The teachings of the Five-Percent Nation were significantly influential for prominent Islamic hip hop artists like Big Daddy Kane and Rakim.
Lakim Shabazz was influenced by Islam, specifically the teachings of the Five Percent Nation, as reflected in his rap, such as in the song "Black is Back".
The song encourages African-Americans to recognize their greatness and fight for freedom, justice and equality, as emphasized in the lyrics: "You say it's gonna be hard, but I'm with God, I got the proof and truth, and now it's time to get loose."
[8] His solo debut, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, touched on social issues like poverty, racism, drug addiction, and general critiques of American society.
"[8] On his 1991 album Death Certificate, Ice Cube samples excerpts of a speech made by Khalid Abdul Muhammad.
Q-Tip (real name: Jonathan Davis) was born in Harlem in 1970, and grew up in Queens, where he went to school with Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Phife Dawg, and Jarobi White, with whom he formed the group A Tribe Called Quest.
"[22] He argued that in seeking to emulate the lyrics in gangsta rap, young Black Americans became victims of mass incarceration, violence, sexual exploitation, and drug crime.
He feuded with Def Jam founder Russell Simmons in 2001, accusing him of stoking violence by allowing the frequent use of words such as "nigga" and "bitch" in rap lyrics.
[15] He invited artists including A Tribe Called Quest, The Notorious B.I.G., Chuck D with Public Enemy, Kool Herc, and Afrika Bambaataa, model Bethann Hardison, actor Malik Yoba, and Bad Boy Records president Sean Combs.
[15][31][32] Tillard also criticized the Reverend Al Sharpton and other civil rights leaders, calling them "hired guns" for not condemning rappers Sean Combs or Shyne Barrows.
[33] Tillard organized another summit at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building in Harlem on 125th Street, focused on what he perceived as negative imagery in hip hop.
Def Jam Recordings founder Russell Simmons organized a counter-summit, urging the public not to support "open and aggressive critics of the hip-hop community".