[View the story "The Stream community's top 15 political/social hip-hop songs ever" on Storify ]The Stream community's top 15 political/social hip-hop songs ever We asked our community to share their thoughts about hip-hop's best political/social songs, and this is what they told us. Storified by AJAMStream · Thu, Sep 19 2013 12:51:35
Curating a list of Top 15 Political/Social Hip-Hop Songs Ever for @AJAMStream show tonight with @THEKINGDMC, what tracks should I add?Julio Ricardo Varela
This is what you told us.
And I'll be first and say Fight the Power. Classic and good!facebook.com
Here it is, with a serious hat tip to actor Rosie Perez. (Explicit lyrics.) Best line: "Most of my heroes don't appear on no stamps."
The Greatest Opening Credits in Movie Historyirishace11
Before she was a Hollywood darling, Queen Latifah broke into hip-hop's male-dominated genre. In 1994, she released "U.N.I.T.Y." Best lines: " But don't you be calling out my name. I bring wrath to those who disrespect me like a dame."
Queen Latifah - U.N.I.T.Y.queenlatifahvevo
The Stream's co-host, Wajahat Ali, made sure he got his choice on the list. "The Choice is Yours" (1991) by Black Sheep. Best lines: "Engine engine number 9, party peoples feeling fine. If your life goes off the track. Pick it up, pick it up, pick it up."
@julito77 @AJAMStream @THEKINGDMC you must add Black Sheep - The Choice is YoursWajahat Ali
Black Sheep - The Choice Is Yoursblacksheepvevo
Another "must add" was Lauryn HIll with "Mr. Intentional," released in 2002.
Best lines: "Wake up you've been sleeping. Take up your bed and walk. Stop blaming other people. Oh it's nobody else's fault. Lauryn Hill - unplugged - Mr Intentionalsimplecense
Arrested Development's "Mr. Wendal" (1992) focused on the life of a homeless man. Best line: "Be strong, serve God only, know that if you do, beautiful heaven awaits."
Arrested Development - Mr. Wendalboynamedfuture
Many in our community told us that "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five had to be on the list. This [year] classic was one of the first hip-hop songs that spoke to the realities of urban life. (Explicit lyrics.) Best line: "It's like a jungle sometimes, it makes we wonder how I keep from goin' under."
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Messagevintagehiphopseattle
Several 2pac mentions were shared. "Changes," released posthumously in 1998, used a Bruce Hornsby sample to the challenges of life. (Explicit lyrics.) Best lines: "I see no changes, all I see is racist faces. Misplaced hate makes disgrace to races."
2pac - Changes (Official Video)simplyrapmusic
In 2007 Common released "The People." (Explicit lyrics.) Best lines: "And the struggle of the brothas and the folks. With lovers under dope, experiments to discover hopes."
Common - The Peoplecommonvevo
During the Bush years, several high-profile rappers released scathing critiques of the president. Here is the 2005 song, "Georgia Bush" by Lil Wayne. (Explicit lyrics.) Best lines: "But I know people that died in that pool. I know people that died in them schools."
Lil Wayne - Georgia Bushjuan64111
Jay-Z and Ne-Yo recorded "Minority Report" (2006) in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. (Explicit lyrics.) Best line: "The same idiots that can't get water into a major American city in less than three days are trying to win a war..."
Minority Report Jay-Z and Ne-Yoalmiten29
Many fans of our community who follow the Latino hip-hop scene told us that Calle 13's "Latinoamérica" had to be added. The song, released in 2011 dissects the common cultural and political bonds in the region. Best line: Soy el desarrollo en carne viva, nn discurso sin saliva. ("I am developing raw, a political speech without saliva.)"
Calle 13 - Latinoaméricaelvecindariocalle13
There was also mentions of Ana Tijoux's "Shock," a 2012 protest song. Best line: "Tu estado de control, tu trono podrido de oro, tu política y tu riqueza y tu tesoro no. ("Your state of control, your corrupt throne of gold, your politics and your wealth, and your treasure, no.")
Ana Tijoux - "Shock" in Arizonandlonvideos
One song that combined both hip-hop and hard rock is Rage Against The Machine's "Down Rodeo." (1996) (Explicit lyrics.) Best line: "These people ain't seen a brown-skin man since their grandparents bought one."
Rage Against The Machine - Down Rodeor4tm2
A newer addition is "Occupation Freedom" (2011) by Ground Zero and The Global Block Collective. Best line: "Occupy the streets, let's occupy the nation, but don't occupy your mind with false corporations."
Occupy Wall St. Hip Hop Anthem: Occupation Freedom, Ground Zero And The Global Block Collectivedjvibetv
And who can forget "Self Destruction," the megastar jam from 1989? Best line: "So to crush the stereotype here's what we did. We got ourselves together so that you could unite and fight for what's right."
Stop the Violence Movement - Self Destruction [Official Video HD]oldschoolhiphophd
So, which ones did we miss? Let us know here.
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