Call and Response - Kosta

Kanye West - New Slaves

This song represents a social consciousness because Kanye talks about slavery and racism in the early years of America. This song shows Kanye West's want for a movement towards social justice for the blacks, and how they weren't treated correctly in the past. I think Kanye West still believes that they are not treated correctly.



Jay Z - 99 Problems

I think that in this song, that Jay-Z, believes that the law is racist, and a minority is more likely to be pulled over and be given heavier charges because of the color of their skin. Jay-Z says "And I heard 'Son do you know why I'm stopping you for?' Cause I'm young and I'm black and my hat's real low'", he says that the cop pulled him over because of the color of his skin, although he was only doing 55 in a 54.



Lauryn Hill - Black Rage

This song shows Lauryn Hill talking about slavery and her thoughts on it. I think Lauryn Hill believes that the black race of America has held in their rage towards racial America for far too long, and that she is angry towards it. Throughout these songs, they have talked about slavery, and the mistreatment of African Americans for what seems like forever. Lauryn would like social justice for the blacks, although America has already given it to them, she feels like they still don't have it.



Talib Kweli - Hell

Talib Kweli talks about that minorities have been mistreated in the world since the beginning of civilizations, but he takes the religious approach. Saying that if we're all God's children, why are others being mistreated. When he says "If we all made in God's image then that means his face is mine. Wait or it's that blasphemy it's logical it has to be.", it shows that religion teaches you to love everyone, no matter who it is, but nowadays, people use religion as a reason for why they hate people. He talks about how the stereotypes of Muslims and that they are always associated with a bomb, and goes on to talk about bad things done by other religions.



The Last Poets - True Blues

This song is written in the persona of a slave, who is in Africa, when the Europeans take over Africa. Saying that he would sing the blues and be depressed when the missionaries would take over Africa, and hand out bibles. This song is powerful, because it speaks about the sadness of the Africans who were forced to come to this country, and were forced to do work. This song embodies the feeling of African Americans and their ideas about what was done to their ancestors during the time of slavery.



Mos Def - Mathematics

This song is about Mos Def's thoughts about the United States and what will happen in the future of the America. When he says "3 for the forthcoming live future shock", Mos Def is talking about in the future, America will be taken over by technology (which it has been). He talks about the luxury in the United States, where people can buy cell phones, but the people who live in very underprivileged areas are still living in the struggle, and the government, with all the money that they have do nothing to help them.



Nas - I can

In this song, Nas talks about the struggle of kids that live in the ghetto. This song speaks to the youth, because Nas talks about the struggle of kids growing up in the ghetto and how they are told to work hard, and they can achieve anything, but the things around them, like drugs, alcohol, and violence hold them down from being able to do so. Nas then goes on to talk about the black race, and their hospitality toward all other races. He says that they would give them gold, but when the European countries would turn it into money, they would come back into Africa, and take it over.