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By: Sydnee Walcott
Rap music is often looked down upon because of associations relating to drugs, nudity, and violence. Many often assume that rap music negatively influences individuals to become rebellious. However, not all rap songs perpetuate the aforementioned.
In the 1970s, the emergence of rap music transformed the block party scene. Many DJs were heavily involved with incorporating rap music to amp up the ambience. Songs were centered around funk, soul, and disco, which attracted large audiences.
DJs were involved with transforming the music scene to embody one that uplifted mood and promoted lively dances. A master of ceremonies would entertain the crowd and engage in rhyming and upbeat melodic tunes. The rap genre gained popularity after these efforts.
In 1979, rap music received commercial success and recognition. One of the songs that attracted listeners was the release of The Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight.” Rap music and its success grew rapidly with the release of Kurtis Blow’s “The Breaks.” This song provided listeners with an upbeat tune and catchy chorus to dance along to.
Starting off as music for parties and the disco scene, the genre took on a political scene during the 1980s. This was when Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five advocated on their platforms about civil unrest that heavily impacted people residing in inner-city areas.
In 1982, “The Message” became one of the first rap songs to be released that addressed societal issues involving poverty and socioeconomic disparities. This particular song paved the way for many upcoming artists such as Public Enemy, N.W.A, Tupac Shakur, and Kendrick Lamar to use their platforms to address political changes affecting communities.
This article outlines four groundbreaking rap songs that contain powerful social commentary messages to a wide variety of audiences.
Fight the Power – Public Enemy
One of Public Enemy’s most reputable songs encompasses supporting Black pride and calling out negative cases of cultural appropriation. The lyrics encourage listeners, younger ones in particular, to develop strength and stand up against racial discrimination, stereotypes, and economic inequality.
To match up to the song’s political critique, the music video was created in the style of a street protest, a form of collective action that activists normally engage in when taking a stand against social injustices and oppression.
At the request of Spike Lee, the group wrote the song for Lee’s film Do The Right Thing, a movie that addressed social and political inequalities. Originally, Lee encouraged Public Enemy to record a version of the spiritual “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” but their producer, Hank Shocklee had different management plans.
Shocklee had a vision to have the group record a song that would leave people blaring it while driving down Brooklyn.
U.N.I.T.Y – Queen Latifah
Misogyny is a distinct issue within the rap community that deserves more recognition. Women that have made significant contributions to the genre often get overlooked and have been placed at a disadvantage when achieving success.
Although the music industry excels through talent, female rappers seem to only receive praise for their contributions if they are portraying seductive, bold, and daring images.
In 1993, Queen Latifah addressed this issue with the release of her single “U.N.I.T.Y.”
Besides addressing the misogynist attitudes within rap culture, Queen Latifah addressed street harassment, domestic violence, and negative slurs targeting women. Although this song addresses these issues, many continue to remain an issue in society to this day.
Keep Ya Head Up – Tupac Shakur
Not only did he stand up for his beliefs, Tupac Shakur carried this optimistic and intuitive mindset into many of his songs.
Throughout history and into the present, Black women are often subjected to disrespect. What is problematic is how disrespect stems from Black men through neglect, a lack of protection, and colourism.
Released in 1993, “Keep Ya Head Up” is an ode to Black women in hopes that they remain strong when confronting emotional abuse. The song rightfully calls out Black men who mistreat Black women and allows them to realize women are the ones who bare life and provide a family for Black men.
The song also commemorates and pays tribute to Latasha Harlins, a 15-year-old Black girl who was shot arbitrarily and killed by Soon Ja Du. Du was a Korean store owner who wrongfully accused Harlins of stealing a bottle of orange juice, which spurred racial tensions.
Sound of da Police – KRS-One
The Black community and the law enforcement system have a complicated and unequal relationship. Challenges stem from an abuse of power enacted by the police. This abuse of power has led to heightened arbitrary arrests, fatalities, and acts of harassment and assaults targeted towards the Black community.
Throughout history, many individuals have protested for reforms to the law enforcement system and to provide awareness that Black lives matter. One way individuals have held the police accountable is through powerful, symbolic, and meaningful songs.
The 1993 single, “Sound of da Police,” by KRS-One is a popular song that addresses the root issues of police brutality and arbitrary arrests. The song begins with the sound of sirens — an alarming symbol to evoke fear and control over racialized communities.
What particularly stands out about this song is that it advocates on behalf of the Black youth and addresses the connections between police brutality and enslavement.
These four songs along with many others demonstrate that not all rap music perpetuates and promotes negative stereotypes. There are many different rap songs that can educate listeners on a variety of social and political issues.
Sydnee Walcott is a Copy / Contributing Editor for Black Voice. She is also a writer who likes to capture the essence when writing articles on a variety of topics.