Rap music is an integral part of African-American culture. Though the genre is sometimes criticized for its glorification of violence, drugs, and sex, its influence pertaining to being used as a tool for the voice of the voiceless, particularly people of color, cannot be overestimated.
Since time immemorial, we have heard “woke” songs from some of the most influential and charismatic rappers/rap groups fearlessly calling out authorities for their treatment of minorities.
Hitting hard at socio-economic issues, these rappers have also been intellectually dropping dimes about black heroes and the history of Africans and African Americans that isn’t taught in schools.
As we mark Black History Month, join Face2Face Africa as we highlight 12 rap songs that celebrate iconic black history heroes as well as black consciousness.
Check them out below:
Nina – Rapsody
Sojourner – Rapsody
The Believer – Common feat. John Legend
A Song For Assata – Common feat. Cee-Lo
So Misinformed – Snoop Dogg feat. Slick Rick
War Against Love – Nas
I Can – Nas
HiiiPower – Kendrick Lamar
Umi Says – Yasiin Bey (Mos Def)
Fight the Power – Public Enemy
By the Time I Get to Arizona – Public Enemy
Everything Is Everything – Lauryn Hill
