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Islam and hip hop in the United States

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This article is about Islam and Hip-hop. Not to be confused with Jihadism and hip hop.

A number of hip hop artists in the United States are followers of Islam. Although some Muslims believe some or most forms of music are haram, these artists do not necessarily consider themselves as practicing orthodox Muslims.

1980s

The teachings of the Five Percent Nation[1] were extremely influential for prominent Islamic hip hop artists like Big Daddy Kane and Rakim. Founded in Harlem in the 1960s, the Five-Percent Nation was created by Clarence 13X, a former member of the Nation of Islam (NOI) who changed his name to Allah the Father. The group claims to represent the five percent of the population aware of the truth and committed to enlightening the public. The movement recognizes Black people as the original inhabitants of the Earth and emphasized the importance of obtaining knowledge of self. Adherents emphasize this constantly, referring to their fellow Black men as Gods and Black women as Earths — hence establishing the groups's other name as the Nation of Gods and Earths (NGE/NOGE). Despite drawing heavily from Islam, the Five-Percent Nation is not classified as a religion. It believes that God, rather than being separate from man as is traditionally thought in Islam, is a human, specifically a Black man. Instead, the Five-Percent Nation is generally considered a lifestyle. The Supreme Mathematics and Supreme Alphabet, believed to be a set of principles established by Allah the Father, are key concepts in the Five-Percent Nation that comprise the movement. These guides state that Five Percenters can interpret numbers and letters as cultural messages from Allah. Five Percenter teachings popularized many expressions to hip-hop and hip-hop culture such as "dropping science", "What up God," and "word is bond".

Rakim

Rakim was one of the earliest hip-hop artists to incorporate references to Islam into their work. Born William Griffin, he later became a Five Percenter, adopting the name Rakim Allah.

In his song "My Melody," with Eric B., Rakim references the Universal Language: "I drop science like a scientist/My melody's in a code"

In this verse, he references how Gods and Earths will often refer to themselves as scientists in their quest for knowledge and proof. He then describes how Five Percenters view numbers and letters as code for cultural messages from Allah.[2]

The song "R.A.K.I.M." contains a direct reference to the Islamic deity ("Allah who I praise to the fullest").[3]

Big Daddy Kane

Big Daddy Kane is also a Five Percenter,[4] having been introduced to the movement in high school. In his song "Just Rhymin' with Biz," (with Biz Markie) he states that the "Kane" in his name stands for "King Asiatic, Nobody's Equal," an allusion to the Five Percent Nation's teaching that the Original Man was an Asiatic Black man.[5] His other works also contain references to Islam and other Five Percent Nation teachings; for example, the final verse of Kane's 1988 hit "Ain't No Half-Steppin'" explicitly conveys his connection to Islam: "Hold up the peace sign, as salaam alaikum!"[6]

Later, his 1989 song "Mortal Combat" referenced the Supreme Mathematics. Kane also samples a Louis Farrakhan speech in his 1989 song "Young, Gifted, and Black."

His song "Beginning to end, from Knowledge to Born," Kane references Supreme Mathematics. According to the Supreme Mathematics, Knowledge corresponds to the number one, and Born is represented by the number nine. This then indicates that Big Daddy Kane was repeating the beginning phrase, "beginning to end", using Five Percenter terminology.

Lakim Shabazz

Lakim Shabazz was an MC during the 1980s who derived his name from the Tribe of Shabazz. Lakim Shabazz was influenced by Islam, specifically the teachings of the Five Percent Nation. His raps also reflect this, perhaps most obviously in the song "Black is Back." The song encourages African-Americans to recognize their greatness and fight for freedom, justice and equality, as is emphasized in the following lyrics:

"You say it's gonna be hard, but I'm God, I got the proof and truth, and now it's time to get loose."

Shabazz is stating that his words are the truth, as described by the teachings of the Five Percent Nation.

Afrika Islam

Afrika Islam was a prominent hip hop producer during the 1980s. He trained extensively under Afrika Bambaataa, known as the Godfather of Hip Hop, for numerous years before embarking on his individual career. Like his mentor, Afrika Islam worked heavily with the Zulu Nation,[7] an organization originally developed to use hip hop to stop violence and spread peace. As time passed, the Zulu Nation drew increasingly heavily from the Nation of Islam's teachings, sharing the organization's principles with its members.[8]

The 1990s

In the early 1990s much of hip hop music became politically charged, afrocentric, and militant in nature. Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan was praised by artists like Public Enemy while albums by Wu-Tang Clan and Busta Rhymes referenced Five Percent Nation. References to Islam in Hip-Hop music became explicit in the 1990s, and they were almost always characterized by a pairing with a quest for political and social justice.[9]

Hip-Hop Minister Conrad Tillard

Nation of Islam Minister Conrad Tillard became known as the "Hip-Hop Minister," as he both criticized hip hop lyrics, and defused potentially violent feuds between rappers.[10][11][12][13][14][15] He appears in the documentary Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes.[16] In the 1990s and early 2000s, Tillard was an outspoken critic of hip hop lyrics that he perceived as degrading and dangerous to Blacks. He said such lyrics suggested "that we are penny-chasing, Champagne-drinking, gold-teeth-wearing, modern-day Sambos, pimps and players."[17] He believed that in seeking to emulate the lyrics in gangsta rap, young Black Americans became victims of mass incarceration, violence, sexual exploitation, and drug crime.[10]

In the 1990s, he started an organization called A Movement for C.H.H.A.N.G.E. ("Conscious Hip Hop Activism Necessary for Global Empowerment"), to advocate for "conscious hip hop activism", voter registration and education, community organizing, and social empowerment for black youth.[18][19] [20][21] He criticized hip-hop lyrics that portrayed American black communities as degenerate. He also criticized the businessmen who supported that approach. He feuded with Def Jam founder Russell Simmons in 2001, accusing him of stoking violence by allowing the frequent use of words such as "nigga" and "bitch" in rap lyrics.[20][17][22]

Tillard became a fixture in hip-hop after he arranged a meeting and a truce in a feud between rising bands Wreckx-N-Effect and A Tribe Called Quest.[23][24][20] [12] Tillard also counseled Sean "Diddy" Combs during his feud with rival Suge Knight, and criticized him for what he saw as his mistreatment of Shyne Barrow.[24][20][25]

After the drive-by shooting murder of rapper Tupac Shakur in 1996, Tillard organized a "Day of Atonement" event to advocate against violent themes in hip-hop music, to promote unity, and to celebrate Shakur's life.[10] He invited rap group A Tribe Called Quest, Chuck D with Public Enemy, Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, model Bethann Hardison, actor Malik Yoba, Bad Boy Records president Sean Combs, and rapper The Notorious B.I.G. There were an estimated 2,000 attendees.[10][26][27]

Tillard also criticized the Reverend Al Sharpton and other civil rights leaders, calling them "hired guns" for not condemning rappers Sean Combs or Shyne Barrows.[28] Tillard organized another summit in Harlem at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building on 125th Street over what he perceived as negative imagery in hip hop. Def Jam Recordings founder Russell Simmons organized a counter-summit, urging the public not to "support open and aggressive critics of the hip-hop community".[11][29]

Ice Cube

Ice Cube was born in Los Angeles where he started a group called C.I.A with a friend and eventually started collaborating with Dr. Dre, with whom he later joined Eazy-E's Compton-based group called Niggaz With Attitude (N.W.A), for which his most noteworthy role was lyricist, starting with his writing the song "Straight Outta Compton" in 1988.[30]

He later started his solo debut as AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted where he started to tackle social issues like poverty, racism, and drug addiction, along with general critiques to American society. He started acting in 1991 and has appeared in many films since then.

In the early 1990s, Ice Cube converted to Islam, and when asked about his faith he stated, "I mean, what I call myself is a natural Muslim, because it's just me and God."[30] On his 1991 album Death Certificate, Ice Cube samples excerpts of a speech made by Khalid Muhammad.

Mos Def

Dante Smith was born in Brooklyn, and formed a group with his siblings called Urban Thermo Dynamics and then ventured on his own, becoming part of a hip hop collective with the Jungle Brothers and A Tribe Called Quest called "Native Tongues". Later he began to work alongside Talib Kweli as Blackstar, and his music took a sociopolitical turn.[31]

Sociopolitical hip hop gained a lot of attention in the late 1990s, and in 1999 Mos Def came out with his solo debut album Black on Both Sides. The first words spoken on this album, "Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem" translate to "In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful."

His father who was a member of Nation of Islam, and he became a part of the community of Imam Warithdeen Muhammad, son of Elijah Muhammad, the founder of Nation of Islam. "I got my first exposure to Islam when I was 13," he said. "My dad taught me how to make wudhu [the ritual ablution Muslims perform before prayer]."[31]

At 19 he took the Muslim declaration of faith, the shahada and Islam became the cornerstone of his life.[31]

Q-Tip

Jonathan Davis was born in Harlem in 1970, and in 1994, he converted to Islam and changed his name to Kamaal Ibn John Fareed.[32] Before converting he had been agnostic.[33]

He grew up in Queens where he went to school with Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Phife Dawg, and Jarobi White with whom he formed the group A Tribe Called Quest, and their debut album People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm was released in 1990. Kamaal released his debut solo album in 1999.[34]

Ali Shaheed Muhammad

Ali Shaheed Muhammad started his career along with Q-Tip in A Tribe Called Quest, later expanding into becoming a DJ and producer and later started his solo career in 2004 with his debut LP Shaheedulah and Stereotypes.[35]

"With regards to Islam, it definitely — I mean, I walk a different walk than probably a lot of different people in the industry. I'm not saying it like I'm better. I'm in no way any better or a saint, but there's — people can depend on me. They have. They do. And they call me the voice of reason. And I suppose that my faith has something to do with that."[36]

"It can rip an artist apart, because then you're under the ridicule of, "Aren't you Muslim? Don't you believe in this? What you're doing goes against" — and it's just like, "Yeah, I already know everything you're saying to me." I don't know if anyone else gets that sort of scrutiny so I do understand why people keep it to themselves."[36]

The 2000s

Freeway converted to Islam when he was 14 years old. He says, "[Islam], it's my core, it's my soul, it's my everything. He recognizes the conflicting values within the Muslim community, especially those whom believe that making music is haram. Nevertheless, he concedes that this is how he chooses to express himself and acknowledges the various paths of Muslim identity.[37]

Beanie Sigel converted to Islam early in his life and came to the faith through his knowledge of the Five Percent Nation. He often references and alludes to his faith within his lyrics, but recognizes conflicting values within their communities.[38]

Akon grew up in Senegal and was raised as a Muslim.[39]

French Montana is from Morocco and is Muslim.[40]

The Jacka was Muslim, and rapped about his faith.[41]

Sheck Wes is from Senegal and is Muslim. His hit song "Mo Bamba" was inspired by a Tijani Saint.[42][43]

Lil Durk converted once released from jail, and explains it in "Street Prayer" and "Viral Moment."

References

  1. ^ "The Five Percent Nation: A Brief History Lesson". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
  2. ^ Eric B. & Rakim – My Melody, retrieved 2023-04-18
  3. ^ Rakim – R.A.K.I.M., retrieved 2023-04-18
  4. ^ "8 Rap Lyrics That Use Five-Percent Nation Language". Vibe. 2014-04-22. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
  5. ^ Big Daddy Kane (Ft. Biz Markie) – Just Rhymin' with Biz, retrieved 2023-04-18
  6. ^ Big Daddy Kane – Ain't No Half-Steppin', retrieved 2023-04-18
  7. ^ "'Rebel Music': When Hip-Hop Met Islam". NPR.org. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
  8. ^ Keyes, Cheryl Lynette (2004). Rap Music and Street Consciousness. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-07201-7.
  9. ^ "Hip-Hop History Tuesdays: Overview of 1990's Hip-Hop". Amoeblog. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
  10. ^ a b c d Trumaine W. Mitchell (June 16, 2020). "The Underclass Culture Wars: Underclass Ideology And Neoliberalism In The Era Of Gangsta Rap Censorship, 1993-2000," Theses and Dissertations.
  11. ^ a b David M. Newman, Jodi O'Brien (2008). Sociology; Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life Readings.
  12. ^ a b Paul DeBenedetto (May 23, 2013). "Former "Hip-Hop Minister" Continues Evolution With City Council Run". DNAinfo New York. Archived from the original on January 11, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  13. ^ Rahiel Tesfamariam (March 15, 2013). "Superman isn't coming: Grassroots efforts to end urban violence," The Washington Post.
  14. ^ "Conrad Tillard - From hip hop minister to community reverend". New York Amsterdam News. April 12, 2011.
  15. ^ Conrad B. Tillard Sr. (August 19, 2022). "From The Hip-Hop Minister to The State Senator: I Have Grown But Kept My Integrity!". New York Amsterdam News.
  16. ^ "A Look at Hip-Hop, 'Beyond Beats and Rhymes'". NPR.org.
  17. ^ a b Feuer, Alan (June 16, 2003). "Keeping the Faith, Differently; A Harlem Firebrand Quietly Returns to Christianity". The New York Times.
  18. ^ Manning Marable (2002). The great wells of democracy: the meaning of race in American life
  19. ^ Brown, Ann (August 17, 2022). "New York City Mayor Cop Eric Adams Endorses Conrad Tillard For State Senator, Cites 30 Years of Community Activism". Moguldom.
  20. ^ a b c d "Will "Hiphop Minister" Conrad Muhammad Go from N.O.I. to G.O.P.?". New York Press. February 16, 2015.
  21. ^ Peter, Noel (September 1, 1998). "Escape from the Nation of Islam". The Village Voice. Retrieved August 19, 2002.
  22. ^ Yvonne Bynoe (2006). Encyclopedia of Rap and Hip-hop Culture
  23. ^ Sacha Jenkins, Elliott Wilson, Gabe Alvarez, Jeff Mao, Brent Rollins (2014). "Hit 'em up," Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists
  24. ^ a b D.L. Chandler (May 23, 2013). "Former "Hip-Hop Minister" Running For NYC Council Seat". HipHopWired.
  25. ^ Mark Curry (2009). Dancing with the Devil; How Puff Burned the Bad Boys of Hip-hop
  26. ^ Tupac; A Thug Life, Plexus Publishing Limited, 2019.
  27. ^ "The Notorious B.I.G.-summit". The New York Daily News.
  28. ^ Peter Noel (January 9, 2001). "Taking the Rap". The Village Voice.
  29. ^ George, Robert (May 8, 2001). "THE NEW HIP-HOP FEUD: BATTLE LINES ARE BEING DRAWN IN THE EFFORT TO CLEAN UP RAP". The New York Post. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  30. ^ a b "Ice Cube - Biography - Amoeba Music". amoeba.com. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
  31. ^ a b c "You're Gonna Serve Somebody". beliefnet.com. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
  32. ^ Cowie, Del F (January 23, 2008). "A Tribe Called Quest – Verses From the Abstract". Exclaim!. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  33. ^ Collins, Hattie (2008-11-15). "Hattie Collins talks to rapper Q-Tip". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-01-29.
  34. ^ "Q-Tip". Biography.com. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
  35. ^ "Ali Shaheed". Ali Shaheed. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
  36. ^ a b "Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Part 1: 'I Walk A Different Walk'". NPR.org. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
  37. ^ "Freeway Explains How He Balances Music and Islam". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
  38. ^ "Freeway, Beanie Sigel Talk Islam, Religious Practices". HipHopDX. 2009-05-08. Retrieved 2020-01-29.
  39. ^ "Biography of Akon bio, history, career, evolution, music, Rap Hip Hop". akonweb.yaia.com. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
  40. ^ "How do young Muslims feel when rappers reference Islam?". theface.com/music. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
  41. ^ "The Jacka, Bay Area Rap Hero, Dead at 37". Rolling Stone. 3 February 2015.
  42. ^ "Sheck Wes Says "Mo Bamba" Was Partially Inspired By An Islamic Saint". Genius. Retrieved 2020-11-22.
  43. ^ "Sheck Wes Wants to Be the First Rapper/Model/NBA Star/Nobel Prize Winner in History". Pitchfork. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 2020-11-22.
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