Audience Quote by Michael Franti

Hip-hop music has done a very good job of maintaining the political context, where they stand and not giving a sh-t what people think.

— Conor Oberst

Well, a lot of people within government and big business are nervous of Hip Hop and Hip Hop artists, because they speak their minds.…

— Afrika Bambaataa

You have to look at the fact that Hip Hop is under attack. It's not just Hip Hop but Black people, Latino people and…

— Afrika Bambaataa

People underestimate hip-hop the way they have sometimes underestimated comic books.

— Cheo Hodari Coker

Hip-hop can be a very closed-off community. Sometimes these barriers are demographic but it can be musical, too.

— Prefuse 73

I think hip-hop has always been political because this is a community that doesn't have any other choice.

— Ari Melber

Well, let me say this. It's ignorance. We have been lead as the hip hop generation. We have been once again lead by people…

— MC Hammer

I think hip-hop is actually one of the most challenging things that's happened in music in a long time. The people who are in…

— Mos Def

Which is the other reason hip-hop is controversial: People don't bother trying to get it. The problem isn't in the rap or the rapper…

— Jay-Z

My main concern is that there is a balance in the system and that some art-based hip-hop can get out to the masses, 'cause…

— Black Thought

Hip hop music is important precisely because it sheds light on contemporary politics, history, and race. At its best, hip hop gives voice to…

— Michael Eric Dyson

All music now is influenced by Hip Hop. It's so deeply ingrained in the culture.

— Aeriel Miranda