Is there any Hip-Hop that does not have to do with guns, drugs, bling and thug life?

Question

Positive Hip-Hop is it out there?

Answer 1

Yes. These are just those I can think of at the moment: Nas, the Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy, De La Soul, Grandmaster Flash, Common, The Roots, Run-D.M.C., Eminem, Immortal Technique, A Tribe Called Quest, Ras Kass, KRS-One, Slick Rick, The Coup, Eric B. & Rakim, dead prez, Bigg Jus, Def Jef, Mos Def, Jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah, The Pharcyde, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Gang Starr, Kanye West, The Last Poets, Arrested Development, Guru, Cannibal Ox, El-P, The Beastie Boys, and many, many more.

Just look, and you'll find hundreds. It's weird that some people seem to think that Kanye West is the only hip-hop artist who doesn't talk solely about gangsters and bling. (Note: Some of the artists and groups mentioned above aren't exactly what you would call 'positive', some just don't rap about the same kinds of things that most mainstream hip-hop artists do.)

Answer 2

Common, A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang Clan (sometimes), Kanye West, Nas (check out his new cd), Masterminds, Beastie Boys, The Visionaries, Lady Sovereign (not that great, but not bad), Lupe Fiasco, Eric B. and Rakim, Crown City Rockers, and a lot more.........actually, there's a lot of really good hip-hop groups. The stereotpye is really horrible though, but i can see why you think all of this crap they play on tv, the ones that rap about "ice/bling" and cappin "haters", is hip-hop. That's what you've been raised to see as being "hip-hop". It's so much more

Answer 3

Well there was Will Smith but he's old now...Common is better than the ganster crap, but he sold out with the "Peace Love and Gap" commericals. Plus Common's stuff was sexually, um, charged. Old Eric B and Rakhim was good but you might think it's too, superficial with regards to MONEY.

Kayne West and Nas have some positive songs but they are NOT GOOD ROLE MODELS. I can't believe how many people think Kanye West is a good role model....I'm laughing out LOUD. Wait for the next MTV hissy fit for not getting an award....plllleeeease....go get the baby his bottle. Oh and ask Nas how sexy his wife is "that her milkshake brings all the boys to the yard..." Oh yeah that's good, lol....great role model there. Plus all the peeps that talk about my girls Jill Scott, Sunshine Anderson et al are neo-soul, which is good but I think you asked for HIP HOP. I love Erika Badu, but she's not HIP HOP. C'mon PEOPLE....I'm still laughing at Kanye West....

I would check under Contemporary Christian Music....there actually is Christian Hip Hop, or the more strange sounding, Christian Rap. I know it sounds like BS but it's out there. Do a search and look particularly at the small record labels. It's the same thing for Heavy Metal. The only Christian Metal band people know is Stryper, but there are lots more out there.

The small labels are going to have it, the mom and pop record stores, because the big boi's have only interest in what sells, which is Em and Em clones. The whole "F the world attitude" which caused Punk music to DIE will infect hip hop unless bands with real talent stand up. I like the roots and tribe called quest, but they might not be for you because of the language.

Support what you like and the rest will follow...

Peace,
B

Answer 4

Lupe Fiasco I like this one and Try Common

Daydreamin'"
(feat. Jill Scott)

Daydream
I fell asleep beneath the flowers
For a couple of hours
On a beautiful day
Daydream
I dream of you amid the flowers
For a couple of hours
Such a beautiful day

[Lupe Fiasco]
As I spy from behind my giant robot's eyes
I keep him happy 'cause I might fall out if he cries
Scared of heights so I might pass out if he flies
Keep him on autopilot 'cause I can't drive
Room enough for one I tell my homies they can't ride
Unless they sittin on the shoulders but that's way too high
Let's try not to step on the children
The news cameras filmin
This walkin project buildin
Now there's hoes sellin hoes like right around the toes
And the crackheads beg at about the lower leg
There's crooked police that's stationed at the knees
And they do drive-bys like up and down the thighs
And there's a car chase goin on at the waist
Keep a vest on my chest
I'm sittin in my room as I'm lookin out the face
Somethin to write about
I still got some damage from fightin the whitehouse, just a

Daydream
I fell asleep beneath the flowers
For a couple of hours
On a beautiful day
Daydream
I dream of you amid the flowers
For a couple of hours
Such a beautiful day

[Lupe Fiasco]
Now come on everybody, let's make cocaine cool
We need a few more half naked women up in the pool
And hold this MAC-10 that's all covered in jewels
And can you please put your titties closer to the 22s?
And where's the champagne? We need champagne
Now look as hard as you can with this blunt in your hand
And now hold up your chain slow motion through the flames
Now cue the smoke machines and the simulated rain
But not too loud 'cause the baby's sleepin
I wonder if it knows what the world is keepin
Up both sleeves while he lay there dreamin
Me and my robot tip-toe 'round creepin
I had to turn my back on what got you paid
I couldn't see half the hood on me like Abu Ghraib
But I'd like to thank the streets that drove me crazy
And all the televisions out there that raised me, I was

Daydream
I fell asleep beneath the flowers
For a couple of hours
On a beautiful day
Daydream
I dream of you amid the flowers
For a couple of hours
Such a beautiful day

Daydream
I fell asleep beneath the flowers
For a couple of hours
On a beautiful day
Daydream
I dream of you amid the flowers
For a couple of hours
Such a beautiful day

Answer 5

Lupe Fiasco, and a little older but Mos Def also. Other positive hip hop includes alot of David Banner. His singles were about that but he has lots of positive.

Answer 6

You should try DC talk. Its for christians. Or just dont listen to hip hop. Ask yourself "Might I be racist and closed minded?" Also try Black Star or for newer hip hop The Roots and Common.

Answer 7

Kanye West

Answer 8

Swing-Savage imma shine-youngbloodz bypass no longer common or bypass domicile-E-40 Feat. The Federation can not Wait-Mistah F.A.B.(feat. Dogwood) tell Me-Diddy feat. Christina Aguilera teach me tha money-petey pablo Baydestrian-Mistah F.A.B. tell Me while to bypass-E40 feet. Keak Da Sneak Snap Ya hands-Lil Jon What You Gonna Do-Lil Jon & The East edge Boyz Feat. Lil Scrappy Get Crunk-Lil Jon and the Eastside Boys grimy-Lil John & Twista

Answer 9

Common
http://www.common-music.com/
Jill Scott
http://www.jillscott.com/
Kanye
http://www.kanyewest.com/

And many many more... Hip-hop is a beautiful genre. If you feel like "Why does it all have to be about this gansta sh**?!?" listen to this and grin:
'Your Revolution Will Not Happen Between These Thighs' by Sarah Jones
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=03/04/07/0316246
_

Answer 10

Common Sense, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Lupe Fiasco, if you like old skool, try The Fugees, Lauryn Hill, Dead Prez, you'll find it!! It is out there . . . I'm glad someone else is tired of this fake thuggin' and blingin'.