KPR’s Top 10 Conscious/Intelligent Hip Hop Songs of 2011
2011 saw the rise of new artists with the propensity to speak truth like Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole. It also saw the rebirth of some classic intelligent rappers like Common with his December release of The Dreamer/The Believer. Below are Knowledge Power Respect’s picks for America’s best intelligent, thought-provoking tracks of 2011.
The judging was made both on the issues and messages of the songs as well as how pleasing it was to the ears. Feel free to let us know if we left something off or if we chose something that doesn’t deserve to be there. Happy new year.
1. Clap – Saigon
2. Lost Ones – J. Cole
3. The Show Goes On – Lupe Fiasco
4. Best I Can – Blitz the Ambassador
5. Nothing Without Providence – Mr. J. Medeiros
6. Break Down – J. Cole
7. The Believer – Common ft. John Legend
8. No Make-Up (Her Vice) – Kendrick Lamar ft. Colin
9. Live & Let Live – Statik Selektah ft. Lecrae
10. Cold Rain – Talib Kweli
Thoughts on Lupe calling Obama a terrorist
In the world of hip-hop, Lupe Fiasco is known as a bastion of intelligence and activism in a music industry that has been, using Lupe’s words, “dumbed down.” He recently made a statement during a CBS interview saying, “to me, the biggest terrorist is Obama in the United States of America.” He goes on to explain his view by saying that he does not support the current American political system. In his mind, Obama is a continuation of a flawed system in which voters are given limited choices and which continues to see war and the flexing of power as the solution to world and domestic problems. His comments do not seem directed at Obama as an individual, but at the president as the head of this system. His comments come on the heals of prominent, liberal academic, Cornel West’s, criticism of president Obama.
The question I ask is not whether Lupe is correct or if he is anti-American, but if statements like this are helpful to the greater conversation? Through the power of the media and with an established hip-hop career, Lupe had amassed a substantial listenership and therefore possesses a significant role in our public dialog. A society surely needs figures that question the status quo and are willing to make unconventional statements to the public. In doing this, they are asking the public to think deeper into a situation that is often not second-guessed. In this case the question is, “who are the real terrorists?” While there may be some interesting answers to this question, Lupe used the historically charged term “terrorist,” which precipitates a broad range of emotions. By couching his statement in these terms, he has definitely snatched the attention of many which may have been his intention. A large portion of our population will immediately dismiss his words as ignorant or hateful, some will consider his words and perhaps come to appreciate the view behind his the controversial statement. This was not the most tactful statement Lupe Fiasco has ever made, that is for sure, but perhaps we need public figures outside of the political system to bring in a different perspective and challenge the views of those not reached by traditional news channels.
Knowledge Power Respect 