I am a 80/90s hip hop fan, for a long time hip hop in my eyes has been dead, there have been the few sparks here and there over the past 20 years and the likes of KRS 1, Paris, Dead Prez, Guru (RIP), Public Enemy, Jeru etc. have kept it real with the message and essence of what hip hop represented in its prime, highlighting the race and wealth inequality in society and acting as a "Black CNN" talking directly to the people.
In the 80s and 90's the message was Fight the Power, and that's where I feel we have come full circle.
Check out Fight The Power 2020 on Public Enemies new album.
The calls for equality in a deeply polarised society couldn't be heard louder, on the right, division, hatred and the slow creep of fascism, not just in America but here in the UK and across Europe.
As George Carlin mentioned, America has owners, "huge corporations who control the media and the politicians, they own everything" its true and that's why the message is controlled to support the status quo, this is the end game of Capitalism.
Hip hop and graffiti art speaks for the people, some of the last vestiges of independent expression, hip hop can be fun and silly, I love loads of hip hop, Redman, Raekwon and Daz Dillinger are some of my all time favourites but deep down it represents a movement for change.
This year has been kind so far.
If your a fan, check out:
RTJ4
Public Enemy - when the grid goes down
Paris - Safe Space Invader
By all means add your own recommendations too.
For the record my favourite rapper is Tupac Shakur.
My favourite album is Death Certificate by Ice Cube.
I love most music and I'm not a hater of stuff I dislike, unless it's corporate soulless shit selling sex, consumerism and greed, especially if it's targeted at children. Specifically music videos should not be porn unless stated as such.
Peace Comrades :)