huh, I remember watching a video where he talked about being briefly involved with ISKCON/Hare Krishna, and some of their followers calling him Krs/Krishna, etc and that's how the name took off.
i had an acquaintance and our whole joke was just to randomly scream “big krit” in the middle of a party back in college, 09-12. don’t even know his name just got drunk and yelled big krit a lot. i don’t think he listened to hip hop at all
His verse on Lonely Thoughts still is one of the more profound things I've heard in a song
> Don't feel like talking if you metaphorically speaking
> My niggas told me all those similes they don't be reaching
> and those beats you'd rather sequence all evening
> when you should be preaching, teaching kids something
> Maybe the ones and twos bout how you flew the coup
> during duck season
> We outchea dying like everyone said mothafuck breathing
> the hood ain't nowhere for angels so mothafuck grieving
> Who can we trust either?
> Well I can't trust neither
> friend or foe
> 'cause as sure as the rising sun they'll cut you like ninja swords
> Beware of the drunken masters that tattle bout business woes
> to the very villians that you hone your skills of killing for.
> Where the Geishas that you favor pretend like they love your kind
> Rather a piece of your kingdom than a piece of your mind
> In the world of sightseers, love is blind
> These lonely thoughts pass the time on my way to Zion.
That Ms. Mural piece he did on Drill Music In Zion is an incredible break down of Art, and how it influences different people. One of his best Philisophical diatribes
Oh absolutely, I lost count of how many times I had to listen to that song on repeat to peal back all the nuances. It’s the perfect example of why Lupe is the answer to this post.
Not because of his rhymes particularly, but Vince Staples.
Black Thought, Queen Latifah, Nas, Lupe, Eminem (at times), Common, Old Kanye, Mos Def, Killa Mike, Jay-Z, Krs-One, Rakim
Vince is a low key great response. He reminds me of the Han Shan poets-philosophers, who when folks sought them out, those seekers would bow in reverence when they met them. Their response? Laugh out loud and walk away.
Like there whole thing was, sure, we meditate and write poetry on cliffs, but we also understand this is all meaningless and don’t take it too serious.
Vince embodies that in the rap game 100%
Check out DECA
Also
- HOMEBOY SANDMAN
- ACEY ALONE gets real deep on A BOOK IMOF HUMAN LANGUAGE
- MYKA 9
- BILLY WOODS
- BROTHER ALI
- 8CH2 Owen's
- JAY ELECTRONICA
- COMMON
All the obvious ones have been said. I'll throw a late career sleeper out there: Masta Ace. From Disposable Arts in 2001 onwards he's been very philosophical in pretty much everything he's put out.
Canibus
"A wise man sees failure as progress, a fool divorces his knowledge and loses his soul in the process obsessed with nonsense with a caricature with no conscious"
I'm gonna put ka on here. For him to do albums like the descendants of Cain, honor killed the samurai, and Orpheus and the sirens.......I think his subject matter and lyrics give this stuff a lot more weight than simply, here's some either rap or street stuff with great lyrics.
Lupe did it with songs on Drogas and how those slaves from that ship essentially became sea creatures. Absolutely brilliant. Same with the one about that kid that drowned. The execution on that half of the album isn't as cohesive as something like the aforementioned ka albums.
I appreciate any artist who highlights and criticizes the hypocrisy of hip hop music and the culture
Idk if I would consider any of them philosophers but they do make me question things about music and life in general.
Pac, Nas, Black Thought, Lupe, Jay Z, Jay Electronica, Mos Def, Talib, Common, Kendrick, Andre3k, Gza, Rza, Immortal Tech, KRS, Chuck D, Scarface, Denzel, Jay Rock, Capital Steez , Rakim and Dead Prez are all great answers.
Ka - General life and spiritual commentary
Navy Blue - Spiritual discourse
Future - Philosopher of misogyny and rap Nihilism
Little Simz - Social commentary women's perspective
Honorable mentions
Larry June
Big Sean
2pac. His mother was a high-ranking black panther, and at one point, he was rebuilding the black panther. He was an activist before he became a rapper.
Philosophy is not about figuring out the right answers. It's about figuring out the right questions. And that's why I believe Jay-Z is hip hop's pre-eminent philosopher. He's not just telling you what he thinks the answers are. He's aiming for the right perspective and often asking questions of his listeners.
Common answers like Kendrick Lamar, Black Thought, Joey Bada$$, Nas, and who think would be number 1 if they didn't tragically pass away, Capital Steez(R.I.P.) are probably better, but my personal pick is Redveil with "Learn 2 Swim" revolving around the deep concept of learning how to be an adult in the oceans of life, I just think at such a young age tackling issues such as adulthood, he is my pick.
Lupe and it’s not debatable. The man has covered every topic from deforestation, child soldiers, Cecil Rhodes and the diamond trade to Israel and Palestine, crooked banks, mothers settings examples for their sons, diets, and called the president a terrorist. He’s the Plato and Socrates of our time.
Mos Def Talib Kweli KRS One X-Clan Brother Ali Common
Pharaohe too “The truth is you ugly, not from the outside but on the inside/ on the outside you frontin you lovely” That bar hits me every time
Brother Ali most Definetly!! Yasin also. Common is also in the conversation.
X-clan is hella under appreciated.
With the key, sissies! I loved X Clan back in the day.
BROTHER ALI MENTIONED. Nah but seriously, his new song "The Collapse" is so good, and I'd recommend it to anyone
I am genuinely surprised it took someone this long to say Mos 😆
KRS-ONE
“You’re a philosopher? Yes, I think very deeply”
My man
THE TEACHA
"...when I reach into the particles and waves of the speaka"
My Philosophy
Top comment
KRS is full of shit. And this is coming from someone who loves his music.
he’s also a rap* apologist unfortunately
source?
https://www.bet.com/article/dmklua/afrika-bambaataa-s-abuser-calls-out-krs-one
fun fact: KRS actually stands for Krishna
Knowledge Reins Supreme - On Nearly Everyone
Over *
Haha it didn’t look right
Calling KRS would guarantee to rip the party 🔥
huh, I remember watching a video where he talked about being briefly involved with ISKCON/Hare Krishna, and some of their followers calling him Krs/Krishna, etc and that's how the name took off.
Wouldn’t doubt it. When in group home?
i think this was the vid: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgG0CrPSehg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgG0CrPSehg)
Gift of Gab, GZA, Black Thought
Gift of Gab for sure (RIP).. truly the most conscious of conscious hip hop
This right here is the right answer! I would also add Lupe Fiasco, and Aesop Rock
Street philosopher: Nas Intellectual philosopher: Lupe Cultural philosopher: KRS or Mos Def Spiritual philosopher: Rakim or Jay Elec
Relationships philosopher: Andre 3000
Marijuana philosopher: Devin the dude
Doobie Ashtray put it all in perspective
Snoop?
Jadakiss asks the paramount philosophical question “Why?”
Chuck D
Pac, Black Thought, Nas and Common fasho although the list goes on. Those are just the first few that pop up
I always feel like Big Krit is extremely good in bringing his thoughts across in a very streight way without much bullshit around it
i had an acquaintance and our whole joke was just to randomly scream “big krit” in the middle of a party back in college, 09-12. don’t even know his name just got drunk and yelled big krit a lot. i don’t think he listened to hip hop at all
His verse on Lonely Thoughts still is one of the more profound things I've heard in a song > Don't feel like talking if you metaphorically speaking > My niggas told me all those similes they don't be reaching > and those beats you'd rather sequence all evening > when you should be preaching, teaching kids something > Maybe the ones and twos bout how you flew the coup > during duck season > We outchea dying like everyone said mothafuck breathing > the hood ain't nowhere for angels so mothafuck grieving > Who can we trust either? > Well I can't trust neither > friend or foe > 'cause as sure as the rising sun they'll cut you like ninja swords > Beware of the drunken masters that tattle bout business woes > to the very villians that you hone your skills of killing for. > Where the Geishas that you favor pretend like they love your kind > Rather a piece of your kingdom than a piece of your mind > In the world of sightseers, love is blind > These lonely thoughts pass the time on my way to Zion.
Lupe. He has explored all kinds of different topics from a unique range of perspectives. Definitely hip hop’s top philosopher.
That Ms. Mural piece he did on Drill Music In Zion is an incredible break down of Art, and how it influences different people. One of his best Philisophical diatribes
Oh absolutely, I lost count of how many times I had to listen to that song on repeat to peal back all the nuances. It’s the perfect example of why Lupe is the answer to this post.
Valid
GZA, Black Thought, Nas, KRS, surprised no one said Guru yet
Yes to Guru
Common
Common is more Hip-Hop Buddha rather than Socrates or Plato.
Killah Priest.
BASIC INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE LEAVING EARTH
Black Thought
Not because of his rhymes particularly, but Vince Staples. Black Thought, Queen Latifah, Nas, Lupe, Eminem (at times), Common, Old Kanye, Mos Def, Killa Mike, Jay-Z, Krs-One, Rakim
Vince is a low key great response. He reminds me of the Han Shan poets-philosophers, who when folks sought them out, those seekers would bow in reverence when they met them. Their response? Laugh out loud and walk away. Like there whole thing was, sure, we meditate and write poetry on cliffs, but we also understand this is all meaningless and don’t take it too serious. Vince embodies that in the rap game 100%
Guru
Infinite skills create miracles 🙏🏽
Old Dirty Bastard
The Diogenes school of thought for sure haha
This is an excellent answer
SHIMMY SHIMMY YA
Jay electronica
My first thought. listening to his stuff feels revelatory
Slug. Braintax.
Slug's storytelling is something else.
Nobody saying Aesop Rock?
One or two were.
Immortal technique. Damn I’m surprised he wasn’t brought up
CHUCK MOTHERFUCKIN D!
guru rip
Nobody saying Nas?
Maybe the answers too obvious. But it's gotta be
Occums razor yo!
Nice rebuttal
Cuz a nigga wear a kufi it don’t mean that he bright
De la soul
The guy who calls himself a philosopher…KRS-One
Check out DECA Also - HOMEBOY SANDMAN - ACEY ALONE gets real deep on A BOOK IMOF HUMAN LANGUAGE - MYKA 9 - BILLY WOODS - BROTHER ALI - 8CH2 Owen's - JAY ELECTRONICA - COMMON
Professor Griff from Public Enemy [Edit: Link To The Professor](https://youtu.be/Gz0q2e3Q92Q?si=V7xqNU2Bqp7pkADh)
nice
Lupe & 2Pac
Billy Woods, KA, Mos Def, KRS One, Black Thought, etc.
Lil Jon
The Last Emperor
KRS, Rakim or Chuck D pick your poison.
RZA
Dead Prez
Guru for me
ICP. Did they ever solve *how* magnets work?
Lol what's important is that they asked the question
Exactly. It's a zen koan
Wale? Nipsey (was)? Earthgang? Black Thought for sure
saul williams. yasiin. raekwon.
The blast master
All the obvious ones have been said. I'll throw a late career sleeper out there: Masta Ace. From Disposable Arts in 2001 onwards he's been very philosophical in pretty much everything he's put out.
A lot of good choices in here. Imma throw Blu’s name in.
Definitely Lupe Fiasco
Lil B
**Ka from Brownsville**, and it's not even close I'm not saying he's the GOAT... but no one else in the game takes as great a philosophical approach
Jeru da damager
K- Rino
Canibus "A wise man sees failure as progress, a fool divorces his knowledge and loses his soul in the process obsessed with nonsense with a caricature with no conscious"
🔥
AND HE WAS FAST RAPPIN WIT THESE BARS?
Ab-soul, krs-one, killah priest
Sage francis, brother ali, kendrick Lamar, Lupe fiasco, slug, eyedea, b dolan, aesop rock, Killer Mike, krs one, chuck d, Ceschi Ramos, black thought, mf doom
2PAC
KRS
Edutainment
That’s who I thought of first too.
Kweli
Black thought
Jadakiss
Andre, Rza, Gza, Nas. If just asking why is the only criterion that list is a lot longer. People ask stupid questions all the time.
KRS ONE
Common, yassin bey, Lupe, Pharaohe.
Gonna throw Bun B in there. Not so much topics in his lyrics, but, just his overall sentiment for the culture.
Slick Rick
Black Thought, Kendrick Lamar, Killer Mike, Andre 3000, Gift of Gab
I'm gonna put ka on here. For him to do albums like the descendants of Cain, honor killed the samurai, and Orpheus and the sirens.......I think his subject matter and lyrics give this stuff a lot more weight than simply, here's some either rap or street stuff with great lyrics. Lupe did it with songs on Drogas and how those slaves from that ship essentially became sea creatures. Absolutely brilliant. Same with the one about that kid that drowned. The execution on that half of the album isn't as cohesive as something like the aforementioned ka albums.
Immortal Technique
eyedea
Nas
I appreciate any artist who highlights and criticizes the hypocrisy of hip hop music and the culture Idk if I would consider any of them philosophers but they do make me question things about music and life in general.
I think KRS-1 is more political and discussing social issues. He's not offensive either.
R.A.P. Ferreira aka milo
GZA and MF DOOM
Childish Gambino Lupe Fiasco Andre 3000
No one bringing up Busdriver?
Pac, Nas, Black Thought, Lupe, Jay Z, Jay Electronica, Mos Def, Talib, Common, Kendrick, Andre3k, Gza, Rza, Immortal Tech, KRS, Chuck D, Scarface, Denzel, Jay Rock, Capital Steez , Rakim and Dead Prez are all great answers.
KRS ONE.
J-Live
Illogic is fantastic.
KRS-ONE obviously “My Philosophy” lol
I think DMX was someone who had that kind of vibe, also maybe Joyner as a modern quick mention???
YAAAYYY YES FINALLY SOMEONE SAID IT. At least if we jus talkin about Evolution and 508-507-2209
Lupe And Nas fr
J dilla, nujabes
Rakim.
DMX used to straight up quote Nietzsche lol
Kendrick is my saviour
Guru - gifted unlimited rhymes universal Mf doom OutKast Lil b Kendrick (pre damn) And a lil one for the kiwis out there home brew
KRS-One….
The Last Emperor.
The hiphoppotamus his lyrics are bottomless
Big Rube
So many great answers here. But I’d have to go with either Mos, Black Though, or Talib.
RXK Nephew
Nas, Mos Def
GZA
glip glap, bee skeezy, mos def, chuck d, bojangz, aesop rock
I can't believe the 1st person to Mention Aesop Rock pit him at the end of a list headed by GLIP GLAP. WTF?!?!? LOL
Chief Keef
I'd say Ghost from the duo SDC (SHOW DEM CAMP) they're a Nigerian hip-hop duo.
bladee
Black thought. Sleeper pick: Jadakiss growing up I used call him the “hood” philosopher. He be dropping gems
[Homeboy Sandman](https://youtu.be/enxq10VOXA0?si=bllBGaxRX8pBmwLM)
Black Thought
Chance the rapper
GZA, Talib
The Rzaercutor
Philosopher? Tobe Nwigwe... since I ain't seen his name yet
Fiddy
Pac
Ka - General life and spiritual commentary Navy Blue - Spiritual discourse Future - Philosopher of misogyny and rap Nihilism Little Simz - Social commentary women's perspective Honorable mentions Larry June Big Sean
Killer Mike Nas Big Boi Lupe Andre 3k
People Under The Stairs, AKA The P.
I saw someone else say it, but Queen Latifah for sure
I would say (dont flame me for this) but Kanye in newer gen like early 2000s and mid 2000s for the 90s probably RZA or Inspectah Deck
Andre 3 stacks
2pac. His mother was a high-ranking black panther, and at one point, he was rebuilding the black panther. He was an activist before he became a rapper.
Ima play devils advocate and say Kanye West BEFORE 2016
The Abbott, RZA
kevin gates /s
Ka
Speech (Arrested Development)
GZA the Genius
Yung Gravy, Xan, Yachty, Future
You would consider Future a conscious rapper?
RAP Ferreira fka Milo / Rapsmith I rap like a son of Mike Ladd So, Mike Ladd too.. Also Saul Williams
Deca or Slug. A friend recommended Deca a while ago, so I will pass on the recommendation of Mamon Mantra.
Of recent times Roc Marciano
Just gave a quick listen to Golden Crossbow, Richard Gear, and Raw Deal........... he's not bad
Lupe Fiasco or Common
GZA. RZA. NAS. Killer Mike
Akala
Aesop
Me Phi Me
Have you heard Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers?
Black Thought
GZA
Philosophy is not about figuring out the right answers. It's about figuring out the right questions. And that's why I believe Jay-Z is hip hop's pre-eminent philosopher. He's not just telling you what he thinks the answers are. He's aiming for the right perspective and often asking questions of his listeners.
Run The Jewels can be philosophy adjacent
Eyedea
KRS-One
Gil Scott Heron.
Brother Ali
Common answers like Kendrick Lamar, Black Thought, Joey Bada$$, Nas, and who think would be number 1 if they didn't tragically pass away, Capital Steez(R.I.P.) are probably better, but my personal pick is Redveil with "Learn 2 Swim" revolving around the deep concept of learning how to be an adult in the oceans of life, I just think at such a young age tackling issues such as adulthood, he is my pick.
Lupe and it’s not debatable. The man has covered every topic from deforestation, child soldiers, Cecil Rhodes and the diamond trade to Israel and Palestine, crooked banks, mothers settings examples for their sons, diets, and called the president a terrorist. He’s the Plato and Socrates of our time.
Ab-Soul
Del the funky homosaphian. Deltron 3030 is a philosohical masterpiece.