HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT…

Preview from the June 2008 issue of Rock & Rap Confidential

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT…
by Danny Alexander, Associate Editor

“Hip-hop needs to find the next subject. Politics and social stuff—those are going to be the next real subjects groups get into.”—George Clinton, Detroit Free Press, summer 2007

Too many in the hip hop audience accept the big lie promoted by opportunist preachers and politicians that hip-hop is only about madness and misogyny. The truth is very different. There are many, many hip-hop songs reaching millions of people which carry a message of unity, songs whose protests and promise promote a vision of a world without war, poverty, and racism. The truth here should set us free, free of false divisions between mainstream and underground, between bling bling and backpack.

Let us know what we've missed.

"Black and Brown," Xzibit—"80% of inmates are black and Hispanic/They're trying to wipe us off of this planet/Dammit….That's why we've got to sit down/And talk about the black and the brown." A love song to brothers thrown against brothers in Los Angeles, nationwide and worldwide, with a dream of what could happen if we learned to focus on our real enemy.

"Concrete Jungle," Jim Jones, featuring Max B, Rell, Dr. Ben Chavis and Noe—There's power to Jones's shout out to his "political soldiers" behind bars—without romanticizing the streets, he’s dreaming of the world that can come out of making the culture of those streets work for us.

"Do Your Time," Ludacris with Beanie Siegel and C-Murder—A roll call of friends and loved ones locked down by a justice system "fucked up," bolstered by details of life behind bars, suggestions for how to support these brothers and sisters and contemplating what MLK would think of how far we have to go.

"Georgia Bush," Lil' Wayne—Sums up the first year after Katrina, calling the President out for ongoing genocide. A sample of Ray Charles's "Georgia" not only emasculates the president but restores the power of that refrain free of nostalgia.

"Ghetto, Arab Remix," Ali B featuring Yes-R & Akon—This call for worldwide unity features Morrocan rappers Ali-B and Yes-R joined by R&B singer Akon, who has his own roots both in St. Louis and West Africa.

For the full listing please check out the June edition of Rock & Rap Confidential at www.rockrap.com.