Hip-hop has roots in the party scene, but it also became famous for its politics. That has never been more clear than in 2017.
Hip-hop is politics
But if you look at the decades between its inception and now, mainstream hip-hop has been far removed from social-political speech.
In the current decade, the billboard charts indicate a resurgence of interest in artists that address social issues in their music. Politically charged performances from Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, and others surprise, shock, and entertain millions.
This video tells the story of how hip-hop was derailed from its roots in politics, and shows how it got back on track.
If you’d like to listen to the tracks in the video above, they’re available in this playlist — except for the outro, which is available here.
