--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think hip-hop could help rebuild…" description: "\"I think hip-hop could help rebuild America, once hip-hoppers own hip-hop... We are our own politicians, our own government, we have something to say. W..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/390/nas-650_america_i-think-hip-hop-could-help-rebuild-ameri_1995428.jpg" --- # I think hip-hop could help rebuild America, once… ![“I think hip-hop could help rebuild America, once hip-hoppers own hip-hop... We are our own politicians, our own government, we have something to say. We're warriors. Soldiers.” quote by Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/390/nas-650_america_i-think-hip-hop-could-help-rebuild-ameri_1995428.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/390/nas-650_america_i-think-hip-hop-could-help-rebuild-ameri_1995428.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/390/nas-650_america_i-think-hip-hop-could-help-rebuild-ameri_1995428.jpg) > “I think hip-hop could help rebuild America, once hip-hoppers own hip-hop... We are our own politicians, our own government, we have something to say. We're warriors. Soldiers.” [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Hip‑hop can empower communities by giving them a voice and political agency. **In simple terms:** Music can empower communities. Key Takeaway Support hip‑hop as a platform for change. Themes culture politics empowerment Mood inspirational defiant Type political cultural When to use this quote - community organizing - youth programs - media campaigns Key Concepts social movements artistic expression Questions to Reflect On - What role can artists play in politics? - How can hip‑hop influence policy? A Different Perspective Hip‑hop’s impact depends on broader systemic support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [America Hip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america-hip-1403202/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Hip hop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hip-hop/) [Hip Hoppers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hip-hoppers-1785532/) [Hips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hips/) [Hoppers Hip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hoppers-hip-3482232/) [Hops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hops/) [Politician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politician/) [Politicians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politicians/) [Rapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rapper/) [Rebuild America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rebuild-america-1282278/) [Soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldier/) [Think Hip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-hip-330542/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warrior/) ## Related quotes > [I turned a lot of people in white America - and not just white America, but middle-class America - into hip-hoppers, you know?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanilla-ice/i-turned-a-lot-of-people-in-white-america-and-not-just-white-america/) [Vanilla Ice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanilla-ice/) > [I think hip hop allows us to talk about everything, and Africa is what I choose to talk about now. If people are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-hip-hop-allows-us-to-talk-about-everything-and-africa-is-what/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Dance music was really leading the way in the U.K., Europe and Australia. America was always about hip-hop and R&B.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tydi/dance-music-was-really-leading-the-way-in-the-u-k-europe-and/) [TyDi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tydi/) > [I think hip-hop can be prophetic and progressive, and at the same time, the dominant forms tend to be homophobic, misogynistic and something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/i-think-hip-hop-can-be-prophetic-and-progressive-and-at-the-same-time/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [I think hip-hop needs a little bit of diversity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phife-dawg/i-think-hip-hop-needs-a-little-bit-of-diversity/) [Phife Dawg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phife-dawg/) > [I think hip-hop is really fun right now... and that's why people are using dance beats and singing more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wiz-khalifa/i-think-hip-hop-is-really-fun-right-now-and-that-s-why-people-are/) [Wiz Khalifa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wiz-khalifa/) > [I think when hip hop first started, people were open to it, and groups like Public Enemy and there was groups like Poor Righteous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-cube/i-think-when-hip-hop-first-started-people-were-open-to-it-and-groups/) [Ice Cube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-cube/) > [I think of hip hop as a mass media, radio, MTV thing. It’s been extremely relevant over the last 10 years and rock music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/win-butler/i-think-of-hip-hop-as-a-mass-media-radio-mtv-thing-it-s-been/) [Win Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/win-butler/) > [I'm not a poster boy for misogyny and I don't think hip-hop should be either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bakari-kitwana/i-m-not-a-poster-boy-for-misogyny-and-i-don-t-think-hip-hop-should-be/) [Bakari Kitwana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bakari-kitwana/) > [Hip-hoppers are not interpreting what hip-hop is, and when we do interpret it, we interpret it as something immature, unorganized, and outlaw.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krs-one/hip-hoppers-are-not-interpreting-what-hip-hop-is-and-when-we-do/) [KRS-One](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krs-one/) > [When I say hip-hoppers, I mean black, white, Asian, Latino, Chicano, everybody. Everybody. Hip-hop has united all races. Hip-hop has formed a platform for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krs-one/when-i-say-hip-hoppers-i-mean-black-white-asian-latino-chicano/) [KRS-One](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krs-one/) > [There are a lot of hip-hoppers who play golf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scarface/there-are-a-lot-of-hip-hoppers-who-play-golf/) [Scarface](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scarface/) > [I find it fascinating how hip hop as a culture mirrors every mythology from the beginning of mythology. The concept of the single mother…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krs-one/i-find-it-fascinating-how-hip-hop-as-a-culture-mirrors-every/) [KRS-One](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krs-one/) > [I think ultimately Obama's ability to rebuild America's image in the world will depend less on his personal good will and more his ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-beinart/i-think-ultimately-obama-s-ability-to-rebuild-america-s-image-in-the/) [Peter Beinart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-beinart/) > [Our economy is broken. I'm not a politician, but neither is Donald Trump. He is a builder, and it's time to rebuild America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-thiel/our-economy-is-broken-i-m-not-a-politician-but-neither-is-donald/) [Peter Thiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-thiel/) ## More by Nas > [I need the best things in life, that's women, thats cars. Cigars in Venice, bottle on ice, thats priceless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-need-the-best-things-in-life-that-s-women-thats-cars-cigars-in/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I had a pretty public divorce. They're not easy - divorces - and it took me a long time to really get through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-had-a-pretty-public-divorce-they-re-not-easy-divorces-and-it-took/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [If you scared to take chances, you'll never have the answers...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/if-you-scared-to-take-chances-you-ll-never-have-the-answers/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Read more learn more, change the globe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/read-more-learn-more-change-the-globe/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I think hip hop allows us to talk about everything, and Africa is what I choose to talk about now. If people are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-hip-hop-allows-us-to-talk-about-everything-and-africa-is-what/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Life is short is what some n\* said, not if you measure life - by how one lives and what he did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/life-is-short-is-what-some-n-said-not-if-you-measure-life-by-how-one/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Calling Michelle 'Obama Barack's baby mama?' Tell me, is that acceptable? But the Obamas aren't the only targets. Fox's pattern of race-baiting and fear-mongering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/calling-michelle-obama-barack-s-baby-mama-tell-me-is-that-acceptable/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [With age comes common sense and wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/with-age-comes-common-sense-and-wisdom/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [It's foul what this money could do, cash corrupts the loyal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/it-s-foul-what-this-money-could-do-cash-corrupts-the-loyal/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [This morning I got a call, nearly split my wig. This social network said Nas go and get your kid. She's on Twitter, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/this-morning-i-got-a-call-nearly-split-my-wig-this-social-network/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I want to sound like an instrument. I want my voice and my words to marry the beat. I go with the rhythm of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-want-to-sound-like-an-instrument-i-want-my-voice-and-my-words-to/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [There needs to be structures in place to do something about misrepresentation about hip hop. When awards are given out and the media talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/there-needs-to-be-structures-in-place-to-do-something-about/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I've learned not to be surprised by what people do no more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-ve-learned-not-to-be-surprised-by-what-people-do-no-more/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [Nasty Nas Enterprises, mastermind, made men. My success symbolizes loyalty, great friends. Dedication, hard work, routine builds character. In a world full of snakes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/nasty-nas-enterprises-mastermind-made-men-my-success-symbolizes/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) [Explore all 427 Nas quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/) [Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/) > [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/) [Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/) > [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/) [Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) [Browse all 20,382 America quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think hip-hop could help rebuild America, once hip-hoppers own hip-hop... We are our own politicians, our own government, we have something to say. We're warriors. 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