From beats to ballots: What political rap lyrics tell us | Music

What role has hip-hop played in activism?

From the 1980s, hip-hop has essentially enabled marginalised voices to break through to the mainstream.

The song Girl (Cocaine) That’s Your Life, released by Too Short in 1985, explores the gritty reality of a woman entrenched in street culture, examining her daily struggles, difficult decisions, and the inevitable repercussions of her chosen lifestyle.

Since age thirteen what have I seen
A lotto of base heads straight coke fiends
Snorting, puffing,…