18 Political Moments In Hip-Hop From The Past Decade
A few weeks ago, XXL sat down with Freshmen Class of 2013 alum Trinidad Jame$ to discuss the impact of his music, during which he assessed that conscious hip-hop is no longer viable option in the music business. Although Jame$'s comments are geared towards his music's influence on rap's growing "Molly" subculture, the statement got XXL's editorial staff thinking: is conscious, politically-minded hip-hop really extinct?
Using the past decade—2003 to 2013—as a time frame, XXL decided to explore 18 significant political moments in modern hip-hop—from Kanye West's post-Katrina rant, to Immortal Technique's single "Bin Laden."
Young Jeezy Releases "My President"
Year: 2008
In the months leading up to President Barack Obama's election in 2008, Young Jeezy transformed from the kilo-slanging Snowman into the political spokesperson for the streets. His single "My President" became the unofficial hip-hop banner of Obama's election, and proved effective enough to raise the ire of FOX News pundit Bill O'Reilly. Jeezy swiftly checked O'Reilly's criticisms on the Jay-Z assisted remix, calling him a "a racist asshole in a nice tie."
Kanye West Says "George Bush Doesn't Care About Black People"
Year: 2005
One of Kanye West's most infamous media outbursts came in 2005 when during a live telethon for Hurricane Katrina, the Chicago rapper said, "George Bush doesn't care about Black people." Although Yeezy later said he regretted calling President Bush racist, his statement summed up much of the public's frustrations with FEMA and the Bush administration's stilted response to the tragedy that killed and displaced thousands of New Orleans residents.
David Banner Defends Hip-Hop To Congress
Year: 2007
In the wake of radio personality Don Imus' comments that the Rutgers women's basketball team was comprised of "nappy-headed hoes," David Banner stepped up to the plate to defend hip-hop in Congressional hearing. The Mississippi rapper effectively silenced rap's Congressional detractors, eloquently detailing how hip-hop reflects larger systemic social issues like poverty and crime by saying, "hip-hop is sick because America is sick."
Immortal Technique, Lupe Fiasco And More Voice Support Of Occupy Wall Street
Year: 2011
Hip-hop answered the call issued by thousands of Americans who convened on New York's Zuccotti Park for Occupy Wall Street—a protest against financial inequity in the United States and the influence of "big business" on government policies. MCs Lupe Fiasco and Immortal Technique notably joined protesters in person at the event, with the latter saying, "We’re tired of listening to the same old lies, and at some point the people of this country will stop being pacified, will stop being placated.”
Common Attacked Over White House Invitation
Year: 2011
Race and hip-hop came to a head in 2011 when conservative commentators lambasted the White House for inviting rapper Common—who FOX pundit and former Bush administration advisor Karl Rove described as a "thug" and a "misogynist"—to a slam poetry event. Although Common largely stayed out of the media fracas, the controversy brought up questions of FOX's racial bias when The Daily Show host Jon Stewart called out Bill O'Reilly for supporting gun-toting rock acts like Ted Nugent but decrying the Chicago rapper.
Jay-Z Backs President Obama's Support Of Gay Marriage
Year: 2012
Jay-Z has a long history of supporting President Obama—he's performed at multiple rally events and even hosted a fundraiser for the 44th President—but one of Jay's most political moments came last year when he backed Obama's stance on same-sex marriage. In an interview with CNN, Hov compared the issue to the Civil Rights movement in the 1960's, saying, "What people do in their own homes is their business and you can choose to love whoever you love. That's their business. [It] is no different than discriminating against blacks."
Diddy's Vote Or Die! Campaign
Year: 2004
In the months leading up to the 2004 Presidential election between Senator John Kerry and the incumbent President George W. Bush, Diddy began his iconic Vote Or Die! campaigin to raise awareness about the political process for young people. Although the campaign was lampooned for its hyperbolic slogan in the subsequent years, it was one of the most memorable instances in recent years in which the hip-hop community actively sought to engage listeners on a political level.
Wyclef Jean's Presidential Bid In Haiti
Year: 2010
Although his charitable efforts in Haiti are well documented, Wyclef Jean sought to step into the political arena when he attempted to run for President of Haiti in 2010. His presidential bid was ultimately short-lived after he was deemed ineligible to run given that he had not lived in Haiti for the required five years prior to the election. Still, 'Clef solified his political presence in his native country, saying, "I know Haiti can become great with the right leadership, and I believe I could be that leader."
Eminem Inspires Secret Service Scrutiny Over "We As Americans"
Year: 2003
Ever the lightning rod for controversy, Eminem was investigated by the Secret Service after he rapped, "I don’t rap for dead Presidents/I’d rather see the President dead/It’s never been said, but I set precedents” on 2003's "We As Americans." Although the lyric did prompt a Secret Service investigation as to whether the lyric was a death threat against President Bush, it was soon dropped. Em followed up the track a year later with "Mosh," which urged fans to vote Bush out of office.
KRS-One Says He "Cheered" For 9/11 Attacks
Year: 2004
In one of more his radical moments, KRS-One came under fire for saying that he "cheered when 9/11 happened" at a panel discussion for The New Yorker. After taking criticism from New York Daily News and other publications, the legendary Bronx rapper later clarified his comment, saying that although he was saddened by the loss of life in the tragedy, he felt sense of justice to witness the American political establishment look vulnerable after years of racial profiling and abuse.
Lil Wayne Condemns President Bush On "Georgia...Bush"
Year: 2006
Lil Wayne took on the Bush administration in 2006 over its failed efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Similar to Kanye West's aforementioned public outburst, Weezy decried FEMA's response to the hurricane and its apparent lack of preparation, questioning "What happened to the levies, why wasn't they steady?/Why wasn't they able to control this?" However, it's the song's hook that got fans talking the most, as Lil Wayne threw a special level of shade at Bush by dubbing him "Georgia."
Killer Mike Blasts Ronald Reagan On "Reagan"
Year: 2012
Killer Mike's no stranger to controversial political discourse—the Atlanta veteran has become of hip-hop's last remaining vestiges of conscious-minded gangsta rap. However, it is Mike's collaborative song with El-P "Reagan" that stands out as a crowning achievement of modern political hip-hop, as Mike expounds upon the Reagan administration's corrupt policies. While Mike offers more than damning evidence against Reagan throughout the track, it's his last four words—"I'm glad Reagan's dead"—that make the song so powerful.
Rhymefest Runs For Alderman In Chicago
Year: 2010-2011
Around the same time as Wyclef Jean announced his intent to run for president of Haiti, Chicago' own Rhymefest revealed that he was running to become Chi-Town's 20th Ward Alderman. Fest's campaign proved fairly successful, as prospective polls showed he was the second leading candidate for the position and even earned a endorsement form Rev. Al Sharpton. Despite this, Rhymefest lost the race to the incumbent Willie Cochran by a voter margin of 10%.
Lupe Fiasco Calls President Obama "The Biggest Terrorist"
Year: 2012
Lupe Fiasco found himself embroiled in a major controversy last year when he said that President Obama is "a great speaker, but kills little children." The Chicago rapper—who famously endorsed Hilary Clinton in her 2008 Presidential election bid—clarified his statement, indicating that he thinks that the government is engaging in acts of terrorism with its heavy use of umaned drone strikes. "The biggest terrorist’s in the United States is Barack Obama and the United States government," he told Chicago's WGCI.
Immortal Technique Releases "Bin Laden" With Mos Def
Year: 2005
Immortal Technique's 2005 Mos Def-assisted song "Bin Laden" stands out as one of his most pointed criticisms of the Bush administration, as the Harlem rhymer details the American government's association with Osama bin Laden. Although many critics attacked Tech for the song's chorus—which features a sample of Jadakiss saying "Bush knocked down the Towers"—Tech explained that the song was meant to explore documented the government's documented history with bin Laden, not fuel the fire of conspiracy theorists.
Jadakiss Accuses Bush Administration Of 9/11 Attacks
Year: 2004
Al Queda Jada came after the Bush administration in 2004 on his single "Why," posing the question, "Why did Bush knock down the Towers?" Seemingly echoing KRS-One's sentiments towards the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers, Jada said that he wanted to put forth the question of the government's involvement in the attacks. Even though the single was certified Gold by the RIAA, many radio stations baned the song for its 9/11 reference, and Bill O'Reilly proposed that President Bush should be allowed to sue the LOX alum for slander.
Nas Names Ninth Album N*gger
Year: 2007
Nasty Nas caught the world of hip-hop by storm in 2007 when he announced that his ninth album would be titled Nigger—a statement on the racial climate in America and the ongoing debate over hip-hop artists' use of the word in music. Although many fellow MCs supported Nas' controversial album title, the QB legend was met with criticism from social figures like Al Shaprton and Jesse Jackson. The title was eventually changed to Untitled, but Nas shrugged off the loss and said, "People will always know what the real title of this album is."
President Obama Brushes The Dirt Off His Shoulders
Year: 2008
Barack Obama reciprocated the supporte he had received from the world of hip-hop in 2008 during a campaign rally when he channeled he inner Hova. While responding to a question about rival Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's attacks, the then-Presidential hopeful said, “When you’re running for President, you’ve got to expect it; you’ve just kinda got to let it..."—at which point he brushed the dirt off his shoulders, mimicking Jay-Z's hit single.