So many people do not realise how influential Hip Hop can be amongst society, and I'm talking about in a positive way. Why? Because it tends to have such a negative stereotype amongst several people. Mention Hip Hop and many think money, sex, drugs, naked women and basically all the materialistic things that only money can buy. What many do not realise is that Hip Hop actually has a huge effect on the way many young people all over the world view society as a whole.

A great example of how influential Hip Hop music has been in the last presidential elections which took place in the U.S in 2008. Barack Obama becoming the first black man to become president made history and it will definitely be a day that many will never forget.

Artists such as Young Jeezy and Jay Z played a part in influencing the younger generation to vote for him. Young Jeezy made a track called “My President” and Jay Z made his own version. In his track “On To The Next One” he even mentions the fact that he is a friend of Obama’s too, that shows us just how respected he can be amongst the younger generation. Well that’s what I think personally.

As a young black person myself, I feel if I lived in the U.S and I had no interest or knowledge of politics, music from inspirational and highly rated artists would most definitely have an effect on me. To date, artists such as Lupe Fiasco and Nas talk about real issues in the world. Nas can create a suggestion about the real view of life on the streets. Lupe focuses on the controversy around war, freedom and mainly just life as a whole, helping out with charities such as the single for the Haiti victims. Through music you can learn so much!

We can take it back to the 80s when Public Enemy made a song called "Fight the Power" and “Whatcha Gonna Do?”Influencing black people of America to fight for their rights through music was such an inspirational and successful way for them to get involved with politics to make a change. They have been described as a group that created a huge pro-Black political attitude. They made contributions to the hip-hop world with political, social and cultural consciousness.

Grand Master Flash, Run DMC and the late 2pac are also amongst the artists that made a change too. 2Pac especially as he used his talent to make people aware of the changes he wanted to make and how much he cared about the African American community.

Basically what I'm trying to say is that Hip Hop shouldn’t be perceived so negatively, people should take time to listen to these artists and realise there’s some roar talent which teaches and inspires so many people, especially the younger generation.

WORDS: Gabrielle Dadzie