Rap and the addressing
of the 10%
The 10%
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Many rappers preach against the corruption of power seen by the police and politicians within the modern world. An example of this is with police brutality, an issue concerning primarily people of colour. The 5% nation believes it is these people of power who abuse it that make up the 10% of the nation. And as these forces continue to rise, so does the prominence of the 5% philosophy within mediums such as rap music.
The challenging of the 10% by rappers of the past
Tupac has been one of the most influential rappers in American history, speaking out about issues regarding injustice, poverty and violence against the black community. Although Tupac never personally identified with the five-percent nation, he strongly supported black nationalism and his lyrics reflect many of the views taken on of the 10% by the five percent nation. In the song "Letter 2 the president" Tupac writes "I guess it's cause were black that we targets" "so why don't you help a n*@#$ out? Saying your cutting welfare that got us n*@#z on the street thinking who the hell cares?". Both these lyrics look at the neglecting of the black community by the president himself. As someone who holds powers but continues to neglect the people he is what the 5% nation would consider the 10%
The challenging of the 10% by rappers of today
The legacy of rap continues to live on in rappers today. Rappers like The Game continue to speak out against issues regarding the 10% and the rest of the nation. In his song "Better days" The Game similarly to Tupac addresses the I conditions of living in underprivileged areas. He says in the song "i'm thinkin 'bout my sons safety every time they leave the house". He also addresses the president in this song saying "We got a new president and I love the new black but imma ask him like bush "where our soldiers at?" ". Game clearly addressed political issues both in talking about ghetto areas as well as in addressing the president himself.
