This aint a dissto the Roots

-BUT:

Why does everyone include them in their "politically conscious rappers" list?

How have they had an "influence on social protest and activitism among the African American community"?

Firstly, the vast majority of their fanbase is white (actually the same can be said for all these acts, so maybe that's not that important.)

More importantly, where do they explicitly discuss social protest and activism? Although the Roots do not talk about guns, hoes, bling bling, etc., this does not mean they are activist or politically conscious. Most of their songs are basically just bragadoccio, with the occasional love song or "let's party and have a good time" song. The most explicitly activist material on their albums have been Ursula Rucker's poems.

"Episodes" and "Panic" discuss social problems, but they arent particularly analytical or activist. They are basically in the same vain as the typical "streets are rough" rap song, done by everyone from Tupac to Jay-Z to Tribe.

How do the Roots deserve to get mentioned in the same sentence as artists like Mos Def, Kweli, Common, and dead prez, all of whom explicitly discuss social and political problems and their solutions in several, or even the majority, of their work? Mos Def, Kweli, and dead prez especially have taken their music into the real world and participated in actual activism on the streets as well. The Roots have not.

As for artists you missed:

BDP (check several joints off edutainment, sex and violence, etc.) check for his role in the Hip-Hop non-violence colaition , HEAL, the Temple of Hip Hop, etc.

The Coup (Kill My Landlord)

Paris

Jungle Brothers (not very activist, but defintely very conscious. They basically set off the trend of Afrocentrism in hip hop)

Sista Souljah (she had more effect as an activist, rather than as an artist)

Peace

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Dujeous @ Bowery Ballroom
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w/Addison Groove Project &
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10PM~$13
DUJEOUS debut LP "CITY
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