco Bay Guardian | Looking for a Guardian article?".
  21. ↑ "100 Greatest Artists". Rolling Stone. December 3, 2010.
  22. ↑ Diego Graglia (August 15, 2007). "Political Hip Hop at SOBSs". New York Daily News . Retrieved 2008-12-21.
  23. ↑ "HipHop show in Berlin, in solidarity with the protest movement in Iran". Payvand Iran News. NetNative. 18 July 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2009.
  24. ↑ "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.
  25. ↑ "Music News & Concert Reviews". JamBase. March 15, 2015.
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