New Hip-Hop Highlighting Police Brutality, Family Love, Hip-Hop’s Elements and Worldwide Influence

One of the semi-unfortunate reactions to Kendrick Lamar’s monumental release To Pimp a Butterfly was hearing people praising the perceived return of “conscious” rap.

Taking nothing away from Lamar’s vibrant masterpiece, it is nonetheless a disingenuous thing to say. There have been plenty of artists speaking on the kinds of issues Kendrick did, with their own inventive and powerful lyrical and musical styles, throughout hip-hop’s history. Yes, even the past decade or so, when mainstream entertainment has driven such artistry increasingly off most folks’ radar.

It has existed in the music and activism of Immortal Technique and Talib Kweli, in the music and community building of lesser-known, but no less important artists like Rebel Diaz or Tef Poe, or in hip-hop oriented organizations doing great work throughout the country like Chicago’s Donda’s House or California-based Beats, Rhymes & Life.

So while Kendrick certainly brought the idea of a resurgence of rap with a message to the forefront, it was by no means non-existent before him.

Similarly, there are many who would say — in the wake of a Lamar’s recent explosive success — that aside from K.Dot, there isn’t much else “out there.”

For the same reasons, this is also false. Again, make no mistake — few can match the artistic zone Lamar is gracing us with — but it doesn’t mean that there aren’t others in the rap field using the genre to speak on these kinds of issues.

One of the most recent examples to have crossed my e-desk has been The Fire Next Time, a concept-based compilation album centered on the issue of police brutality, weaving the words and imagery of the great James Baldwin throughout. Produced and curated by Ronin / RA-NYC, this 12-track offering features several artists delivering their take on the ever-disturbing issue. With a couple of standout tracks, the well-produced material is certainly thought-provoking, and at times eerily visceral.

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Rodrigo Starz from the aforementioned Rebel Diaz, delivers a soul-stirringly lovely video for “Can You Call It Love,” a touching ode to his family. Produced by DJ Charlie Hustle, the track speaks to Rod’s affection for his wife and child, while making it clear his dedication to educating people, fighting injustice and keeping hip-hop alive will most definitely not stop with him. Check out the Sense Hernandez-directed video below.

Unfortunately, “hip-hop” has become more and more synonymous with “rap music” in recent years, giving many the impression that the culture’s other artistic elements are no longer respected or practiced. Luckily, Skematics, Saigon and PF Cuttin took a little time to remind folks that the elements are still alive and well in the high-energy, JD Ferec-directed video for “4 Elements.”

Lastly, AWKWORD dropped a global collaboration worthy of note, bringing together MCs and singers from nine countries and four continents for “I Am.” AWKWORD, an advocate for connecting the world through hip-hop culture, music and education, has a history of such collaborative projects, often sending the proceeds to charity. With “I Am,” proceeds will be used to fund the video, so the various artists can showcase where they come from. The Teck-Zilla-produced song, features Modenine, Five Steez, Holstar, Latasha Alcindor, Third Eye, Wakazi, The Assembly, Maka & DJ J Hart, and will appear on AWKWORD’s upcoming EP Mid-Flight. It can be purchased on iTunes.

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