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]
![]() | This section possibly contains original research .(June 2021) |
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 | ||
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 |
Christopher George Latore Wallace, better known by his stage names The Notorious B.I.G. or Biggie Smalls, was an American rapper. Rooted in East Coast hip hop and particularly gangsta rap, he is widely considered to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Wallace became known for his distinctive laid-back lyrical delivery, offsetting the lyrics' often grim content.
Michael Kenji Shinoda is an American musician, songwriter, rapper, singer, record producer and graphic designer. He co-founded the rock band Linkin Park in 1996 and is the band's co-lead vocalist, as well as rhythm guitarist, keyboardist, primary songwriter and producer. Shinoda later created a hip-hop-driven side project, Fort Minor, in 2004. He has also served as a producer for tracks and albums by artists such as Lupe Fiasco, Styles of Beyond, and the X-Ecutioners.
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, known professionally as Nas, is an American rapper. Rooted in East Coast hip hop, he is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. The son of jazz musician Olu Dara, Nas began his musical career in 1989 under the moniker "Nasty Nas", and recorded demos under the wing of fellow East Coast rapper Large Professor. Nas first guest appeared on his group, Main Source's 1991 song "Live at the Barbeque".
Fugees are an American hip hop trio formed in 1990 in South Orange, New Jersey. Deriving its name from a shortening of the word "refugees", the group consists of Wyclef Jean, Pras Michel, and Lauryn Hill. The group rose to prominence in the mid-1990s for their pioneering blend of reggae, R&B, funk and hip hop, which eschewed gangsta rap and made them one of the most significant alternative hip hop acts. They occasionally rapped in Haitian Creole, and were one of the first hip hop bands to incorporate live instrumentation during their performances, along with the Roots.
Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., known professionally as Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. He is regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, and is often mentioned among the greatest rappers of all time. He was signed by American rapper Birdman to his record label Cash Money Records at age eleven, becoming its youngest member. In the following years, he emerged as the flagship artist of Cash Money Records before ending his association with the imprint in June 2018.
The Chronic is the debut studio album by American rapper and record producer Dr. Dre. It was released on December 15, 1992, by his record label Death Row Records along with Interscope Records and distributed by Priority Records. Recording sessions took place in Death Row Studios in Los Angeles and at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood.
Nathaniel Thomas Wilson, better known by his stage name Kool G Rap, is an American rapper. He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the group Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and as a member of the Juice Crew. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential and skilled MCs of all time, and a pioneer of mafioso rap/street/hardcore content and multisyllabic rhyming. On his album The Giancana Story, he stated that the "G" in his name stands for "Giancana", but on other occasions he has stated that it stands for "Genius".
Ye is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. One of the most prominent figures in hip hop, he is known for his varying musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After dropping out of college to pursue a career in music, West began producing for regional artists in the Chicago area. As an in-house producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, he co-produced albums including Jay-Z's The Blueprint (2001) before signing with the label as a recording artist. West's debut studio album, The College Dropout (2004), was met with critical acclaim and yielded the Billboard Hot 100-number one single "Slow Jamz". He peaked the chart on four other occasions with the singles "Gold Digger" (2005), "Stronger" (2007), "E.T.", and "Carnival" (2024).
Hip Hop Is Dead is the eighth studio album by American rapper Nas, released December 19, 2006, on Def Jam Recordings. His first album for the label, it was co-financed by Nas's previous label, Columbia Records, which once distributed for Def Jam. The album's title was inspired by Nas's view of the music industry and the state of hip hop music at the time. The album features appearances from Nas's then-wife Kelis, Def Jam label-mates Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Chrisette Michele, as well as will.i.am, Snoop Dogg, and The Game, among others.
Marshall Bruce Mathers III, known professionally as Eminem, is an American rapper. He is credited with popularizing hip hop in Middle America and is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. His global success is considered to have broken racial barriers to the acceptance of white rappers in popular music. While much of his transgressive work during the late 1990s and early 2000s made him a controversial figure, he came to be a representation of popular angst of the American underclass and has been cited as influencing many musical artists. His best-known songs include "My Name Is", "The Real Slim Shady", "The Way I Am", "Stan", "Without Me", "Lose Yourself", "Mockingbird", "Not Afraid", and "Love the Way You Lie".
Arabic hip-hop is a segment of hip hop music performed in the Arabic-speaking world. Due to variety of dialects and local genres which exist in the localities, Arabic hip-hop music may appear very diverse depending on the country of the song. Like most artists of the genre, the hip-hop artists from the Arabic-speaking world are highly influenced by American hip-hop.
Iranian hip hop, also known as Persian hip hop, refers to hip hop music in the Persian language developed in Iran and the Iranian diaspora. It originated from American hip hop culture, but has developed into a distinct rap style that draws on Iranian cultural concepts and engages with the modern issues Iranians are facing today.
Cameron Jibril Thomaz, better known by his stage name Wiz Khalifa, is an American rapper based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He signed with local independent label Rostrum Records to release his debut studio album, Show and Prove (2006). His contract entered a short-lived joint venture with Warner Bros. Records the following year. His Eurodance-influenced 2008 single, "Say Yeah" received urban radio airplay and entered both the Rhythmic Top 40 and Hot Rap Songs charts, becoming his first minor hit.
"Us Placers" is the debut song by American supergroup Child Rebel Soldier, a musical collaboration consisting of American hip-hop artists Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, and Pharrell Williams. It was released as the third song on the track-listing of West's 2007 mixtape Can't Tell Me Nothing. The song was produced by Fiasco and samples the 2006 song "The Eraser" by Thom Yorke. In "Us Placers," the trio speaks on the entrapments of fame. Having been released on a free mixtape, the song did not enter the charts but became an online hit and received strong reviews from music critics.
"A Milli", abbreviated occasionally as "Milli", is a song by American rapper Lil Wayne. The song was released April 23, 2008, as the second official single from his sixth album Tha Carter III.
808s & Heartbreak is the fourth studio album by the American rapper Kanye West. It was released by Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records on November 24, 2008, having been recorded earlier that year in September and October at Glenwood Studios in Burbank, California and Avex Recording Studio in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dominating its production, West was assisted by fellow producers No I.D., Plain Pat, Jeff Bhasker, and Mr Hudson, while also utilizing guest vocalists for some tracks, including Kid Cudi, Young Jeezy, and Lil Wayne.
Priceless is the fourth studio album by American rapper Birdman. The album was released on November 23, 2009, by Cash Money Records and Universal Motown Records. Producers included I.N.F.O., Oddz N Endz, Timbaland, Drumma Boy, T-Minus, and Infamous.
Mac & Devin Go to High School is the collaborative soundtrack to the film of the same name, by American rappers and film stars Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa. It was released on December 13, 2011, by Atlantic Records. The album features guest appearances from Bruno Mars, Juicy J, Curren$y and Mike Posner. The album is supported by the lone hit single, "Young, Wild & Free". The album received positive reviews from music critics, who praised Snoop's and Khalifa's technical rapping abilities and production choices. The soundtrack debuted at number 29 on the US Billboard 200, and has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Notorious: Music from and Inspired by the Original Motion Picture is the official soundtrack to the 2009 biopic film Notorious based on the life and death of rapper The Notorious B.I.G. It features mostly his previously heard songs, inclusively the ones harder to find such as "Party and Bullshit" and "One More Chance (Remix)". It includes two original songs "Brooklyn Go Hard" by Jay-Z and a tribute to the rapper by Jadakiss and widow Faith Evans called "Letter to B.I.G.", as well as three unreleased demos by him and a song with Christopher "CJ" Wallace Jr., his son. "Notorious Thugs", "Notorious B.I.G.", "One More Chance (Remix)", "Brooklyn Go Hard", "Kick in the Door", "What's Beef", "The World Is Filled...", "One More Chance / The Legacy Remix" and "Love No Ho" do not feature in the movie, but are included on the album.
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