Arguably the best hip-hop lyricist of all time, the late and legendary Tupac Shakur was born to Afeni Shakur and Billy Garland, who were both active members of the Black Panther Party in its prime. Afeni was charged with multiple felonies during the late ‘60s for allegedly conspiring to bomb public places in New York. All of the charges were later dropped.
M.I.A.
The British dance and electronica artist M.I.A, who has been nominated for both Grammy and Academy awards, is the daughter of former activist Arul Pragasam. As one of the founding members of the Eelam Revolutionary Organisation of Students (EROS), Arul was actively involved in the Tamil independence movements in the 1970s.
Mario Van Peebles
One of Hollywood’s most prolific actors, Mario is the son of famed director Melvin Van Peebles, who is widely known for his blaxploitation film Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song. Melvin is not only a celebrated director, screenwriter and playwright but also continues to be involved in social and political activism.
Kanye West
A hip-hop icon who continues to keep the musical genre vibrant, fresh and relevant, Kanye is well known for being outspoken and for voicing what’s on his mind. Of course, much of this confidence comes from his mother, the late Dr. Donda West, as he has expressed. But Kanye’s father, Ray West, who was a former Black Panther and one of the first photojournalists for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, may have also played a part.
