Back in the mid 1980’s Public Enemy frontman Chuck D referred to Hip Hop music as “the black man’s CNN” for it’s ability to relay political, social, and economic views to it’s listeners. These themes were present in songs like “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Public Enemy’s “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos” and “Illegal Business” by Boogie Down Productions.

In the early 1990’s, rap music finally started to get some recognition as an art. As more and more music listeners began listening to Hip Hop music, an increasing number of artists apparently felt the need to drop the social and political aesthetics from their music in order to appeal to this new, expanded fan base. Now in the new millennium, social and political subject matter is the exception rather than the rule. Rappers know fans would rather dance in clubs to meaningless lyrics than contemplate thought-provoking, intellectual topics. As a result of this shift toward the superficial, Chuck D recently edited his statement. Now, the rap legend considers today’s Hip Hop, “the black man’s Cartoon Network.”

Enter Dead Prez.

The duo consisting of rappers M-1 and Stic.man make music “somewhere between NWA and P.E.” Their revolutionary, incendiary lyrics, inspired by the Black Panthers, Fred Hampton, and Mao Tse Tung, accurately hit on topics that affect people in their everyday lives, and light a fire of change underneath anyone who is lucky enough to hear them.

The political subjects are there from the very beginning of their debut album, Let’s Get Free. The album starts out “Wolves”, which uses an excerpt of a speech recorded over a slow, chilling beat laced with wolf howls. The speaker uses the technique used by Eskimos to hunt wolves as a metaphor for the situation of inner-city drug dealers. Its very thought provoking.

The album quickly segues into “I’m an African”, one of my favorites on the CD. The beat uses pounding drums spiked with a little bass buzz, along with many other types of percussion to help give the track a touch of African rhythms. For the lyrics, M-1 and Stic examine their existence as people of African descent living in the United States.

Another great track on the CD is “Behind Enemy Lines”. For the lyrics, the duo outlines how two different people taking very different paths can end up in jail. The first story deals with Fred Hampton Jr., an activist who was jailed for political reasons, while the second tells the tale of ‘Triple K’ a run-of-the-mill thug. They end the song expounding on the thought, “You ain’t gotta be locked up to be in prison.”

But, there’s much more than anger and revolution on Let’s Get Free. There are plenty of songs dedicated to self-improvement as well. “Be Healthy” is a short song giving tips for better eating and diet. “Discipline” is smooth Hip Hop track with a jazzy flute featuring which communicates the importance of setting priorities and organizing one’s life. Track 8, is a single called “Mind Sex” where M-1 and Stic.man challenge men and women to take relationships much further than the physical. For the lyrics they rap:

“How bout we start with a salad, a fresh bed of lettuce with croutons /
Later on we can play a game of chess on the futon /
See I ain't got to get in your blouse /
It's your eye contact that be getting me aroused /
When you show me your mind, it make me want to show you mine /
Reflecting my light when it shines, just taking our time /
Before the night's through, we could get physical too /
I ain't trying to say I don't want to f**k, cause I do /
But for me boo, making love is just as much mental /
I like to know what I'm getting into /”

Dead Prez realizes that in the music industry, folks need music to dance to as well. For these fans, they’ve put together “Hip Hop” and “It’s Bigger than Hip Hop”. Both still have subtle messages in their lyrics, it’s just that the lyrics are overshadowed by the infectious musical tracks on each of these songs. “It’s Bigger than Hip Hop” has the typical southern ‘bounce’, with a quick tempo, highly syncopated percussion, and vibrant bass. “Hip Hop” is the exact opposite, featuring a very slow tempo and a dominant, buzzing bass line. This is a classic window-rattler to bump when you’re driving. Dead Prez sneaks in some more food for thought with these raps:

“don't think these record deals gonna feed your seeds
And pay your bills because they not /
emcees get a little bit of love and think they hot /
Talking bout how much money they got /
All y'all records sound the same. I’m sick of that fake thug, R & B, rap scenario all day on the radio /
Same scenes in the video, monotonous material, y'all don't here me though /
These record labels slang our tapes like dope /
You can be next in line, and signed, and still be writing rhymes and broke /
You would rather have a Lexus, some justice, a dream or some substance? /
A Beamer, a necklace or freedom? /”

So, if commercial rap is getting to be a little too insipid and pointless to you, as it became for me a long time ago, seek out Let’s Get Free by Dead Prez. It’s a great rap album with tight music and intelligent lyrics. The fiery, thought-provoking lyrics will keep your mind working, while the stellar production by Dead Prez, Lord Jamar and Headrush definitely keeps your head nodding. Make sure that this album is in your collection.


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving