Can you recommend any socially conscious rap artists?
Asked by
podwarp (
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)
May 13th, 2011
I love rap/hip hop. I used to hate it growing up, but I had a roommate freshman year of college that listened to it all the time and after awhile… one day I just woke up and finally enjoyed the music.
I don’t really “seek out” rap or anything. I know like “classic” rap artists (Public Enemy, for example) and the current stuff like Eminem or Nikki Minaj… but I’d really like to listen to that style without all the bitches and hos talk. I know it exists.
Anyone, anyone? Bueller?
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It’s kind of a weird niche genre, but nerdcore rap/hip-hop is pretty awesome. It’s just basically rapping about being nerdy, or rapping about things pertaining to nerd culture.
If you’re interested, there’s a pretty cool fellow by the name of ytcracker who did an entire album using remixes of old video game music. There’s a free download of it here.
If not, check out MC Frontalot, he’s a great rapper and usually has pretty cool beats. He sometimes takes a more alt. rock approach to songs.
Google search Talib Kweli, Juggla (local artist based in NJ) and Common (he is a little more commercial now however) You would need to connect with the NY Underground scene. Hope this helped.
Ok Immortal technique is not into all that “bitches, hos and bling” you talk about but the lyrics although extremely provocative and violent and often pro-socialist and profound and intelligent.
He usually raps about socio economic injustices, political corruption and of course racism.
He is lyrically highly intelligent but be warned his music is powerful and often very dark.
download
He has in fact turned down several multi million dollar record agreements in order to remain independent and non hypocritical.
K-os. Zambony is a very socially conscious and emotional song. Good hip-hop.
actually the link i gave you may not be the best album to start on Revolutionary Vol.2 is a better introduction
Sage Francis
Jurassic 5
Lupe Fiasco
Aesop Rock
Atmosphere
Blue Scholars
Buck 65
Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip
El-P
Non-Prophets
I could go on. I love hip-hop but loath the nigger bitch bling crap. There is tons of super smart hip-hop. And some super silly stuff.
Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip
The classic De La Soul
Sage Francis (echoing @johnpowell)
Mos Def
Talib Kweli
The Roots
Cage
The Streets
I’d start with those, and @johnpowell‘s list.
Mos def also has a very ecclectic sound and no mention of “the hoes” or the bling. :) I will check some of the artists listed above myself. Thanks for the post.
I like Roots Manuva. He’s a UK rapper.
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