Where the heck is the poltical anger in black urban music?

[henslee]

Sure, Kanye West's remark was heard 'round the world. And the talented and wonderful Jean Wyclef is always on message. But really, I'm shocked at how silent black urban artists are regarding Bush Admin. and the state of things especially with his 2% approval ratings among blacks and the plight of Katrina victims. Sure there's the fashionable offhanded crowdpleasing remark by a rapper But I where's the groundswell of message music? The "new" wave of protest music to rival 60's protest music? It seems like such a blown opportunity. Where is the new Gil Scott Heron? The "black" Steve Earle? The American Marley? Is Puff Diddy all we have? With his procative care infomercials and cigar smoking w/Trump -- he's more of a freak than Michal Jackson.

[msongs]

1. look at the lyrical content to see what "sells" and what does not

that tells you what its all about art and sales wise.

Msongs
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[verse18]

3. Black artists

are happy making money from the explotation of their own people. That's why I don't listen to any of the current rap artists because they don't have shit worthwhile to say.

Kanye West made a statement on tv about Bush and black people, but what is he saying now? Where was the outrage before Katrina? Very sad.

[lildreamer316]

35. Kanye

has spoken out about other issues before, and I will not say that he hasn't said anything about politics because I have only heard 2 songs by him. However, his first song did it for me anyway,("Diamonds Are Forever") because it is about diamonds and the slave trade, which I am very adamant about. I am very disappointed in the black artist community for not adressing this issue. There is a slave trade in South African mines using black tribal South Americans of all ages(Children as young as 3), and mutilation is common for those who do not cooperate with the owners. How popular artists such as P Diddy and others can keep talking about "bling" and have DIAMOND ENCRUSTED IPODS is just beyond me. It is so hypocritical. Not that I should be throwing stones, I am just saying.....it makes no sense. Kanye has, as far as I know, been consistantly issue oriented, if not on this particular issue (Administration). Kudos to him........

[lildreamer316]

37. Edit

the song is Diamonds from Sierra Leone.

[K-W]

15. And remember that the industry has alot of say in who sells.

The record companies, the radio stations, the stores, MTV, BET...

The industry reacts to consumer demand, but it also shapes consumer demand.

[hellbound-liberal]

29. I assume you know about Dead Prez? Here's a short bio..

<snip>

Dead Prez is one of the most radical hip-hop groups out there. Their debut album, Let's Get Free, protests against so many things that, when writing about their protest songs, it's hard to decide where to start. But MCs Stic Man and M-1 know where they'd start: with a revolution. Stic once told Redeye magazine, "A lot of people say gangs are negative, I say the gangs are soldiers. We just gotta marry the potential that the gangs have with the political struggle of African people. We gotta figure out how to be constructive with that energy." The song "Police State" echoes this idea, brings in an element of socialist theory, and names some of the things that Dead Prez want to revolt against: "Organize the hood under I Ching banners/Red, Black and Green instead of gang bandannas/FBI spying on us through radio antennas/And them hidden cameras in the streetlight watching society/With no respect for people's right to privacy…I'm sick of working for crumbs and filling up prisons/Dying over money and relying on religion for help/We do for self like ants in a colony/Organize the wealth into a socialist economy/A way of life based on common need."

In "Assassination," Dead Prez succinctly state their case for why they feel Black people won't get fair treatment without revolution: "The violence in me/ reflect the violence that surround me/A truth that's riling…And you can put this on the government's grave/Somebody payin for the way we have to suffer and slave."

M-1 also takes a shot at the record industry in the song "(It's Bigger Than) Hip-Hop." He claims the labels treat hip-hop as nothing more than a commodity, saying, "These record labels slang our tapes like dope/You could be next in line and sign/Then rhyme and you're broke." Because this arrangement isn't going to get the people anywhere, M-1 tries to prod his fellow MCs to action by asking, "Would you rather have a Lexus or justice? A dream or some substance?"

<snip>

[BlackVelvetElvis]

38. I got turned on to Dead Prez from Du'ers.

They were the first group I thought of when I saw this post. People need to give them a listen!

[linazelle]

32. Black artists aren't the only ones who've made political songs...

so why expect them to be the only ones to do it now? (Not directing this at you mssongs--but wanted to get this in at the top of the thread.)

[400Years]

2. It's right here, ignoring it doesn't mean it doesn't exist

http://www.guerrillafunk.com/audio/paris/Sonic_Jihad/what_would_you_do.wav

Plus apparently Public Enemy is coming out with a new album
http://www.guerrillafunk.com/index.html

[Lethe]

4. once you are a part of the system, you cant speak out against it

they are making millions, why would they even say a word?

[Karenina]

5. Check out Michael Franti...

Spearhead
The Disposable Heroes of Hiphopcrisy

[400Years]

10. Here's a good one from Spearhead

http://www.spearheadvibrations.com/media/audio/bomb_the_world-armageddon.mp3

[henslee]

23. I am glad to hear this. Thanks for the heads ups, everyone.

[txaslftist]

6. Hip-hop actually IS destructive.

Not because it talks about sex, not because it talks about drugs, and not because it talks about violence.

It is destructive because it talks about money, and in the way it talks about money. Everything I see is about rolling around in a nice ride, sporting gold and flashing cash. "You gotta gimme my respect, because look at what I got." "Look at how fly my crib is" "Look at this Bentley" "Look at this mansion"...

Forget about the losers who don't have it. Forget about working for a living and the honor of that.

Shit, hip hoppers have become Republicans in gangsta drag.

[400Years]

9. that's cause you are listening to the wrong stuff

there's plenty of good stuff out there but they ain't gonna play that on the radio because it doesn't serve the corporate interest

[devilgrrl]

19. ding ding ding ding ding ding ding!!!!!

Exactly!!!!

[formernaderite]

40. man, my son tried that line on me too....

but Dad, you have to listen to the alternative stuff out there, not what's on the radio. We're talking about what most people listen to, not the music of 10 percent or less.
Please...Diddy and Russell have the means to make any type of music they want to produce. The fact is mainstream rap is misogynistic and shallow, with the dollar sign as the ultimate goal post for both the pimps and the bitches. I hate it, it's novelty should be over by now.

[Greyhound]

7. It is there, just not on the corporate labels and corporate airwaves. n/t

[southpaw]

8. You're missing the subtle messages

of social criticism and political activism hidden in hip-hop lyrics.
Just take a look at the lyrics of a current hit by hip-hop poets, Black Eyed Peas:


"My Humps"

What you gon’ do with all that junk?
All that junk inside your trunk?
I’ma get, get, get, get, you drunk,
Get you love drunk off my hump.
My hump, my hump, my hump, my hump, my hump,
My hump, my hump, my hump, my lovely little lumps. (Check it out)

I drive these brothers crazy,
I do it on the daily,
They treat me really nicely,
They buy me all these ice-ys.
Dolce & Gabbana,
Fendi and then Donna
Karan, they be sharin’
All their money got me wearin’
Fly gearrr but I ain’t askin,
They say they love my ass ‘n,
Seven Jeans, True Religion's,
I say no, but they keep givin’
So I keep on takin’
And no I ain’t taken
We can keep on datin’
I keep on demonstrating.

My love, my love, my love, my love
You love my lady lumps,
My hump, my hump, my hump,
My humps they got u,
She’s got me spending.
(Oh) Spendin’ all your money on me and spending time on me.
She’s got me spendin’.
(Oh) Spendin’ all your money on me, on me, on me

What you gon’ do with all that junk?
All that junk inside that trunk?
I’ma get, get, get, get, you drunk,
Get you love drunk off my hump.
What u gon’ do with all that ass?
All that ass inside them jeans?
I’m a make, make, make, make you scream
Make u scream, make you scream.
Cos of my hump, my hump, my hump, my hump.
My hump, my hump, my hump, my lovely lady lumps. (Check it out)

I met a girl down at the disco.
She said hey, hey, hey yea let’s go.
I could be your baby, you can be my honey
Lets spend time not money.
I mix your milk wit my cocoa puff,
Milky, milky cocoa,
Mix your milk with my cocoa puff, milky, milky riiiiiiight.

They say I’m really sexy,
The boys they wanna sex me.
They always standing next to me,
Always dancing next to me,
Tryin’ a feel my hump, hump.
Lookin’ at my lump, lump.
U can look but you can’t touch it,
If u touch it I’ma start some drama,
You don’t want no drama,
No, no drama, no, no, no, no drama
So don’t pull on my hand boy,
You ain’t my man, boy,
I’m just tryn’a dance boy,
And move my hump.

My hump, my hump, my hump, my hump,
My hump, my hump, my hump, my hump, my hump, my hump.
My lovely lady lumps
In the back and in the front.
My lovin’ got u,
She’s got me spendin’.
(Oh) Spendin’ all your money on me and spending time on me.
She’s got me spendin’.
(Oh) Spendin’ all your money on me, on me, on me.

What you gon’ do with all that junk?
All that junk inside that trunk?
I’ma get, get, get, get you drunk,
Get you love drunk off my hump.
What you gon’ do with all that ass?
All that ass inside them jeans?
I’ma make, make, make, make you scream
Make you scream, make you scream.
What you gon do with all that junk?
All that junk inside that trunk?
I’ma get, get, get, get you drunk,
Get you love drunk off this hump.
What you gon’ do wit all that breast?
All that breast inside that shirt?
I’ma make, make, make, make you work
Make you work, work, make you work.
She’s got me spendin’.
Spendin all your money on me and spendin’ time on me
She’s got me spendin’.
Spendin’ all your money on me, on me, on me.



I know it's difficult to see beyond the Miltonian complexity of such a work of art, but you'll be amazed when you peel back the layers and comprehend the true, socially conscious soul of hip-hop that is woven into the very fabric of such classics.

:sarcasm:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

16. Using mainstream hip-hop as an example is silly.

The Black Eyed Peas have as much to do with true hip-hop as Kenny G does with true jazz.

Check out current real hip-hop artists like Blackalicious, Lyrics Born, Kanye West, Jurassic 5, The Roots, etc. for actual lyrical content and deep social meaning.

The anti-hip-hop sentiment on DU is frustrating. You'd think there'd be more people open to positive, well-produced music that's not necessarily blanketing the airwaves.

[Solon]

26. True, but look at their song "Where is the love?"

plus the video is pretty good too.

What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Badness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Nigga, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With the ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'
in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' in the wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead in spreading love we spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send us some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)

[kiki]

11. Gil Scott Heron said:

"Hip hop began and ended with Public Enemy."

Obviously the statement is a little overblown, but it certainly seems true sometimes these days. Hip hop has never been terribly political; acts that are more political (post-Public Enemy) such as De La Soul and Hiphoprisy have tended to be seen as "outsiders".

[henslee]

24. Wow, I had no idea he said that. I hope Gil Scott is doing okay. Last

I heard he was in pretty bad shape. I caught him live about ten years ago supporting the indie label distributed "Sprits" album" which I really dig, especially the cuts Work for Peace" and "Don't you cry"



Lyrics to WORK FOR PEACE.... (snip)
by Gil Scott Heron

Back when Eisenhower was the President,
Golf courses was where most of his time was spent.
So I never really listened to what the President said,
Because in general I believed that the General was politically dead.

But he always seemed to know when the muscles were about to be flexed,
Because I remember him saying something, mumbling something about a Military Industrial Complex.
Americans no longer fight to keep their shores safe,
Just to keep the jobs going in the arms making workplace.
Then they pretend to be gripped by some sort of political reflex,
But all they're doing is paying dues to the Military Industrial Complex.

The Military and the Monetary,
The Military and the Monetary,
The Military and the Monetary.
The Military and the Monetary,
get together whenever they think its necessary,

They turn our brothers and sisters into mercenaries, they are turning the planet into a cemetery.
The Military and the Monetary, use the media as intermediaries,
they are determined to keep the citizens secondary, they make so many decisions that are arbitrary.....

[librechik]

12. can't hear you--tappin that ass

[Hard_Work]

13. New Public Enemy @ Best Buy NOW!!!

Public Enemy released "New Whirl Odor" exclusively to Bset Buy at the beginning of the month. A general release is expected the first week in November and will include a bonus DVD.

I posted about the artist Paris and his album 'Sonic Jihad' over a year ago. Paris has always been opposes to the BFEE, as his '90 release featured the song 'Bush Killa'.

Also at the same time that Paris released 'Sonic Jihad', Public Enemy released 'Revolverlution' which took aim squarely at the BFEE.

These are all must have releases, especially the 'Sonic Jihad' album.

All are in stores.

[Hard_Work]

14. Lyrics Public Enemy

Lyrics to the song 'Son of a Bush' 2002

Son Of A Bush

OH NO
STRUCK BY GREASED LIGHTNING
F--D BY THE SAME LAST NAME, YOU KNOW WHAT?
CHINA AINT NEVER GIVIN BACK THAT GOTTDAMN PLANE
MUST GOT THIS OL NATION TRAINED
ON SOME KENNEL RATION
REFRAIN
THE SAME TRAIN
FULLA COCAINE
FROZE THE BRAIN
HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN
I BEEN THRU THE FIRST TERM OF ROTTEN
THE FATHER ,THE SON
AND THE HOLY BUSH-IT WE ALL IN
DONT LOOK AT ME
I AINT CALLIN FOR NO ASSASSINATION
IM JUST SAYIN/ SAYIN WHO VOTED FOR THIS ASSHOLE OF THE NATION

DEJA BUSH
CRUSHED BY THE HEAD RUSH
15 YEARS BACK
WHEN I WROTE THE FIRST BUM RUSH
SAW YOU SALUTE
TO THE THEN
VICE PREZ
WHO DID WHAT RAYGUN SAID
AND THEN BECAME PREZ
HIMSELF WENT FOR DELF
KNEE DEEP IN HIS DAMN SELF
STUCK IN A 3 HEADED BUCKET
OF TRILATERAL BUSH-IT
SORRY AINT NO BETTER WAY OF PUTTIN IT
NOYOU CANNOT FREESTYLE THIS
CAUSE YO ASS STILL AINT FREE
IF I FIGHT FOR YALL
AND THEY GET ME
HOW MANY OF YALL
IS COMIN TO GET ME?
NONE
CAUSE ITS EASIER TO FORGET ME
AINT THAT A BUSH
SON OF A BUSH IS HERE
ALL UP IN YOUR ZONE
YOU AINT NEVER HEARD SO MUCH SOUL TO THE BONE
I TOLD YALL WHEN THE FIRST BUSH WAS TAPPIN MY PHONE
SPY VS SPY
CANT TRUSS EM
AS YOU SALUTE TO THE ILLUMINATI
TAKE YOUR ASS TO YOUR 1 MILLIONTH PARTY

Hes the son of a baaad
Hes The Son Of A Bad Man

verse 2
NOW HERES THE PITCH
HIGH AND INSIDE
CERTIFIED GENOCIDE

AINT THAT A BUSH REPEAT AINT THAT A BUSH

OUT OF NOWHERE
HEADED TO THE HOTHOUSE?
KILLED 135 AT THE LAST COUNT...TEXAS BOUNCE

CATS IN THE CAGE
GOT A GHOST OF A CHANCE
OF COMIN BACK
FROM YOUR WHACK ASS KILLIN MACHINE

SON OF A BUSH AINT THAT A SON OF A BUSH

CATS DOIN BIDS
FOR DOIN THE SAME BUSH SHIT THAT YOU DID

SERIAL KILLER KID UH SERIAL KILLER KID


Hes the son of a baaad
Hes The Son Of A Bad Man

verse 3
COKE IT’S THE REAL THING
USED TO MAKE YOU SWING
USED TO BE YOUR THING

DADDY HAD YOU UNDER HIS WING

BRINGIN KILOS TO FILL UP SILOS
YOU PROBABLY SNIFFED PILES
GOT INMATES IN TEXAS SCRUBBIN TILES

THAT SHIT IS WILD
CIA CHILD

All over a hardcore heavy metal beat. This song is angry. And when it was released, freepers invaded the PE website and much joy ensued. Seems the freepers expected to confront a bunch of uneducated kids, and were not ready for the level of political discourse they blundered into.

[walldude]

18. Beat me to it... PE is the shit!

[henslee]

28. Were the shit. About fifteen years ago. Their greatness is undeniable.

And I know they got a new LP coming out. But come on, they had moment. I'd be pleasantly suprised if new stuff surpasses prev. work. I will check Spearhead and other suggestions upthread. I'm familiar with some of them -- but I don't seek this stuff out like I used to. And to react to the posts that suggest the this music is out there, I have to look for it.... that is exactly my point. BLACK POLITICAL MUSIC is fringe music. And right now, it shouldn't be. Angry fucking black music should be booming from car stereos like Kurtis Blow's the Breaks was booming from every blaster in l980 and The Chronic was blasting from every stereo in 93(?)

[K-W]

17. It gets made, it doesnt get played on the radio, tv, hyped, etc

You have to venture into the world of underground hip-hop to find it most of the time, but it is there.

The corporate media doesnt give us an accurate picture of alot of things.

[leftofthedial]

20. all the blood is in the wrong head

in urban dance music

[KansDem]

21. Pop music is all about "shelf life" and moving product....

It has been since Elvis.

It's called "Rockzak" and it's "everywhere" without going "anywhere..."

[mvd]

22. No, it isn't ALL about it

Especially with artists like Elvis, who had lots of talent IMO.

As far as the topic goes, though, there are a lot of hip hop songs that protested the war. I'd like to see more demanding an end to it.

[McCamy Taylor]

25. You should have heard the Coup in DC, they are on Tour NOW

[Solon]

27. The problem is Clear Channel and the RIAA...

Artists are actually quite limited in many ways as to what is broadcast on the radio. Usually without that exposure, it only takes particularly offensive or different takes to even get a little airtime. The music is out there, but you have to search for it, it won't be handed to you on a platter. Hell, many of these same artists release the songs free on the internet, the Beastie Boys are an example, so is Public Enemy, Eminem is another, there are many more as well.

[NuttyFluffers]

30. stripped bare of meaning like all of american media.

seriously people, if you aren't tapped into the underground i have no clue what the hell you're doin'. corporate crap is just that, crap. i expect no miracles from dogshit, so why do expect miracles from corporate media?

please, it's out there, but it'll NEVER be represented in the mainstream until there's a coup d'etat of media conglomeration. period. and that's the end of that argument. first, last, and always. wanna fix it? crucify corporate media and never let it rise from the ashes again. that's the ONLY solution.

until that time you should only be listening to underground stuff, because that's where everything is happening. people who choose to only live on "the surface" aren't worth the piss to put them out if on fire. this applies to all future talks about "country, dance, rock, youth culture, poetry, novels, video games, etc." if you're still wasting your time trying to find meaning in best buy and wal*mart i can't help you.

[Aimah]

31. You won't hear political references in black urban music on the radio..

Try listening to:

Kanye West
Common aka Common Sense
Talib Kweli
Mos Def
K-Os
Dead Prez
Goodie Mob
The Roots

Most of those groups have a mix of light and protest music. I would suggest Dead Prez if you're looking for something heavy. The album Get Free or Die Trying would probably be what you're looking for.

[MrSlayer]

33. Lost amongst all the "Bling and Bitches".

Rap sold out faster than any other form of music.

[henslee]

34. "Lost among the bling and the bitches".... is a good lyric.

[politicasista]

36. Not all of them are silent

I know some independent artists were very vocal about the administration's pathetic and slow response to Hurricane Katrina.

[neebob]

39. It is here

http://www.immortal-technique.com

A sample, from 4th Branch:

<snip>
The voice of racism preaching the gospel is devilish
A fake church called the prophet Muhammad a terrorist
Forgetting God is not a religion, but a spiritual bond
And Jesus is the most quoted prophet in the Qu'ran
They bombed innocent people, tryin' to murder Saddam
When you gave him those chemical weapons to go to war with Iran
This is the information that they hold back from Peter Jennings
Cause Condoleeza Rice is just a new age Sally Hemmings
<snip>

http://www.lyrics007.com/Immortal%20Technique%20Lyrics.html

[JanMichael]

41. Check out Boots Riley and the Coup.

Mucho anger there.

[Nikki Stone 1]

42. How do you get hooked into underground music?

>