The civil rights rapper has made it his or her business to enlighten the world on the continuing struggle of the Black American. Using the stage as a platform and the microphone as a tool to challenge racism, economic oppression, black pride and other social issues; these rapper are giving us a civil rights Q-Tip to clear out our ears and listen to ways that will improve our lives and our communities.
Hip Hop, the biggest influence on our generation today has several civil rights rappers among the bunch. The media does not give them a lot of bark like some of the other rappers that invoke violence, drugs and sexual content; but they have a lot of bite when it comes to activism. Most of the time they don’t hold marches or boycotts unless absolutely necessary; but through lectures, music, song and rap; some in the Hip Hop nation have been able to make a stand on many issues that need to be addressed.
Chuck D, a member of one of the most influential rap groups of the late 1980’s; Public Enemy; has been a voice of black awareness for over 15 years. Chuck D has made his listeners and audiences take a look at their surroundings and become conscious of the decaying of black power by our own black people. In other words, he keeps it real whether you like it or not.
Often quoting Dr. King and considering him a doer as well as a thinker, Chuck D himself is a force to be reckoned with in the political, cultural and social arena. With his voice that demonstrates strength and authority, he makes it quite clear on the direction in which he thinks the Hip Hop nation is heading
Political, cultural and spiritual awareness has been a central thought of Chuck D and other rappers such as Dead Prez, Mos Def, KRS-One, De La Soul and Kam; just to name a few. These rappers are still holding on to the valuable lessons of the civil rights movement. Even though many of our rappers have more money that they can shake a stick at; it seems that the bling-bling has blinded them from the positive or conscious Hip Hop that was once so popular and laid the foundation for the whole
Rap game. It seems that our new generation of rappers have given in to what some of white society thinks that we are as a race of people. The images that are seen by the public as a whole are not one of pride on behalf of the black community; but are images and actions that money has bought.
In the words of Chuck D,”I will not support nigga-ism or Negro-ism slavery by products”.