Where are the black leaders in hip hop? A question that has been asked repeatedly within the last few months, and many still have no answer for. We all are aware of the recent incidents that have resulted in riots and protests around the country due to blatant injustice involving black men. This has left many people and Hip Hop fans to wonder, “Where are our heroes?”, while in desperate search for a voice to speak out against injustice–especially within the black community. Rappers Chuck D, Ice Cube, and 2Pac are known not only for their great contributions to hip hop, but also for their militant, anti-government, upfront lyrics. These rappers took risks in their music to directly attack government officials, and public figures for their negligence to blacks and disrespect to hip hop. None of these guys had the smallest amount of fear in them at anytime to say what was on their minds and make sure that you knew exactly how they felt. They didn’t hide the lyrics within their albums, they made singles and videos with these messages clear for everyone to hear. In today’s Hip Hop there are a few rappers that actually have some of these same qualities, such as Killer Mike, David Banner, Lupe Fiasco and others. I am fully aware that there are many others that can also be mentioned but to avoid this article from turning into a book, I have condensed it to focus on those three.  In this article I will provide examples from Chuck D, Ice Cube, and 2Pac. Then I’ll show examples of the current rappers who do the same. Starting with Ice Cube, whose radical ways date back to his years with NWA in the late 80s. Coming out of the gates firing with songs like “F*ck The Police” and a solo debut album titled “AmeriKKKas Most Wanted.” Cube had no fear in his heart and it showed heavily in his harsh, unfiltered lyrics. In all of his first three albums Cube continuously attacked and called out many people by name, caring less what anyone felt about it. A strong example can be found in his verse on Scarface’s song “Hand of The Dead Body.” and also on his song “A Bird In The Hand” “Fresh out of school cause I was a high school grad Gots to get a job cuz I was a high school dad Wish I got paid by rappin’ to the nation But thats not likely, so here’s my application Pass it to the man at AT&T Cause when I was in school I got the A.E.E But there’s no S.C. for this youngsta I didn’t have no money, so now I got to punch the Clock, gotta slave, and be half a man But whitey says there’s no room for the African Always knew that I would clock G’s But welcome to McDonalds may I take your order please Gotta serve ya food that might give you cancer Cuz my son doesn’t take no for an answer Now I pay taxes that you never give me back What about diapers, bottles, and similac Do I have to sell me a whole lotta crack For decent shelter and clothes on my back? Or should I just wait for help from Bush Or Jesse Jackson, and Operation PUSH If you ask me the whole thing needs a d##### A Massengill what the hell crack will sell in the neighborhood To the corner house b###### Miss Parker, little Joe and Todd Bridges Or anybody that he know So I copped me a bird, better known as a kilo Now everybody know I went from po’ to a n#### that got dough So now you put the feds against me Cause I couldn’t follow the plan of the presidency I never get love again But blacks are too f*ckin’ broke to be republican Now I remember I used to be cool Till I stopped fillin’ out my W-2 Now senators are gettin’ high And your plan against the ghetto backfired So now you got a pep talk But sorry, this is our only room to walk Cause we don’t want a drug push But a bird in the hand is worth more than the bush” Chuck D, with Flavor Flav as his right hand man, also took the radical approach when addressing public figures and government officials. Public Enemy’s “It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back” and “Fear of a Black Planet” are both undeniable classics and viewed as significant milestones in black music. Chuck D’s strong tone and straight to the point lyrics proved to be a force to be reckoned with. Both of those albums are laced with passion driven lyrics about the wrongdoings of many in power. His 3rd verse on “Fight The Power” definitely ruffled the feathers of white society. Excerpt from 3rd verse from “Fight The Power” “Elvis was a hero to most, But he never meant sh*t to me you see Straight out racist that sucker was Simple and plain Mother f*ck him and John Wayne Cause I’m Black and I’m proud I’m ready I’m hyped plus I’m amped Most of my heroes don’t appear on no stamps Sample a look back you look and find Nothing but rednecks for 400 years if you check” 2Pac, rightfully considered one of the greatest hip hop artists of all time, had this same mentality. His first album 2Pacalypse Now was full of political songs where he addressed numerous issues within black culture. 2Pac had a “Don’t Give A F*ck” attitude and everyone knew it. He had no problem directly attacking his foes, and not just his fellow rappers either. 2Pac’s mentality is what made him so popular in the 90s. His song “I Don’t Give a F*ck” is an all-out attack on police brutality, racism, and all the evils that go against the black race. He even took the 2nd verse on one of his biggest radio singles […]