Hip-hop. Oh, how we love it. And yet it is difficult for parents to come to terms that today’s hip-hop is not the same stuff they grew up on. Lets face it, the days of fun and frivolous rap is mostly over, yet the addictive nature of hip-hop cannot be denied so why not get in there and control the narrative? There are plenty rappers that you can offer up to the kids to avert negativity and infuse a different idea into their young minds. Here are 5 acts to consider instead of what is rotating on the radio. I will periodically offer up more artists that are cool for the kids…and adults. MC’s are out there and the only way for us to change the landscape of music is to support these acts. Here we go with some kid-friendly hip-hop:
Talib Kweli
Where to find him: talibkweli.com
Talib is the man these days. In a world of party and BS, he still comes to the table with a message. He recently took his message to the good people of Ferguson, MO and that’s indicative of the sort of artist he is. Last year, he dropped Gravitas a great effort that I think was underappreciated for how good it was. I took my daughter to meet him at the Apple Store in SoHo and he was awesome. More recently, when she saw the flyer for a concert in Ferguson, she yelped, “That’s Talib Kweli!” He’s got gems intertwined within his dense, lyrics songs – a gift that keeps on giving.
Common
Where to find him: thinkcommon.com
As far as kids are concerned, Common is similar to Talib. I’d say the Chi Town rapper would require a bit of curating if you were to examine his whole catalog. He still gets raw on the mic. Still, Common is a thought leader in Hip-Hop and he deserves a mention particularly if you’re kids are older. Common has examined everything from abortion to Assata Shakur to his love of Black women. One of the best to ever do it, comb through his albums and create a playlist that you can share with the young ones. Not every rapper gets to perform for the president like Common did for Obama.
Dee-1
Where to find him: dee1music.com
Dee-1 one is a friend of mine and we have shared the stage on a number of events from panels to shows. He’s a former teacher so you already know he’s got an innate responsibility in place to serve the people. Those internal mechanisms are evident in his music through and through. He’s unafraid to challenge the way things are, but also can win anybody over with his smile. Check him out.
Sa Roc
Where to find her: sarocthemc.com
Sa Roc is representing for the ladies, Hip-Hop and spirituality that is missing from commercial rap music. However, Sa Roc is pushing harder than most rappers, fully invested in spreading her message. The Washington DC native recently released a new project called NEBUCHADNEZZAR this year and it is a perfect display of her talents. Her primary influences are Earth, Wind and Fire, Jimi Hendrix and the late poet Gil Scott Heron so you know she brings the head in rhyme form. My daughter and I listen to her latest quite a bit and its a great way to keep her in tune with other females in rap. Get to know her.
LeCrae
Where to find him: Reach Records
Christian Hip-Hop is not the stuff from back in the day. Lets keep it real: it was corny. These days, rappers with a penchant for the spiritual are actually closer to old school, purist Hip-Hop than actual modern rap music. Why? Generally, it is void of profanity, it has positive, uplifting messages and the rappers are lyrical. My daughter happens to love the rapper LeCrae and he’s got a huge international following. He’s dope as an artist and continually inspires without sounding too preachy preachy. He is the leader in this genre, but there are many others MC’s of a similar sort. In fact, many of them are signed to his Reach Records.
