Rap Renegade: The New Millenium
Hip-hop and rap have always been inherently political genres, with music serving as a powerful tool to convey messages that society needs to hear. In recent years, there has been a growing number of modern rappers who are politically active, using their platforms to advocate for change and engage with public policy.
Joey Bada$$ is one such rapper, who at just 25 years old, is invested in the future of his country and community. His 2017 album, All-Amerikkkan Bada$$, is a powerful statement on the role of people in this country, and the responsibility artists have to uplift their fans and make them aware of what is going on in the world. Joey is a strong advocate for people being aware of what is happening in their communities and encouraging them to vote.
J.Cole's 2016 album, 4 Your Eyez Only, is a track-by-track journey of a Black man's experience growing up in America, from encountering ghetto violence at a young age to dealing with death and mortality. The album is a political commentary on race, prejudice, and inequality, with songs like 'Change' calling for action in urban, inner-city areas. J.Cole is also a big advocate for promoting talented artists and uses his rap collective, Dreamville, to connect people worldwide.
Noname, a female rapper from Chicago, is not afraid to speak her truth and uses her platform to teach her fans about the history of black discrimination and provide educational resources for them to learn. Her debut album, Room 25, is a political commentary on race, sex, identity, and the future of America. Noname is a fighter for racial and gender equality, and she is leading the fight in shedding light on the challenges of being a Black woman in America.
These rappers are just a few examples of the many modern rappers who are politically active and using their platforms to advocate for change. The deep division often highlighted in the mainstream media does not accurately display the way that rappers and politicians working together truly reflects the diversity of America. So let's continue to support and encourage politically active rappers, and don't forget to vote!
