Greetings
There are many criticisms of hip hop that we the hip hop community must take responsibility for. However, we are not apathetic, we are only painted that way by people who expect artists to be solely responsible for addressing social ills. I cannot tell you how many times I hear the complaint that hip hop doesn't speak for the community by people who are too lazy to support any hip hop beyond what is forced down their throat thru corporate radio. Since when do we let corporations decide who speaks for us?
The radio game is pay for play, strictly. That is why new artists do not get a shot; that is why you hear the same five songs by the same five artists over and over again. There are only a handful of labels who have the capital and the will to spend the tens of thousands of dollars it costs to bribe djs to play records.
The artists have always maintained a balance and made songs that cover the concerns of the entire community, even the so called radio artists. But this heartfelt music is often shoved under the rug and pushed aside for assembly line rap about destroying our communities and degrading our women. As someone who is blessed to do hip hop music for a living, I often come across beautiful hip hop that never makes it into the consciousness of the mainstream. I decided that I would attempt to expose some of this music, so that we as a community would have a sound track to vibrate higher to. I got with the homie DJ Spintelect and we selected songs from high profile artists that have been released over the last year or two that speak directly to conditions in our communities. Some of these songs you may have heard, some you may have not, but you haven't heard this wonderful music collected in one place. We are attempting to create a sustained experience of positive, uplifting hip hop that is as equally dope as it is conscious. We sincerely hope you enjoy it!
All Power to the People!
- Talib Kweli
There are many criticisms of hip hop that we the hip hop community must take responsibility for. However, we are not apathetic, we are only painted that way by people who expect artists to be solely responsible for addressing social ills. I cannot tell you how many times I hear the complaint that hip hop doesn't speak for the community by people who are too lazy to support any hip hop beyond what is forced down their throat thru corporate radio. Since when do we let corporations decide who speaks for us?
The radio game is pay for play, strictly. That is why new artists do not get a shot; that is why you hear the same five songs by the same five artists over and over again. There are only a handful of labels who have the capital and the will to spend the tens of thousands of dollars it costs to bribe djs to play records.
The artists have always maintained a balance and made songs that cover the concerns of the entire community, even the so called radio artists. But this heartfelt music is often shoved under the rug and pushed aside for assembly line rap about destroying our communities and degrading our women. As someone who is blessed to do hip hop music for a living, I often come across beautiful hip hop that never makes it into the consciousness of the mainstream. I decided that I would attempt to expose some of this music, so that we as a community would have a sound track to vibrate higher to. I got with the homie DJ Spintelect and we selected songs from high profile artists that have been released over the last year or two that speak directly to conditions in our communities. Some of these songs you may have heard, some you may have not, but you haven't heard this wonderful music collected in one place. We are attempting to create a sustained experience of positive, uplifting hip hop that is as equally dope as it is conscious. We sincerely hope you enjoy it!
All Power to the People!
- Talib Kweli
01. Nina Simone - Buddy Bolden (0:39)
02. Talib Kweli Feat. Nelly - Before He Walked (2:43)
03. K-Salaam & Beatnik Feat. Nas & M1 - Genocide Highway (3:05)
04. Kanye West - New Slaves (2:59)
05. Loaded Lux - True Love (2:52)
06. Young Jeezy - It's A Cold World (Trayvon Martin Tribute) (3:15)
07. GZA - Cold World (2:20)
08. Stevie Wonder - Rocket Love (1:33)
09. Rick Ross Feat. Lupe Fiasco & Wale - Rich Niggas, Poor Decisions (4:31)
10. Ace Hood - Another Statistic (2:18)
11. Macklemore - White Privilege (3:34)
12. Roy Ayers - We Live In Brooklyn Baby (0:41)
13. Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (3:21)
14. Styles P Feat. Pharoahe Monch - Children (3:01)
15. Invincible & Waajeed - Detroit Summer (3:25)
16. Lupe Fiasco - Around My Way (1:33)
17. Tom Scott Feat. The California Dreamers - Today (1:33)
18. Wyclef Jean - If You're 17 (Trayvon Martin Tribute) (3:26)
19. Emliy King, Sirus Jones, Honors English, John Forte, Bilal & Mann 95 - Let It In (4:48)
02. Talib Kweli Feat. Nelly - Before He Walked (2:43)
03. K-Salaam & Beatnik Feat. Nas & M1 - Genocide Highway (3:05)
04. Kanye West - New Slaves (2:59)
05. Loaded Lux - True Love (2:52)
06. Young Jeezy - It's A Cold World (Trayvon Martin Tribute) (3:15)
07. GZA - Cold World (2:20)
08. Stevie Wonder - Rocket Love (1:33)
09. Rick Ross Feat. Lupe Fiasco & Wale - Rich Niggas, Poor Decisions (4:31)
10. Ace Hood - Another Statistic (2:18)
11. Macklemore - White Privilege (3:34)
12. Roy Ayers - We Live In Brooklyn Baby (0:41)
13. Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (3:21)
14. Styles P Feat. Pharoahe Monch - Children (3:01)
15. Invincible & Waajeed - Detroit Summer (3:25)
16. Lupe Fiasco - Around My Way (1:33)
17. Tom Scott Feat. The California Dreamers - Today (1:33)
18. Wyclef Jean - If You're 17 (Trayvon Martin Tribute) (3:26)
19. Emliy King, Sirus Jones, Honors English, John Forte, Bilal & Mann 95 - Let It In (4:48)
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