Seems like a good theme song to go along with my book's cover where Hayek and a rapper tell the mainstream economorons to step aside. I'm not surprised that we are seeing, and will continue to see, a marriage between libertarianism and rap/hip-hop culture. The Hip-Hop mindset is very individualistic/libertarian and combative/rebellious. The perfect mindset for the intellectual revolution we are in the middle of. Any moment now someone like a lil wayne will stumble upon a basic understanding of economics and we could be just a few months away from libertarian nirvana. I'm actually surprised it didn't happen in 2008. A conscious effort on the part of influential libertarians to reach/educate influential rappers would be awesome I think.
I've been thinking the same thing for couple of years now, about hip hop culture having much in common with libertarianism. Glad to hear someone else was thinking the same.
I'm not sure how economically libertarian Lupe Fiasco is, but he seems to be for the most part anti-state and anti-war "I really think the war on terror is a bunch of bullshit... 9/11 Building 7 did they really pull it?... I'm a part of the problem, the problem is I'm peaceful"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiqWhbWg6lM
He also thinks Barack Obama is a war criminal, which any good libertarian would agree with.
Lupe is more "economically libertarian" than he is economically literate (I don't mean that as an insult). If he thinks much about economics, he doesn't talk about it much. He is a non-voting anarchist who talks mostly about power relationships.
If you've never seen the video for that song, it's here.
While were on the subject of libertarianism and hip hop, that song was also sampled for Lowkey's, Obama Nation Part 2.
That song features another artist, M-1 of Dead Prez, who has been evolving in the right direction over the last decade. Here he is with Shadia Mansour.
Locksmith is a bay area artist whose lyrics are full of political content.
REKS' new album (REBELutionary) even has a track called "War is a Racket (The Smedley Butler Interlude)".
This UK rapper (Akala) seems to have a good grasp on a number of economic, political and social topics:
http://youtu.be/sEOKgjoxoto
He even touches monetary policy: "If we understood economics, we'd know money's nothing, think nothing of it. Money is a means to get wealth, not the wealth itself."
I will just point out that Lupe Fiasco is a Muslim anarchist. There's not very many Islamic anarchists out there. However, of the six or so Muslim anarchy advocates out there, at least one of them (that is, Davi Barker) is an anarcho-capitalist...I'm not really familiar with any of the other Muslim anarchists, so I don't know where they stand on the libertarian issue. It's hard to say what views Fiasco has, but it is at least probable that he is a Left Rothbardian or something of that sort.
Here is the original.
ReplyDeleteIn other hip hop news, Brother Ali's new album is coming.
Seems like a good theme song to go along with my book's cover where Hayek and a rapper tell the mainstream economorons to step aside. I'm not surprised that we are seeing, and will continue to see, a marriage between libertarianism and rap/hip-hop culture. The Hip-Hop mindset is very individualistic/libertarian and combative/rebellious. The perfect mindset for the intellectual revolution we are in the middle of. Any moment now someone like a lil wayne will stumble upon a basic understanding of economics and we could be just a few months away from libertarian nirvana. I'm actually surprised it didn't happen in 2008. A conscious effort on the part of influential libertarians to reach/educate influential rappers would be awesome I think.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking the same thing for couple of years now, about hip hop culture having much in common with libertarianism. Glad to hear someone else was thinking the same.
DeleteAlso, check this song (not rap) featuring excerpts from Rothbard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEGyTTaRpj0
Delete(Robert posted this months back)
I'm not sure how economically libertarian Lupe Fiasco is, but he seems to be for the most part anti-state and anti-war "I really think the war on terror is a bunch of bullshit... 9/11 Building 7 did they really pull it?... I'm a part of the problem, the problem is I'm peaceful"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiqWhbWg6lM
He also thinks Barack Obama is a war criminal, which any good libertarian would agree with.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ojNvC5DuWg
Lupe is more "economically libertarian" than he is economically literate (I don't mean that as an insult). If he thinks much about economics, he doesn't talk about it much. He is a non-voting anarchist who talks mostly about power relationships.
DeleteIf you've never seen the video for that song, it's here.
While were on the subject of libertarianism and hip hop, that song was also sampled for Lowkey's, Obama Nation Part 2.
That song features another artist, M-1 of Dead Prez, who has been evolving in the right direction over the last decade. Here he is with Shadia Mansour.
Locksmith is a bay area artist whose lyrics are full of political content.
REKS' new album (REBELutionary) even has a track called "War is a Racket (The Smedley Butler Interlude)".
Of course, Pharoahe Monch and Immortal Technique (from the W.A.R. -- We Are Renegades album which can be streamed online here).
And don't forget what the late Adam Yauch (MCA) was saying way back in 1998.
And if you need help with your commenting at EPJ, Mac Lethal can help you out.
Simon says, get the f'up and listen to Pharoahe Monch! Now girls... yeah I said it.
DeleteLove the ending!
ReplyDeleteThis UK rapper (Akala) seems to have a good grasp on a number of economic, political and social topics:
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/sEOKgjoxoto
He even touches monetary policy: "If we understood economics, we'd know money's nothing, think nothing of it. Money is a means to get wealth, not the wealth itself."
Can't forget Ill Bill and Vinnie Paz if politically charged rap is being posted:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E95LXUAkcwM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf9W6cOtB7k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SniFXIo8ayc
I will just point out that Lupe Fiasco is a Muslim anarchist. There's not very many Islamic anarchists out there. However, of the six or so Muslim anarchy advocates out there, at least one of them (that is, Davi Barker) is an anarcho-capitalist...I'm not really familiar with any of the other Muslim anarchists, so I don't know where they stand on the libertarian issue. It's hard to say what views Fiasco has, but it is at least probable that he is a Left Rothbardian or something of that sort.
ReplyDelete