Let me introduce you to the antithesis of party music.
Far from the ass jiggling and getting drunk in the club, theres this sub genre rap full with positive influence. Conscious Rap is a branch of hip hop which focus on spreading the message and gives knowledge to the listener. Common theme conscious rap songs usually are empowering message to live day by day, critics to society, fighting discrimination or anti-violence.
Im not really well versed in hip hop but heres a few tracks i recommend to know more about conscious rap. I included RapGenius links below each tracks so you can read the songs description & message behind it more clearly.
Nas – I Can
This is the most straight forward conscious rap track i can think of. From the first chorus, Nas advising children to follow your dream, working hard at your goals while avoiding life ruining things such as drugs & bad people. He sounds like a super cool older brother.
Common – I Used To Love H.E.R
Today you know him more from his acting role in a movie such as . This track told a story about Common’s crush. She was slim, underground and relatable. Throughout the times she became fatter,more violent and drunk. At the end of the song you realize Common was not rapping about a girl. This is a critique about hip hop itself. Mindblown. In about.com top 100 hip hop tracks, this is on no 1 spot.
Talib Kweli – Get By
Talib Kweli together Yasin Bey created Blackstar duo, self proclaimed as the best alliance in hip hop. I kinda agree with that statement. Get By describe the struggle of urban African American to just get by and live another day. Accompenied with Kanye West produced uplifting beat, Kweli encourage you to think positively, break your addiction and hustle hard even though there a lot of shit going around you.
Lupe Fiasco – Bitch Bad
Man, i recommend two whole albums when i talk about Wasalu Muhammad Jaco a.k.a Lupe Fiasco. You should listen to The Cool and Food and Liquor part 2, those two albums filled with amazing conscious rap tracks. This tracks is my fave in the latter one. Lupe criticize misogynistic nature of commercial hip hop by breaking down damaging effect on using word Bitch on a children.
Thats all for today’s post. Have a good friday and stay away from top 40. Listen to the quality music instead.
