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Oddisee Goes Beyond the Surface of the Muslim Experience in America (Audio)

Born Amir Mohamed el Khalifa, producer and rapper Oddisee is a Muslim African-American whose unique experiences with identity and race influence in large part his phenomenal new album, The Iceberg. During a time in U.S. politics when the term "Muslim ban" has become commonplace, Islamophobia and our perceptions of Muslims... Read more

Joey Bada$$ Says Obama Wasn’t Enough. America Needs to Wake Up (Video)

On Inauguration Day, Joey Bada$$ released "Land Of the Free," an exercise in Hip-Hop as political tool. In the song, the Brooklyn, New York MC continues a tradition present throughout his young yet inspiring career, tackling everything from the KKK to personal destiny. As such, the song's lyrics are potent,... Read more

Under Donald Trump’s New Immigration Laws, Millions Can Be Deported…Immediately

Donald Trump has made good on a promise he made during his recent press conference regarding the unveiling of new directives concerning immigration. Today (February 21), the Department of Homeland Security explained the new laws, which both enforce parts of laws already on the books while adding entirely new and... Read more

A Tribe Called Quest Resist For ALL OF US At The Grammys (Video)

Nearly 20 years after their latest Grammy nomination, A Tribe Called Quest took the stage tonight (February 12). While their 2016 release of We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your service is not eligible for awards at the 59th Grammys, tonight's showcase may be a preview for 2018.... Read more

Donald Trump’s Muslim Ban Happened Without GOP Leaders Even Knowing About It

Donald Trump has been in office for less than two full weeks, and there is already incredible fallout from the executive orders he's signed thus far. His controversial immigration policy banning travel to the United States from seven of the world's most predominantly Muslim countries has elicited massive blowback from... Read more

Kxng Crooked Says Kellyanne Conway Should Rap Since She Lies Like Most MCs (Audio)

It's been a particularly unusual first week of a new president's tenure. Since being sworn in on January 20, Donald Trump and his staff have said and done things that have angered millions of Americans. Entertaining as some of it may be, under all of it lie serious implications, with... Read more

Donald Glover, Tracee Ellis Ross & Meryl Streep Used Awards For Acting To Get Real (Videos)

Last night (January 9), the Golden Globes aired and with only 11 days until Donald Trump's inauguration, the evening was peppered with political commentary. Donald Glover, Meryl Streep, and Tracee Ellis Ross all used their time on stage to accept awards to address the current climate of racism and politics,... Read more

A Trump Presidency Will Likely Make the Failed War on Drugs Even Worse. Here’s Why.

In 2016, much headway has been made to counteract some of the harmful lingering effects of the so-called "war on drugs." Criminal-justice reform has taken on invigorated energy, with more attention being focused on overturning the excessively harsh sentences placed on low-level, nonviolent drug offenders. Marijuana continues to become more... Read more

Termanology Rips A Funkmaster Flex Freestyle. Pardon The Interruption (Video)

It's been just over a month since Lawrence, Massachusetts's Termanology dropped More Politics, a self-released LP featuring Bun B, Styles P, Sheek Louch, Kxng Crooked, Joey Bada$$, Your Old Droog, and others. With just three songs featuring a solo Term', the album is an inclusive affair with plenty of variety... Read more

President Obama Is Not Done. He Has Big Plans For The Nation’s Next Leaders (Video)

In a month's time, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will be vacating the White House, along with their two daughters, Malia and Sasha. The First Family has given new meaning to the word "influential," and have maneuvered a very public life with class, grace, and humor. With... Read more

2016: The Year Chance Stood With The People & Showed He’s So Much More Than A Rapper

In just under two weeks, we will be saying goodbye to 2016, a year during which the world faced turmoil at breakneck speed. From President Obama's announcement of a federal state of emergency in Flint, Michigan during the first month of the year to a summer stained with the blood... Read more

Killer Mike Explains the Racist History of the Chronic War Against Legalization

In a new essay he penned for Rolling Stone, Killer Mike (born Michael Render) addresses the racially motivated disproportions in the marijuana industry, a topic that has become a major talking point as the movement for nationwide legalization continues to gain steam. By 2020, the recreational marijuana industry is expected... Read more

Talib Kweli Takes Donald Trump To Task & Sounds Off On Kanye For Supporting Him (Video)

Talib Kweli is one of the most engaged social-media users in Hip-Hop, and he can be seen addressing issues of racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression online, using his extensive base of followers to elicit ongoing discussions about any given sociopolitical issue. Of course, fans have loved him... Read more

Pharrell Williams Says Women Will Lead the Revolution in 2020 (Video)

In what is proving to be a monumental year for African-American visibility in Hollywood, films like The Birth of a Nation and Moonlight exist side-by-side with television shows like Luke Cage and Atlanta. On January 6, Hidden Figures will join those ranks as a significant piece of storytelling in Black... Read more

Trevor Noah Grills Tomi Lahren On Black Lives Matter & It Gets HEATED (Video)

Conservative media darling Tomi Lahren is not short on fans - nor critics. At only 24, she has made a name for herself as a far-right-leaning media personality, one whose voice has come to represent fiscally and socially conservative millennials. Her outspoken viewpoints have helped make her one of the... Read more

The “Hamilton” Actor Who Stood Up to Mike Pence Has Much More to Say (Video)

Vice-president elect Mike Pence is a conservative's conservative, earning him the skepticism of Americans who champion civil rights for women and other minority groups. As such, his presence at a recent production of Hamilton earned him the attention of the musical's cast,  itself a melting pot of color and gender.... Read more

Brooklyn Is Uniting To Stand Up Against Hate After Swastikas Painted At MCA’s Park

When a Brooklyn, New York park was named in the honor of Beastie Boys co-founder Adam "MCA" Yauch, it was an apparent act of love and respect. Yesterday (November 18), that same space—Adam Yauch Park was vandalized in the name of hate. Culprits defaced the property with antisemitic painting, including... Read more

Mike Pence Booed At “Hamilton.” The Cast Asks Him To Govern For Us ALL (Video)

Many musicians, athletes, and celebrities have been theatergoers at Broadway's Hamilton. Last night (November 18), United States Vice President-elect Mike Pence was the latest notable attendee at the play created by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Presently serving as Indiana's governor, Pence was the recipient of boos from fellow ticket-holders who noticed him.... Read more

Vic Mensa Pens a Powerful Essay on Trump & Why Race Is a Distraction From the Real Problem

Vic Mensa has been one of the most outspoken artists of his generation, with 2016 being his biggest year yet. The Chicago MC's "16 Shots" is a prime example of his using music to bring attention to social and political issues of the day, but it's not just as a... Read more

Q-Tip & Phife Release Their Most Political Song Ever & It Ain’t Nothin’ Nice (Video)

It's been a heavy week for America. Donald Trump is President-Elect, a stark reality for the millions who have found themselves in the crosshairs of his vitriolic campaigning. Just three days into his new position, Trump has already inspired protests across the country waged by people who are literally fearing... Read more

Donald Trump’s Presidency Presents a Threat to the Entire Planet, Literally (Audio)

Issues like the economy, foreign policy, healthcare, and immigration all dominated the 2016 presidential campaign. What all of these issues have in common is they all require a living planet in order to function. As such, one would think the issue of climate change would be the foremost issue of... Read more

Killer Mike Explained Donald Trump’s Victory Before It Happened (Video)

Just minutes ago, Hillary Clinton delivered her concession speech after losing the presidential election to Donald Trump. There is no doubt that today, November 9, 2016, will go down in history as a clearly marked moment in time when, years from now, we will all remember where we were the... Read more

Black Thought & Daveed Diggs Get Busy On An Incredible Election Day Rap-Off (Video)

Today (November 8) is Election Day in the U.S., and millions will be casting their ballots in what is proving to be the most memorable election in modern history. Hip-Hop has been putting in serious overtime in getting out the vote, with Chance the Rapper headlining a "Parade to the... Read more

Vic Mensa Uses 16 Shots To Say “If You Don’t Vote, Racism Wins” (Video)

In the canon of Hip-Hop music that captures the zeitgeist of American culture in 2016, Vic Mensa's "16 Shots" is as real as any song. The There's Alot Going On single was inspired by the 2014 killing of Laquan McDonald in Vic's hometown of Chicago. The 17 year-old was shot... Read more

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Climate Change Documentary Is the Most Important Film Of Our Lifetime (Video)

Many of the world's oldest civilizations include great floods in their origin myths, tales of a planet being washed away by the gods only to be reborn. For followers of Christianity, the Biblical fable of Noah's Ark is one such origin myth, and it has oftentimes been cited as proof... Read more

Vinnie Paz Declares War On The Notion That Conflict Truly Helps People (Audio)

Jedi Mind Tricks front man Vinnie Paz is releasing his third solo album, The Cornerstone of the Corner Store, this week (October 28). Within, the veteran Philly MC collaborates with the likes of Ghostface Killah, Ras Kass, and D.I.T.C.'s O.C. & A.G. tandem. Besides J.M.T. partner Stoupe The Enemy of... Read more

Joey Bada$$ Reveals His Presidential Aspirations & How Tupac Is His Greatest Influence In Life (Video)

In a recent interview with San Francisco, California's KMEL radio station, Joey Bada$$ had a lot to say. Among other things, the Brooklyn, New York artist and actor announced the abbreviated title of a new album - A.A.B.A. - which he says will be his most political body of work... Read more

Russell Simmons Has a Stern Warning About American Islamophobia (Video)

Yesterday (October 17), Russell Simmons was the special guest on The Daily Show, and the Def Jam cofounder took the opportunity to promote his work on behalf of social justice. As the chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, Simmons has, for more than a decade, worked to establish healthier... Read more

The U.S. Government Is Going to Start Tracking Violent Police Encounters

Beyond the troubling rate of frequency with which American citizens are killed by police, another piece of the complex social issue presented itself as equally confounding, for many. Earlier this year, the fact that the federal government lacked a comprehensive means of tracking officer-involved violence became more well known than... Read more

Vic Mensa Vows To Make Change In The Booth…The Voting Booth (Video)

"I'm Vic Mensa. I'm 22 and affecting change in the hood is why I vote." That's the closing statement in a video produced by Vevo's Why I Vote Campaign featuring the celebrated MC. Hailing from Chicago, Illinois Vic Mensa is a young man whose outspoken lyrics and involvement in sociopolitical... Read more

A New Documentary Examines How American Prisoners Are the New Slaves (Video)

"The 13th Amendment to the Constitution makes it unconstitutional for someone to be held as a slave. There are exceptions, including criminals." That is but one of the many powerful statements shared in the trailer for a forthcoming documentary called "13th." Directed by Selma's critically acclaimed director Ava DuVernay, it... Read more

Marshawn Lynch Makes A Profound Statement in Support of Colin Kaepernick (Video)

"I'd rather see him take a knee than stand up with his hands up and get murdered." With just those few words, spoken on last night's (September 19) episode of "Conan," Marshawn Lynch made a powerful statement in support of his NFL brethren Colin Kaepernick and other players who have... Read more

The Roots Use Ghostface Killah’s Music To Signal Hillary Clinton Is “Mighty Healthy” (Video)

Throughout their tenure on "The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon" (and previously, "Late Night..."), The Roots have had fun with their musical post. Band leader Questlove, Black Thought, Tuba Gooding, Jr., Captain Kirk Douglas and the rest of the crew have jammed with some incredible musicians, partook in more than... Read more

M.O.P.’s Billy Danze Takes His Message From Brownsville To The White House (Video)

After more than 20 years of M.O.P., Billy Danze has made the strongest solo statement of his career. "6 O'Clock Briefing" is a directional shift for the co-founder of Mash Out Possé, and First Family member. Known for speaking bluntly to the streets, the Brooklyn, New Yorker wants a meeting... Read more

Chance The Rapper Is Giving Fans The Opportunity To Register To Vote At His Shows

Currently on the road for his Magnificent Coloring World Tour, Chicago, Illinois's Chance the Rapper is using the cross-country opportunities to get directly involved in the upcoming election. Along with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the superstar MC has launched the #StayWokeAndVote campaign, which will... Read more

Patriotism For Pay: NFL Teams Were Paid by the Military to Salute the Flag (Video)

There are times - particularly in the internet era, when a story's shelf life sometimes lasts only a few hours - when news in the recent past resurfaces because it coincides perfectly with real-time events. We see it often on social media, when a years-old tweet from Donald Trump suddenly... Read more

T.I.’s New Video Re-Creates Police Killings, Making The Officers Black & The Victims White

As an MC, T.I. has had one of the most successful mainstream career trajectories. His sophomore album, 2001's Trap Musik, set the tone for the rest of the decade, and by 2010 he had the double-platinum Paper Trail under his belt. The Grammy winner's most successful singles have been largely... Read more

The NCAA Is Playing Offense & Moving Its Games Out Of North Carolina

Less than two months after the National Basketball Association announced it would be moving its 2017 All-Star Game and all related festivities out of North Carolina, the National Collegiate Athletic Association is taking a similar stand. The N.C.A.A. will be relocating all of the sports events scheduled to take place... Read more

M.O.P.’s Billy Danze Ups The Ante In A New Politically-Charged Song (Audio)

Several years ago, M.O.P.'s Lil Fame made a side project with Termanology. Billy Danze, the other half of Mash Out Posse, has never stepped out of First Family. With a long anticipated solo album on the way, "Berkowit," as the Brooklyn, New Yorker also goes by shows his unique sound.... Read more

Marc Lamont Hill Wants to Build a Society Without Police & Prisons (Video)

Marc Lamont Hill, one of the pre-eminent scholars and media personalities of his generation, arrived in Ferguson, Missouri one day after the killing of Mike Brown. It was 2014, and the 18-year-old was fatally shot by police and left in the middle of the street for more than four hours,... Read more

Run The Jewels & DJ Shadow Give New Meaning To Political Warfare (Video)

Run The Jewels has a standing reputation for incredible music videos. As independent artists, Killer Mike and El-P have been able to make bold statements that match their cutting lyrics and pounding beats. Teaming with DJ Shadow for The Mountain Will Fall single "Nobody Speak," the rep is all the... Read more

Marc Lamont Hill Believes 4 Years of Trump Would Be Good for the Revolution (Video)

Marc Lamont Hill is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native whose work in academia, activism, and television has made him one of the preeminent figures of his generation. With a résumé boasting titles such as Morehouse College Distinguished Professor of African-American Studies, CNN political commentator, BET News Correspondent, and celebrated author, Mr.... Read more

The Black Lives Matter Movement Has New Demands for Justice & Calls for Reparations

Today (August 1), many of the social-justice organizations within the civil-rights movement known as Black Lives Matter are unveiling a series of policy goals aimed at redefining and honing the movement's direction. Also being referred to as a list of demands, the platform - officially titled "A Vision For Black... Read more

Donald Trump Is Just the Start. YG Is Ready To Take On the System.

With the Democratic National Convention well underway, the November arrival of America's presidential election is nearing closer, and things are reaching a fever pitch. Many artists within the Hip-Hop community are taking to the studio and stage to record political messages for posterity, helping raise awareness and inspire entire movements.... Read more

Michael Jordan Has Made the Boldest Political Statement of His Career

Arguably the world's most iconic living athlete, Michael Jordan dominated the sport of basketball and ventured onto successful careers as a business man, film star, fashion mogul, and sports executive. Along with his prowess on the court, the branding of the Jordan image is one of the most lucrative in... Read more

Tavis Smiley Explains Why Brexit Could Mean America’s Downfall (Video)

Tavis Smiley is a celebrated journalist, interviewer, radio personality, author, and business man whose illustrious career has lasted for more than two decades. As a recent guest on Sway in the Morning, he brought to the table his insight on a far-reaching selection of topics, as his expertise is well... Read more

America’s Gun Problem Gets Broken Down & It Is Scary (Video)

It is undeniably tragic that for most Americans, gun violence is an issue that forces itself into discussion frequently. On the heels of the worst mass shooting by a lone gunman in United States history, once again the topic of access to weapons like assault rifles has reared its controversial... Read more

Pusha T & Jay Z’s Explosive Single Was Inspired By One “Appalled” TV Host

Twenty-three year-old Tomi Lahren has made a name for herself as a conservative TV broadcaster. Host of Tomi on The Blaze network caught fire earlier this year, criticizing Beyonce's Super Bowl Halftime performance of "Formation." On her show, the Rapid City, South Dakota native criticized the pop superstar and her... Read more

Minnesota’s Proposed “Prince Act” Bill Is Pulled Back

Following the April 21 death of Prince, early May legislation was drafted in Minnesota concerning the creative works of deceased artists. Introduced as The Prince Act (an acronym for The Personal Rights in Name Can Endure Act) was placed before the state's House Of Representatives and Senate to "limit outside... Read more

The Federal Government Is Telling North Carolina to Back Off in Support of LGBTQ Rights (Video)

The Tar Heel State has become a hotbed in the ongoing battle for LGBTQ rights, with particular emphasis on the "T." North Carolina legislators recently passed House Bill 2, which has colloquially been called the "Bathroom Bill," an ordinance which effectively forces transgendered men and women to use the public... Read more