February is the month we celebrate black history and acknowledge the African-Americans figures that played a role in the freedom, equality, and justice that’s present today.  Though we still have a long ways to go, we have come very far.   So far that hip hop, a genre of music started by young black kids in the South Bronx, NY has become global.

Hip hop is no longer just the voice for that black kid from the ghetto, its the voice for whomever has a voice that needs a listener.  But lets not forget who fought, marched, and lost their lives for that “voice.”

Several times throughout the years I’ve sat back & wondered what if some of the civil rights activists were fans of hip hop (if hip hop was around then).  Who would be their favorite artist or what would be their favorite song?  But before you explore your own imagination, lets explore mine…

Top-10 Hip Hop Songs a Civil Rights Activist Might Have Liked:

10) My President is Black-Jeezy featuring Nas

I’m sure our first black president, Barack O’bama, enjoyed this video and song.  He even acknowledge it during his 2nd campagne for office.  This song wasn’t totally directed towards the president as you can hear in the chorus:  “…my lambo is blue.”  He’s Jeezy the Snowman, what else did you expect.

9) Jesus Walks-Kanye West

If Dr. King was alive today, I truly believe this song would be in his Ipod.  When he marched it was with peaceful intent but it didn’t always workout that way.  I’m pretty sure he said “Jesus walk with me” during some (or all) of his marches.  You never know, Kanye may have gotten it from him.

8) The Ghetto-Too Short

The whole civil rights movement was about bringing awareness of injustice and unfairness to the proper authorities.  Short Dog spoke on poverty, drug use, and violence in the inner city of Oakland, Ca via rap. Even called out the mayor.

7) Fight The Power-Public Enemy

Activist like Fred Hampton was militant, he definitely didn’t turn the other cheek.  I know this song would have fired him up!

6) Boogie Down Productions-By All Means Necessary

If anything I think Malcom X would have loved the album cover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5) Tupac-Trapped

Afeni Shukur, Tupac’s mother, was a member of the Black Panther.

It’s possible that she liked this song more than Dear Moma.

http://youtu.be/PHgHzWzzcgM

4) Too Short-Gettin It

Educators like George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington would endorse this song for sure: “get your kids in school so they can get an education, get a degree and take a vacation.”

3) Self-Destruction-Stop the Violence Movement

Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, whom march with Dr. King, would definitely relate to this song.  Especially Kool Moe Dee’s line: “I never ever ran from the Klu Klux Klan…”  Someone tried to kill Rev. Shuttlesworth by placing dynamite near his bedroom window in 1956.  Though his home was severely damaged, he walked away damaged-free.  A cop, that also was a KKK member, advised him to leave town (Birmingham, Al) but he didn’t budge!! He would remain there several years after the incident occurred.

2) Be a Father to Your Child-Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs

Some say the lack of male figurs in a house whole is the reason for the dysfunctions in the black community.  Fellas this is where it starts!!  I think all the civil rights leaders would have agreed.

1) Ladies First-Queen Latifah featuring Monie Love

This is for the Coretta Scott Kings, Betty Shabazz,’ Myrlie Evers, and all the other wives that held it down while their husbands went out to fight for equality.  Have you ever thought about what the women went through?  These 3 ladies in particular had children at home that probably wanted to spend time with their daddys like any other child.  It takes a strong woman to play that position.

http://youtu.be/hLB5bUNAesc

Each one teach one about black history!!