Black History Month is here. It’s a celebration of Black excellence at every level. One of the most praised and lucrative arts that Black culture has given to the world is hip-hop. Although it was birthed in New York, hip-hop’s poetic origins and spiritual undertones can be traced back to rhythms and hymns from slave times. The art of using poems and songs to articulate the struggles within the community has always been a powerful form of self-healing and learning in the Black community. That tradition has never changed.
Throughout rap’s young history, certain artists have veered away from the most popular topics of their time. They avoid songs laden with lyrics about money, women, and drugs. Instead, they look at their heritage, their people, and use their struggle to inspire them. Some rappers, like Kendrick Lamar and Lupe Fiasco, wish to teach their listeners. Other artists like Mos Def and Talib Kweli choose to influence others to seek out their own truths. These Black revolutionaries have created the soundtracks for the modern day Civil Rights movements. Albums like Nas’ Untitled or Brand Nubian’s One For All had such powerful Afrocentric messages that were neither trendy nor marketable. These artists sacrificed record sales to enhance the culture.
There is never an overabundance of strong voices in the hip-hop music. In a culture that was birthed from poverty as a method of expression, what would you expect? The darkest corners of America’s poverty riddled cities are where some of hip-hop’s most intelligent wordsmiths were raised. The Langston Hughes' and Malcolm X’s of our generation sparked the revolution with ink and instrumentals. There is no better time than Black History Month to acknowledge the best Afrocentric albums in hip-hop culture. From Kanye West and Jay-Z’s Watch The Throne to Poor Righteous Teachers’ New World Order, these are the albums that were the most unapologetic Black masterpieces in rap culture.
Presented in chronological order according to their release date.
Fear of a Black Planet
Artist: Public Enemy
Release Date: April 10, 1990
Most Afrocentric Track: "Fight The Power"
Public Enemy was rapping about institutionalized racism and white supremacy decades before it was cool to be “woke.” In fact, Public Enemy influenced almost every single Afrocentric hip-hop album since their legendary Fear of a Black Planet album was introduced to consumers. The album is currently archived in the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.
To The East, Blackwards
Artist: X Clan
Release Date: April 24, 1990
Most Afrocentric Song: “Raise The Flag”
X Clan’s movement was about going back to the Motherland, or learning as much about it as you could, until the trip was attainable. They spoke out against oppression and racism, and were one of the most militant Afrocentric rap groups of the early 90’s.
The Devil Made Me Do It
Artist: Paris
Release Date: December 4, 1990
Most Afrocentric Song: “Panther Power”
Although his music was revolutionary, Paris never stood a chance. His hard-hitting pro-black bars were powered by as much white hatred as they were black love. His fiery The Devil Made Me Do It album was banned from stores across the nation. Still, every war needs soldiers, and Paris’ music was the soundtrack for those warriors.
One For All
Artist: Brand Nubian
Release Date: December 4, 1990
Most Afrocentric Song: “Brand Nubian”
Even their name gave off an essence of Black excellence. Releasing “Brand Nubian” as their single was a bold move. The crew rapped about the importance of being Black kings and queens while spreading powerful positive messages about knowledge, wealth, and heritage.
New World Order
Artist: Poor Righteous Teachers
Release Date: October 15, 1996
Most Afrocentric Song: “Dreadful Day”
Poor Righteous Teachers were hip-hop scholars who released several classic albums during their time together. Their infinite knowledge and addicting beats brought commercial viability to rappers with existential wisdom.
Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star
Artist: Black Star (Mos Def and Talib Kweli)
Release Date: September 29, 1998
Most Afrocentric Song: “Thieves in the Night”
There are few minds as gifted with wordplay as Mos Def and Talib Kweli's. The Brooklyn boys open the listener's minds and create a path to learning about Black culture and history. Even the name of the group, Black star, is named after a shipping line founded by Marcus Garvey.
Let's Get Free
Artist: dead prez
Release Date: February 8, 2000
Most Afrocentric Song: “I'm A African”
The album opens with an insightful speech about how African tribes have a method that makes hunting wolves easier. It involves making the wolves kill themselves. The process is likened to the crack epidemic and its proliferation throughout the black community. From there forward, dead prez’s debut album takes listeners on a wild pro-black ride.
Distant Relatives
Artist: Nas and Damian Marley
Release Date: May 18, 2010
Most Afrocentric Song: “Africa Must Wake Up”
Nas and Damian linked up for “Road To Zion,” which solidified their growing friendship and placed them on a musical collision course. The two released Distant Relatives as both a passion project, and an album for inspiration. A portion of the album’s proceeds went to helping feed, clothe, and educate African children.
Watch the Throne
Artist: The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z)
Release Date: August 8, 2011
Most Afrocentric Song: “Murder to Excellence”
Jay-Z and Kanye West teamed up to give the culture a modern-day pro-black album. Although the two ended up falling out a few years after the album dropped, the nation enjoyed several years of Yeezy and Hov taking shots at oppression and institutionalized racism while praising dark skin. We can still hold out hope that they will reunite, too.
To Pimp A Butterfly
Artist: Kendrick Lamar
Release Date: March 15, 2015
Most Afrocentric Track: “The Blacker The Berry”
To Pimp A Butterfly was made after Kung-Fu Kenny visited Africa and it changed his life. His maturity and absolute obsession with furthering Black culture are so palpable on this album, you can feel it. King Kendrick released an album where a mob of black men stomp out a judge on the White House lawn on his CD cover. ‘Nuff said.
