Here’s a quote from emcee Boots Riley from the Bay Area rap group “The Coup” from the song “Head of State”.
A handwritten quote against a blue background which says:
“War ain’t about one land against the next, It’s poor people dying so the rich cash checks”
-Boots Riley
Dig this? Check out this quote from Toni Morrison
LaRussell & Tope (Vallejo, Ca) – Free The World 2023
I’ve been following LaRussell since 2022 after a homie suggested one of his songs. Been to the backyard, and was so grateful he spoke on this and has faced backlash because of it. Bay Area.
What is this? This series is called โStuff Iโve been listening toโ and this is my place to share music that I listen to while I work, process, decompress, and live life. Some of it is new, some old. But Iโm always listening. I share in the hopes that you will find something that inspires you. Please share with a fellow music lover. My name is Rob and Iโm an artist and author from the Bay Area.
Rebel Diaz (Bronx, NY) – 1-800 Genocide 2023
I came across Rebel Diaz originally from Chicago back in the late 2000’s. They have always spoken on social justice, politics, and revolutionary ideals and organized with real people on the ground. Mad love for them.
The Neighborhood Kids (San Diego, CA) – Biddi Bomb 2025
Belly (Ottawa, Canada) – Patience vs Patients 2024
I came to Belly very late. He’s been putting out music for a long time and the first time I heard him was through Nipsey Hussle. He’s Palestinian Canadian and his flow and critique is sharp. Listen.
MC Abdul (Palestine) – Shouting at the wall 2021
MC Abdul is one of the first emcee’s from Palestine that I heard spit in English in the literal thick of the genocide and he’s been putting out music for awhile even though he’s young!
Invincible (Israel/ Detroit) – The Emperor’s Clothes 2009
I came across Invincible through the battle rap scene and thought they were ILL which is wild because thats the name they go by. They are Jewish and spit this rhyme 16 years ago!!!!!! I discovered this song from the film “Road to Apartheid” which compares Israeli occupation to South African apartheid.
Macklemore (Seattle, WA) – Hinds Hall 2024
This song blew up last year and went viral on social media. I was aware of Macklemore because he was an underground cat from Seattle, then I heard some of his more popular radio cuts. Did not see this coming from him last year but it is an extremely powerful statement.
If you’ve heard some hip hop about or from Sudan or Congo, drop it in the comments! We need to hear about what is happening in Africa!
Eddy Mack ft Batata (Detroit, MI) – Sound of War 2023
I heard Eddy Mack (Jordanian American emcee) in 2023 like most folks because of this viral song that was a very militant stance against the attacks against Palestinian people.
Ana Tijoux (Chile/France) Feat Shadia Mansour (UK) – Somos Sur 2014
I came across Ana Tijoux in the early 2010s as part of hip hop royalty Makiza of Chile. I then met her around the same time when she dropped 1977. She is razor sharp lyrically and has a level of knowledge, critique, and creativity in global politics and hip hop that is unmatched. She’s also a really cool ass person.
Lowkey feat Frankie Boyle, Maverick Sabre, and Mai Kahlil (London, UK) – Long Live Palestine 2019
My bro Pele Durian Funk made an ILL mix of hip hop artists who’ve all made songs in support of a free Palestine back in October of 2023. On that mixtape he included a bunch of cats and Lowkey was one of them. I’d never heard of him but I soon discovered a super talented emcee and journalist who fights fiercely for the people of Palestine and working class people in Britain.
DJ Pele Durian Funk ( Bay Area) – Solidarity Forever 2023
My bro Pele (Trust Your Struggle Collective) made this mixtape of hip hop featuring pro Palestinian artists such as Native Guns, 47 Soul, and even Yo Yo Ma. Check it out.
DIG THE MUSIC? THEREโS MORE!
Ok thats it fam, if you dug this share it with a friend, comment with some musical suggestions, and if you want to support Palestinian or anti zionist organizing in the US check out:
Why Palestine? There’s been an occupation, apartheid, and genocide of Palestinian people there by Israeli government with the direct support of the US Govt and many others in the globe. Like India and Pakistan, the “middle east” or the countries of Africa being cut up by greedy people who see dollar signs its people deserve freedom, self determination, and it is a prime example of how the billionaire class is playing us all when they say they do not have enough for universal health care, affordable housing, free education, etc. We’re all being tricked and Palestine/Israel is a HUGE part of it. This goes for Congo, Sudan, and many other countries across the planet. The people (you and I) must expose the lies and get freedom for us and them together.
Was listening to this joint today from 88 and got inspired to write this down. Music is such a huge inspiration that keeps me going.
Here’s a quick process video.
Dig this? Check out this quote from Zach de La Rocha of Rage Against the Machine
This is still one of my favorite songs by The coup. In this video Boots describes “Captain Sterling’s Little Problem”, an anti war song once part of the documentary “Sir No Sir”.
Dig this? Check out this painting I did of Boots and Pam the Funkstress(RIP).
Somehow I forgot to post this video here last year. I think after Palestine and moving my brain went alesewhere but here is a video of some of my favorite art books. Check it out! Note: I define art books as mostly pictoral books exploring various generes of art such as photography, fashion design, illustration, animation, filmmaking, cooking, dance, public art, and more. its not everyone’s cup of tea as far as “art books” go, but its my absolute jam. A mix of styles, interests, and disciplies. Enjoy.
Dig this? Check out My Fav Art Books 3 or cop my first art book “Art of Rob”.
Fellow hip hop fans, what blog, radio show, video, or journalist outlet that regularly talks about hip hop culture would you like to see address what is happening in Palestine, The Sudan, Congo? I mean, there are hip hop artists making songs about this shit!
Shout to Hard Knock Radio who Iโve heard speak on it , who else? #hiphopculture #hiphopmusic #hiphopjournalism I’ve seen The Breakfast club have on Marc Lamont Hill who is outspoken in his support for Palestinian rights. But I’ve also seen them have on a pro-israeli speaker. At this point, with a budget in the literal millions to market and shape public opinion from US controlled outlets to super bowl ads-we’ve heard enough disnformation from Israel. Not nearly enough Palestinian voices. What about Sudanese or Congo MC’s? We havent heard much highlighting of them either.
Some blogs to consider, some of which who’ve touched on it, but many who have not: Complex, Hip Hop DX, Thizzler, WaxPoetics, Rap Radar, Drink Champs, Okay Player, World Star, Hot 97, Dead End Hip Hop, 247 Hip hop, who else? I’m talking about radio, blogs, Podcasts, Influencer pages, etc.
My Point: Hip hop fans could argue that cats dont know enough about what is happening to speak on it. You could argue that the industry has squeezed activism or political threat out of hip hop. But, for those who see what is happening with these wars, climate change, gentrification, etc I think we owe it to uplift. Highlight knowledge, game, news, critical thought, and hip hop artists who are speaking on it whether they’re 16 or 56 so at least newer generations can be aware of what is happening. I mean, we who are from inner cities and places of income inequality are the ones who birthed this culture. Are artists scared of speaking out? Are there none left who will speak up?
Dig this? Check out Hard Knock Radio on KPFA (my local station) or Marc Lamont Hill’s YouTube Channel.
My fam Pele Durian Funk of the Trust Your Struggle Collective just made this mix of songs in support of Palestine this past week. It features a roster of MC’s from various backgrounds.
Dig this? here’s a mix he made in the Spring of 2020. Listen.
Little Dragon (Sweden) - A Place to belong (2007)
This is the first Little Dragon song I heard from my boy Miguel. Fonky.
What is this?
This series is called “Stuff I’ve been listening to” and this is my place to share music that I listen to while I work, process, decompress, and live life. Some of it is new, some old. But I’m always listening. I share in the hopes that you will find something that inspires you. Please share with a fellow music lover.