The Bad Boy/Roc-A-Fella run created a paradigm shift in hip hop away from overt protest or message music being the mainstream. While I think people who say that modern rap doesn’t have a message are too stubborn to look at the artist who “aren’t hip hop” because they’re really more caught up in the medium than the message. There is something to be said for having artists who’s aesthetic is militant or soulful. With the recent spate of racist incidents ticking up it’d be nice to have a modern day Chuck D who could articulate how people feel in three minutes over some excellent production. Since there’s no longer a mass media market for it though we’re stuck with Bruce Springsteen making the most overt modern protest music as No Trivia has pointed out.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – The Message
The beginning of message music and still a very strong contender for best rap song of all time. When I was in high school I relished telling people this was my favorite song. Listening now it’s a little long but still not overly preachy just an “it is what it is” type record. Given it’s status as first in the cut you’ve got to love it.
Public Enemy – Fight The Power
The pinnacle. This is why you don’t see a bunch of overtly militant artists running around making millions. The era, the artists, the aesthetic, and the voice of Chuck D makes everything about it pitch perfect. I’ve heard that people were clamoring for a solo Flava Flav album, if true that shows you how awesome Public Enemy was.
N.W.A. – Fxck The Police
The fact that the top comments under this video says R.I.P. Trayvon speaks to the salience over time that this track has. Changed the whole dynamic of message music and introduced a visceral and immediate menace. Personally I think I like Boosie’s version better but I’m from the South.
Goodie Mob – Cell Therapy
Almost went with Outkast here but forget all that. Goodie Mob was more overtly political and they did it better. The creepy vibe of the song, how it lurches along and creates a sense of suffocation relays the vibe of feeling like you’re stuck with no outlets quite well. This that grad school rap.
2Pac – Changes
2Pac was the last rapper who could credibly and overtly appeal as a political rapper, gangsta rapper, and a ladies man. He was like the master code as far as rap goes. It seems like 2Pac’s influence has waned as of late with everyone kind of reaching for that too cool Biggie/Jay-Z archetype. I understand coming off as super passionate without connecting only makes you look corny. For all the people who complain loudly about 2Pac not being a lyrical dynamo you’re missing the whole point. Different strokes for different folks.
Eminem – Mosh
For an artist who is surrounded by a constant debate about whether he’s overrated Eminem’s political songs are consistently underrated. “Mosh” released during the height of Bush Derangement Syndrome before his re-election is Em’s most overtly political song. I remember seeing an interview where he said he wished he could’ve released the track sooner in hopes to motivate people to get out and vote against Bush. The belief that this song could do that is naive and so hip hop.
Dead Prez – Hip Hop
This is firmly in the underground crunchy milieu. People wonder why Dead Prez didn’t blow up but they’re anti-capitalists so that’s stupid. Track has great energy and makes you want to run out and smack someone. It’s unfortunate that there’s this dynamic in rap that makes people who love Dead Prez constantly rail against all the “bs fake hip hop” in the “industry” it’s off-putting.
Killer Mike x Ice Cube – Pressure
The best example of overtly political rap that’s been released lately in my opinion. The X quote at the beginning, the riot footage during the video all kind of hint at the fact that America is past this overtly revolutionary phase but it doesn’t really matter because stuff is still messed up. Killer Mike is the exemplar of message music rap right now.
Bonus:
Lil Wayne – Georgia…Bush
Cause I’m a Wayne fan and I still think this is the best song about Katrina.
