Islamic Hip Hop: A Bad Rap?

Islamic Elements in Hip Hop

Getting a Bad Rap?

Why Is This An Issue?

• Islamic elements, especially those tied to the Nation of Islam (NOI) and the Five Percenter’s splinter group have always been present in Hip Hop culture.
• As Hip Hop incorporates new cultures and locations, many of these new frontiers are encountering Islam as a religion, lifestyle and ethnic identifiers.
• Muslim influence in Hip Hop, according to various governments, depending upon its perceived message can be seen as positive (encouraging tolerance and social change,) or negative (encouraging anti-western sentiment and ideology)
• According to Suad Abdul Khabeer: Islamic (American, in this case) hip hop artists see their work as serving two particular ends: to preserve the Islamic Identity of Muslim youth and to educate non-Muslims about Islam and Muslims.
• Note: these goals are much more apparent by followers of Mainstream Islam.

Why Does This Sound Familiar?

• The long list of Muslim MC’s includes: (US) – Mos Def, Everlast, Talib Kweli, Nas, Rakim, Wu-Tang (all), Busta Rhymes, X-Clan, Public Enemy, Gangstarr, Pete Rock and CL Smooth, Mobb Deep, Paris, Ice Cube, Jurassic 5 (all), Digable Planets, The Roots, Jeru the Damaja, Jedi Mind Tricks, Lauryn Hill, (France) IAM, MC Solaar, Khaled, Raz, (UK) Fundamental, Transglobal Underground, Natacha Atlas, Aki Nawaz, (Turkey) Karakan, Cartel, Cezir, Manga

Branches of Islam

• In order to understand the messages of Muslim rappers, it is important to be aware of which branch they occupy
• Most global, (non-American) rappers follow the more orthodox and internationally recognized Sunni or Shi’ia belief sets.
• Many North American rappers adhere to Nation of Islam (NOI) beliefs or those of its Gnostic offshoot, the Five Percenters.

Sunni

• The largest traditional Islamic sect, the Sunnis follow the Sunna, or traditional Muslim law as well as the Quran. Sunnis differentiate between Mosque and State, meaning Islamic law shouldn’t necessarily be the law of the land. All races are welcome. Whites rappers Everlast and Paz (JMT) for example, are Sunnis.

Shia

• The largest traditional Islamic sect, the Sunnis follow the Sunna, or traditional Muslim law as well as the Quran. Sunnis differentiate between Mosque and State, meaning Islamic law shouldn’t necessarily be the law of the land. All races are welcome. Whites rappers Everlast and Paz (JMT) for example, are Sunnis.

Nation of Islam

• Beliefs founded by W.D. Fard in the 1930’s and passed on to Elijah Muhammad, a Chicago – based Black activist in the early 1960’s. Louis Farrakhan, the group’s controversial leader, has made public statements against Jews and Whites. Only Blacks are allowed to be members of this sect.

Five Percenters

• With their own Supreme Alphabet and Supreme Mathematics (letters and numbers are given special meaning). Five Percent was founded in 1964 by Clarence 13X, a former NOI member who believed the Black man is God. The faith has probably had more influence on rap than any other Islamic sect. Terms like: Peace, Word, Break It Down, Droppin Science, What up G and Son, are all 5 percenter terminology.

Does the Qu’ran Allow Hip Hop?

• Numerous legal Interpretations claim music is Haram, although an equal number claim that music is neutral and is good of bad depending on context.
• Some orthodox rappers claim that only positive, faith centered Hip Hop is considered Halal leading it’s rappers to be called message based.
• Others such as Native Deen only use bare instrumentals like drum loops to make their music.
• Related to the whole Haram v.s. Halal issue is: should Muslim rappers write about Haram subject matter, do endorsements for liquor companies and ally themselves with Mainstream Hip Hop. It’s a sales vs.. spirituality question.
  

East Vs. West

• Among rappers, and within the Hip Hop community, the debate over Islamic influences is fierce.
• 5 percent and NOI rappers frequently mention typical haram activities and subjects and contribute to the “bling, bitches and gats” stereotypes of the musical genre.
• More orthodox Muslims generally shun the excesses of capitalism and of Hip Hop urging greater solidarity between Americans and the global Ummah.
• Many accuse NOI and 5 percenters of polluting the faith and changing its message to a polytheistic non-Qu’ranic faith.
• NOI and 5 percenters find fault with Sunni and Shia rappers claiming their message is modern and more compatible.

Outside the U.S.

• Even more so than their American counterparts, Muslim rappers tend to be more socially critical, more engaging of social movements and more aware of their heritage.
• This is mostly because they are Native Muslims, brought up with a long familial history of religious affiliation.
• Rappers in the U.K. (Blakstone, Aki Nawaz) the Netherlands, and France have all drawn government censorship because of the potentially incendiary nature of their material.
• For many foreign rappers, the Muslim identity is a source of pride, strength and means for them to connect with their audience.
• Unlike most American Hip Hop, Hip Hop made by Muslims in Europe is explicitly marketed to Muslims or delivered as a warming to non- Muslims (dirty Kuffar)

The Next Direction

• As Islam becomes further entrenched within the American Experience, rappers will be more (and already are) willing to write Islamic centered raps and faith based subject matter. The number and quality of Islamic rap in the U.S. only continues to increase.
• Interestingly, many of the so called conscious rappers, for ex: Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common and Black Thought are all Muslim. Lyrics for good or bad tend to be more highly politicized, socially critical than their non-Muslim counterparts.
• Interestingly, American Muslim Hip Hop often is taking its clues from foreign rappers orthodox rappers.
• Islamic Hip Hop in the U.S. is becoming more Non-African American in nature as immigrant communities become more established.
• In addition, Latino Muslims are contributing a great deal to the genre especially through combined Arabic, English and Spanish albums (see M team as an example).

Conclusions

• The influence of Orthodox Islam within Hip Hop will only continue to grow.
• The central tenants of Islam as expressed through lyrics offer invaluable insight and a thoughtful alternative to “blinged out, mainstream Hip Hop”
• Hip Hop with a positive message, regardless of religious affiliation should be lauded and made heard.
• While some more political, more radical artists have advocated violent acts and subversive responses, as a musical genre, it remains a source for positive social mobilization and bridge to connect those within the Ummah.