Socialist rap music

[Marxizm]

The only type of music I can stand is rap music, there is one rock band I like that are far left anarchists but they are pretty much the only exception (Corporate Avengers is their name). I would like to share some of this Socialist rap music with you guys because I think its amazing.

Ah, I dont think I can link things because im still new so if you want to hear go to youtube and type in "DISL Automatic Power to the People Mixtape Volume 1", its a great album and the rapper even has a website you can go to and download all his music for whatever price you want, you literally get to type in the price and you can put 0 if you want too but of course donations are appreciated. He is not trying to get rich and constantly speaks out against it and all the other rappers who do, rap used to be extremely anti-authority left wing but corporations bought all the labels and most rappers have sold out and now work for corporations rather than for the People.

This is from the song "Power to the People"
"Designer fashion is the only way they makin' a statement
Cuz they faker than that mutha fuckin' paper they chasin'
Fiat money ain't worth that green paper that it's printed on
Inflation will decrease it until every single cent is gone
Fuck them dead presidents
These rappers talkin' Benjamins
I'm talkin Revolution so I'm on my Thomas Jefferson!!!"

If you guys would like me to link more Socialist rappers I would happily do so, but I want to see what you guys think of this first. To me personally, its the best type of music known to man

[consuming negativity]

you might like immortal technique but he has this bad habit of tacking on crude shit and conspiracy theories to otherwise good songs

[RedWorker]

Pablo Hasel is a Spanish Stalinist rapper.

[Mr. Piccolo]

Interesting. I would really like to see more left-wing rap. I used to be a big rap fan when I was younger but the genre and the fans have become so materialistic lately that I became really turned off by the whole scene.

Lately I have been listening to China Mac, a Chinese-American rapper from New York City who just got out of prison. He has some interesting things to say about police brutality since he got beaten up by prison guards while locked up. While not a socialist rapper, I would check him out for something outside of the usual "bling-bling" luxury rap.

[Bala Perdida]

Paris
- http://youtu.be/MabsE2gqeoc -
I found this old school sound recently. Reminds me of immortal tech. except he has a more black panther oriented view. He also seems to have black nationalist influence, but it's pretty decent. He was banned from mtv in the 90s

[Marxizm]

you might like immortal technique but he has this bad habit of tacking on crude shit and conspiracy theories to otherwise good songs

Was listening to Immortal Technique as I read this lol, I left him out because I figure most already know who he is


Pablo Hasel is a Spanish Stalinist rapper.

Im not a fan of Stalin


Interesting. I would really like to see more left-wing rap. I used to be a big rap fan when I was younger but the genre and the fans have become so materialistic lately that I became really turned off by the whole scene.

Lately I have been listening to China Mac, a Chinese-American rapper from New York City who just got out of prison. He has some interesting things to say about police brutality since he got beaten up by prison guards while locked up. While not a socialist rapper, I would check him out for something outside of the usual "bling-bling" luxury rap.

Yeah definitely better than most rappers since he talks about more real life issues, although its not political for the most part it still is about important subjects. Thanks for sharing


Paris
I found this old school sound recently. Reminds me of immortal tech. except he has a more black panther oriented view. He also seems to have black nationalist influence, but it's pretty decent. He was banned from mtv in the 90s

Yeah the 90's rap was by far my favorite growing up (was born in the 90s) and I still love the 90's style rap, thanks for sharing he is a good artist



Since you guys seem interested I will show you guys a couple more,
Look up a song by Akala called something like "F64 S2 EP2",
"They're laughing at the little Coons who really think they're goons,
real goons dont wear platinum chains they wear ties and suits!
They dont live in the States and sell Flake,
they invade with guns and tanks and take your whole State, mate
So pardon me if I dont find it funny,
you boast about it but do you even know what is money?"

Another is KRS ONE but he should be obvious too, one of the first rappers from the 80's who is still making music today lol. His music is the most oldschool but is very great, try out a song called "Black Cop" by him if you guys are interested,
"The black cop is the only real obstacle
Black slave turned black cop is not logical
But very psychological, haven't you heard?
It's the black cop killin' black kids in Johannesburg

Whassup black cop, yo, whassup?
Your authorization says shoot your nation
You wanna uphold the law, what could you do to me?
The same law dissed the whole black community

You can't play both sides of the fence
1993 mad kids are gettin' tense
Black cop, black cop, black cop, black cop
Stop shootin black people we all gonna drop
You don't even get, paid a whole lot

Take your 4-5 and you put it 'pon lock!
Take your M-16 and put it 'pon lock!
Take your Uzi, put it 'pon lock!
Black cop, black cop, black cop
Black cop, black cop, black cop"


Ive still got quite a bit more if you guys are interested, just let me know and I will put more I have been listening to rap my whole life and I have a lot of anti-authority left wing artists to show you guys so long as you are interested, and thanks for showing me your guys music too :)

[ChangeAndChance]

There's always The Coup, they've been around since the early 90s and identify as communist through their frontman, Boots Riley.

[Sentinel]

I'm not a huge fan of rap, but usually appreciate any music with good political lyrics. Immortal Technique, who seems to be the most famous one, has been criticized pretty heavily for homophobia on this site, so I never bothered to check his stuff out.

Sun Rise Above (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Rise_Above), on the other hand, has written some pretty good lyrics. :)

[Palmares]

Nevermind. :o

[Palmares]

Also...


Pablo Hasel is a Spanish Stalinist rapper.

Say what...?! :ohmy:

[#FF0000]

Most overtly political music is garbage. So is Immortal Technique fwiw.

The Coup is good tho because Boots Riley is a good rapper n lyricist and doesn't sound like he's preaching at you.

[pax et aequalitas]

Lowkey, Logic, Shadia Mansour and Akala are a few you should check out. They all also work together occasionally. Some song I'd suggest:

Lowkey - Hand On Your Gun (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBNeD57-RVg)
Shadia Mansour ft. M1 (Dead prez) - Al kuffiyeh 3arabeyyeh (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21OXQ4m1-Bo)
Akala - Find no enemy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjvUMr1-AAU)
Logic & Last Resort ft. Maverick Sabre, Akala & Big Frizzle - We'll never know (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfKtIMSfAsQ)

[motion denied]

aoTRtTWEqeM

[Marxizm]

Lowkey, Logic, Shadia Mansour and Akala are a few you should check out. They all also work together occasionally. Some song I'd suggest:



Yeah I linked Akala and I found out about Akala through Lowkey actually, same for Logic. For some reason I could never really get into the other two.


I'm not a huge fan of rap, but usually appreciate any music with good political lyrics. Immortal Technique, who seems to be the most famous one, has been criticized pretty heavily for homophobia on this site, so I never bothered to check his stuff out.

, on the other hand, has written some pretty good lyrics. :)

Homophobia on his site? I never heard about that but I have heard about people criticizing him for homophobia in his lyrics which he has openly apologized for and has said multiple times he is 100% in favor of equal rights for gay people, he uses the "Fa**ot" word, as do I many times but its the same thing as an atheist saying "Oh my God!!" we dont actually believe in God we just say it because we were raised from birth to say it and it sticks, same for the insult with the F word. Im sure many gay people understand not every person who uses that word is homophobic, right? Well I hope so, because we honestly are not. Many of us use that word as a way to insult someone without cussing.

Listen to "Open your Eyes" by Immortal Technique and give him another shot please I guarantee you wont be dissapointed.


There's always The Coup, they've been around since the early 90s and identify as communist through their frontman, Boots Riley.

Boots Riley is absolutely amazing, by far one of my new favorite artists thank you so much for letting me know about him! I was listening to him almost all last night haha :grin: I love his songs "Guillotine" and "5 million ways to kill a CEO" haha. Im very appreciative, thanks again guys you are awesome. Hope you guys liked the people I linked

[Sentinel]

Homophobia on his site?


No, I meant that he has been criticised for homophobia in discussions regarding his lyrics, taking place on this site over the years. The subject usually comes up when he is mentioned, although it was a while ago I saw discussions on him now.


I have heard about people criticizing him for homophobia in his lyrics which he has openly apologized for and has said multiple times he is 100% in favor of equal rights for gay people, he uses the "Fa**ot" word, as do I many times but its the same thing as an atheist saying "Oh my God!!" we dont actually believe in God we just say it because we were raised from birth to say it and it sticks, same for the insult with the F word. Im sure many gay people understand not every person who uses that word is homophobic, right? Well I hope so, because we honestly are not. Many of us use that word as a way to insult someone without cussing.

The problem with this reasoning is that

1) while religion often plays a reactionary social role, marxism is a materialistic doctrine and socialists generally tend to be non-believers or at least advocate secularism, the calling out of the name of God - while pointless coming from atheists and even potentially a cause of misunderstandings - doesn't in itself constitute discriminatory language against oppressed minorities, so getting rid of such expressions simply isn't as urgent an issue, and

2) while it is possible to research the matter and find out that someone actually isn't homophobic despite using language such as 'faggot' in song texts etc, it isn't the first assumption one makes when someone throws around such terms to the left and the right.

And the damage has already been done. His apologies may have provided some consolation for fans who were hoping for him not to be a homophobe after all, and maybe even some of the people who have gotten bullied/attacked as a result of him and other artists reinforcing negative attitudes towards LGBT people with their lyrics, who knows.

But that doesn't change the fact that using such language still is reactionary and extremely harmful, regardless of intentions.

Because as long as homophobia is a problem in society, using words associated with homosexuality (such as 'gay', not to mention 'faggot' which is outright hate speech) as insults or generally to mean something negative will reinforce it. An atmosphere is maintained where especially young LGBT people will have a hard time coming out and being open with their sexuality, and may instead fall into the risk zone for depression, suicide etc.

Not to mention, unsurprisingly they might get put off revolutionary politics if people claiming to adhere to such reinforce their oppression.

It is of course great if IT has apologised and all, but in that case I really hope that he also changed the lyrics, and made it widely clear why he chose to do so. Seeing he is a 'progressive artist', even writing a song or two against homophobia as a 'compensation' would not hurt.. :rolleyes:

If he however deliberately chooses to continue using homophobic language despite being confronted about it, it renders any apologies or explanations meaningless. In that case he is at best ignorant of the realities of social discrimination, and how modern leftists are not only supposed to do their best to prevent it, but actively confront it.

That we are brought up with baggage from more reactionary times can be an explanation, but it can never be an excuse for leftists to not actively work for social progress, starting with ourselves - reflecting on, and if necessary changing how we think, talk, express ourselves. Needless to say this is very important for someone who is a role model for youth.

[nowarbutclasswar]

yYgdQed3gzw

look up in the sky its a bird its a plane
its a lil foreign aid incoming with ya name
on da missle signed sealed delivered its official
whistle by ya face so close u can kiss em
its da smog over l.a. bombs over belgrade
shrapnel in that ass on a hot summer day
its da uncut from bogota another socom plot
another shot from a robocop
who got da biggest dick cheney they arraign me i stay frontin
with that george bush smirk like i got away with somethin
blood by the barrel on a planet thats in peril and
a pair of dead eyes str8 starring at the camera lens
zero in usa hero push heroin
coming in the eurozone flown in by airmen
still slang reagan put that paper in his palm
its that free trade heaven let em bang it in ya arm kid
everywhere is chaos every day is playoffs
they gave as madoff and made off with a pay off
i hear yall shut downs n layoffs
cut back we slaves no pay in maquiladoras with no day off
we jaywalk on wall street deep let chomsky speak
until da buildings crumble like a ponzi scheme
i drop sixteen candles and ignite the system
n watch da sunrise in da distance

[Ru1138]

Precarious Work by Mohammad Ali. No link currently because my post count is under 25, but look it up on Youtube.

[human strike]

Bambu is the shit:

ROqPl5x6M7s

Folks might also like Blue Scholars, P.O.S., Sun Rise Above, Comrade Malone, and Marxman as other examples of radical hip hop.

[Palmares]

I forgot to say this ages ago... but why isn't this in the Music sub-forum?

[Sentinel]

I forgot to say this ages ago... but why isn't this in the Music sub-forum?

Indeed, I was looking for it earlier but couldn't find it. Moved.

[Marxizm]

No, I meant that he has been criticised for homophobia in discussions regarding his lyrics, taking place on this site over the years. The subject usually comes up when he is mentioned, although it was a while ago I saw discussions on him now.



The problem with this reasoning is that

1) while religion often plays a reactionary social role, marxism is a materialistic doctrine and socialists generally tend to be non-believers or at least advocate secularism, the calling out of the name of God - while pointless coming from atheists and even potentially a cause of misunderstandings - doesn't in itself constitute discriminatory language against oppressed minorities, so getting rid of such expressions simply isn't as urgent an issue, and

2) while it is possible to research the matter and find out that someone actually isn't homophobic despite using language such as 'faggot' in song texts etc, it isn't the first assumption one makes when someone throws around such terms to the left and the right.

And the damage has already been done. His apologies may have provided some consolation for fans who were hoping for him not to be a homophobe after all, and maybe even some of the people who have gotten bullied/attacked as a result of him and other artists reinforcing negative attitudes towards LGBT people with their lyrics, who knows.

But that doesn't change the fact that using such language still is reactionary and extremely harmful, regardless of intentions.

Because as long as homophobia is a problem in society, using words associated with homosexuality (such as 'gay', not to mention 'faggot' which is outright hate speech) as insults or generally to mean something negative will reinforce it. An atmosphere is maintained where especially young LGBT people will have a hard time coming out and being open with their sexuality, and may instead fall into the risk zone for depression, suicide etc.

Not to mention, unsurprisingly they might get put off revolutionary politics if people claiming to adhere to such reinforce their oppression.

It is of course great if IT has apologised and all, but in that case I really hope that he also changed the lyrics, and made it widely clear why he chose to do so. Seeing he is a 'progressive artist', even writing a song or two against homophobia as a 'compensation' would not hurt.. :rolleyes:

If he however deliberately chooses to continue using homophobic language despite being confronted about it, it renders any apologies or explanations meaningless. In that case he is at best ignorant of the realities of social discrimination, and how modern leftists are not only supposed to do their best to prevent it, but actively confront it.

That we are brought up with baggage from more reactionary times can be an explanation, but it can never be an excuse for leftists to not actively work for social progress, starting with ourselves - reflecting on, and if necessary changing how we think, talk, express ourselves. Needless to say this is very important for someone who is a role model for youth.

I cant remember the people who interviewed him although I have a blurry mental image of it so I might remember eventually, but they did a short google plus thing where people from there can ask him questions and someone brought up not only his homophobic lyrics, but also his lyrics saying "nigga", and he said he was glad that person brought it up and he apologized for both and he even said if you listen to his first albums he used those words quite often, but if you listen to his newer albums you wont find those words in there at all, which is true I have all of his albums its really only his really early albums where is uses those words.

Damn I still cant fight the interview but I found someone else who remembers watching it lol,
read these comments, http://genius.com/discussions/25323-Immortal-technique
"Immortal Technique: fighting for equality one homophobic slur at a time"
"He actually admitted to and apologized to this in an interview."

So you see im not the only one who saw that interview lol, I just cant remember who interviewed him is all, the google play part was just a small piece of the interview.

I understand you are saying the damage is already done, but you still also have to give people room to change or else they are less likely to want to change. Yes the damage is done, but I think most homosexuals are smart enough to realize 10-20 years ago people were very ignorant about homosexuality, including myself, but now today things have changed and peoples minds all across the country have opened up to this idea, hell even right wingers have been jumping on board with it. I really believe they would be understanding of people who used to be homophobic but no longer are. Not only that, but Immortal Technique is going to be making more music soon if im not mistaken, and I guarantee it wont have any homophobic lyrics, times have changed and he is well aware of this.

[Marxizm]

yYgdQed3gzw

look up in the sky its a bird its a plane
its a lil foreign aid incoming with ya name
on da missle signed sealed delivered its official
whistle by ya face so close u can kiss em
its da smog over l.a. bombs over belgrade
shrapnel in that ass on a hot summer day
its da uncut from bogota another socom plot
another shot from a robocop
who got da biggest dick cheney they arraign me i stay frontin
with that george bush smirk like i got away with somethin
blood by the barrel on a planet thats in peril and
a pair of dead eyes str8 starring at the camera lens
zero in usa hero push heroin
coming in the eurozone flown in by airmen
still slang reagan put that paper in his palm
its that free trade heaven let em bang it in ya arm kid
everywhere is chaos every day is playoffs
they gave as madoff and made off with a pay off
i hear yall shut downs n layoffs
cut back we slaves no pay in maquiladoras with no day off
we jaywalk on wall street deep let chomsky speak
until da buildings crumble like a ponzi scheme
i drop sixteen candles and ignite the system
n watch da sunrise in da distance

Dude who is that he is badass? Its not immortal technique man I know that for sure, and when I type in the lyrics all that comes up is that one immortal technique video lol, you know his name?


Bambu is the shit:

ROqPl5x6M7s

Folks might also like Blue Scholars, P.O.S., Sun Rise Above, Comrade Malone, and Marxman as other examples of radical hip hop.

Good shit man thanks for showing me gonna check them all out :thumbup1:

[Viktor89]

Swedish left wing rap group Kartellen holding up Revfront banner and showing direct action against nazis in this video:
youtube.com/watch?v=tvSU9xFn2Ow
The lyrics are about how the capitalists are the biggest criminals.

[Cliff Paul]

I like Immortal Technique because he has some pretty amusing rhymes, but some of his shit is just undefendable. Example from one of his freestyles...



I'm taking your space Nigga, don't act like you know me//
Cause I'll fuck your girl whether she likes it or not, like I was Kobe//
I'm Immortal Technique Nigga, you don't want to fuck with that//
I'll beat the shit out of your *****, and take her trucker hat

[Marxizm]

I like Immortal Technique because he has some pretty amusing rhymes, but some of his shit is just undefendable. Example from one of his freestyles...

Do you really think he is being serious there and promoting those beliefs? Clearly he is messing around purposefully trying to be over the top

[Creative Destruction]

dead prez and the Coup are both explicitly socialist groups.

[Cliff Paul]

Do you really think he is being serious there and promoting those beliefs? Clearly he is messing around purposefully trying to be over the top

No I don't think he's serious, but no one should be making jokes about rape in the first place.

[#FF0000]

Virtually all political music is garbage.

The Coup is good, though.

[Creative Destruction]

Virtually all political music is garbage.

The Coup is good, though.

i've found that hip hop tends to make the best political music and that genre tends to churn it out pretty often.

[Cliff Paul]

Virtually all political music is garbage.

but godspeed

[Counterculturalist]

Virtually all political music is garbage.


Ahem. Discharge.

[#FF0000]

but godspeed

notice how this is true and they also don't have lyrics

[Futility Personified]

Cliff Richard?

[Marxizm]

He has also joked about assassinating George Bush, im sure you found no problem with that, right?

Here is another piece that may offend many people but you can tell he is saying it purely for shock value and as a joke,
"So im strapped like Lee Malvo holding a sniper rifle,
these bullets will touch your kids and I dont mean like Michael"

[Cliff Paul]

He has also joked about assassinating George Bush, im sure you found no problem with that, right?

I could really care less.

My issue is with the fact that you just claimed that someone making jokes about rape is just him 'messing around'.

[A Revolutionary Tool]

No, I meant that he has been criticised for homophobia in discussions regarding his lyrics, taking place on this site over the years. The subject usually comes up when he is mentioned, although it was a while ago I saw discussions on him now.



The problem with this reasoning is that

1) while religion often plays a reactionary social role, marxism is a materialistic doctrine and socialists generally tend to be non-believers or at least advocate secularism, the calling out of the name of God - while pointless coming from atheists and even potentially a cause of misunderstandings - doesn't in itself constitute discriminatory language against oppressed minorities, so getting rid of such expressions simply isn't as urgent an issue, and

2) while it is possible to research the matter and find out that someone actually isn't homophobic despite using language such as 'faggot' in song texts etc, it isn't the first assumption one makes when someone throws around such terms to the left and the right.

And the damage has already been done. His apologies may have provided some consolation for fans who were hoping for him not to be a homophobe after all, and maybe even some of the people who have gotten bullied/attacked as a result of him and other artists reinforcing negative attitudes towards LGBT people with their lyrics, who knows.

But that doesn't change the fact that using such language still is reactionary and extremely harmful, regardless of intentions.

Because as long as homophobia is a problem in society, using words associated with homosexuality (such as 'gay', not to mention 'faggot' which is outright hate speech) as insults or generally to mean something negative will reinforce it. An atmosphere is maintained where especially young LGBT people will have a hard time coming out and being open with their sexuality, and may instead fall into the risk zone for depression, suicide etc.

Not to mention, unsurprisingly they might get put off revolutionary politics if people claiming to adhere to such reinforce their oppression.

It is of course great if IT has apologised and all, but in that case I really hope that he also changed the lyrics, and made it widely clear why he chose to do so. Seeing he is a 'progressive artist', even writing a song or two against homophobia as a 'compensation' would not hurt.. :rolleyes:

If he however deliberately chooses to continue using homophobic language despite being confronted about it, it renders any apologies or explanations meaningless. In that case he is at best ignorant of the realities of social discrimination, and how modern leftists are not only supposed to do their best to prevent it, but actively confront it.

That we are brought up with baggage from more reactionary times can be an explanation, but it can never be an excuse for leftists to not actively work for social progress, starting with ourselves - reflecting on, and if necessary changing how we think, talk, express ourselves. Needless to say this is very important for someone who is a role model for youth.

It's interesting, I went to a IT concert on Saturday and he gave a little speech about he had "evolved" on the issue and how it wasn't right. I don't remember him using the word during the performance(I wasn't in the best state of mind to remember things though with three hours of sleep and a pretty good edible right before the show) but I do remember a few times I remember him saying "girl" and "woman" in a few songs where in the original lyrics they were "*****". So that might say something about where he's trying to distance himself from those kinds of things.

But at the same time there was a different artist who said something like "sex created you, it's not bad, and if you think it is you're probably a faggot". It caught me off guard for sure, he thinks homosexuals thinks sex is bad. It wasn't Immortal Technique but it was someone on his label and he opened for him so it was a wtf moment.

[Jessup]

>Socialst rap music
That sounds like heaven.

[Hit The North]

Akala is an anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist rapper from England who, ahem, rocks the mic and rocks the mic right:

oh03JO6EFjo

[Antiochus]

No, if I listen to rap it has to be the most hedonistic of sorts :grin:

[Cliff Paul]

Paris
I found this old school sound recently. Reminds me of immortal tech. except he has a more black panther oriented view. He also seems to have black nationalist influence, but it's pretty decent. He was banned from mtv in the 90s

I actually saw an interview with him a while ago and iirc he said that he was actually in line to getting a major record deal and major mtv airtime but after the backlash from body count's copkiller no one wanted to touch a black nationalist rapper.

[Cliff Paul]

Did no one mention the goats?

SFzQawEwrD4

[Marxizm]

Did no one mention the goats?


They are awesome I never heard them before thanks for posting, I love their "Mutiny" song about fighting fascists lol that one is my favorite so far :grin:

[Comrade Jacob]

Immortal technique and Bambu