Music and Politics - Hip Hop

Hip Hop

Racism and inequality are common themes in hip hop music. Sub-genres of hip hop centered around political messages have emerged, including political and conscious hip hop.

Rap artist Sean "P Diddy" Combs led "Vote or Die", a not-for-profit organization, arose the 2004 elections that was geared to draw more youthful voters into the polls. The "Vote or Die" campaign may have helped directly contribute to increased youth vote demographic (age 18-29) which saw an increase in participation to 20.9 million votes - up from 16.2 million in 2000. The overall turnout for the age group increased as well. 51 percent of citizens ages 18 to 29 voted in 2004. 42.3 percent voted in 2000.

Public Enemy was known for their politically charged lyrics, especially for their album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, and the song "Fight the Power". Frontman Chuck D is the main advocate for political awareness in the group.

Female rappers who write about experiences specific to their lives expand the dominant ideas of rap music and dominant notions of what it means to be an authentic rapper. Because their voices are considered a minority. They also bring to the forefront images of women with agency over their own bodies, sexuality, and lives, without constructing themselves as in opposition to male rappers, a stance that would alienate them from the hip hop community.

There are more male than female performers and listeners; women also identify with these male rappers on a number of different levels.

Brand Nubian, Immortal Technique, Dead Prez, and The Coup are all noted for their political views and lyrics.

To a certain extent, the emphasis of making money and the right to bear arms can be considered right-leaning stances, which are prevalent throughout hip hop, especially in gangsta rap, although these subjects are probably not meant to be political, but rather the artist bragging about his or her street credibility.

Tupac Shakur's debut album 2Pacalypse Now generated significant controversy stemming from then Vice President Dan Quayle's public criticism after a youth in Texas shot a state trooper and his defense attorney claimed he was influenced by the album and its strong theme of police brutality. Quayle made the statement, "There's no reason for a record like this to be released. It has no place in our society."