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"Hip-Hop" is a song by American hip hop duo Dead Prez, released on March 30, 1999 as a single from their debut studio album Let's Get Free (2000). Produced by production group Hedrush and Dead Prez, it is the duo's best-known song.
| "Hip-Hop" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Dead Prez | ||||
| from the album Let's Get Free | ||||
| Released | March 30, 1999[1] | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 3:34 | |||
| Label | Loud | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Hedrush | |||
| Dead Prez singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Hip-Hop" on YouTube | ||||
The production of the song features a "warped, wobbly" bassline. Lyrically, Dead Prez criticizes the capitalist functions of the music industry and its exploitation of black people ("These record labels slang our tapes like dope / You can be next in line and signed and still be writing rhymes and broke"),[2] and encourages the idea of using hip hop music as a means to promote social change.[3] In the first verse, M‑1 promotes staying true to oneself as a rapper, and Stic.man echoes the song's message in his final lines.[4]
The song received positive reviews from music critics. Andy Capper of NME described it as "A truly remarkable, inventive track - with its crazy, twisting boa constrictor bassline and blazing, call-to-arms chorus - it's a fierce declaration of war on hip-hop capitalists and an urgent reminder for rappers and fans alike to consider the bigger picture, asking them: 'Would you rather have a Lexus or justice?'"[3] Billboard ranked it as one of the greatest songs of 1999.[4]
A remix of the song "It's Bigger Than Hip-Hop" appears on Let's Get Free. This version features Tahir (of Hedrush) and The People's Army and was produced by Kanye West and Dead Prez.[5]
The song served as the opening music for Chappelle's Show (where the instrumental version of the song is used)[2][5] and the documentary series Hip-Hop Evolution.
"Hip-Hop"
| Chart (1999–2000) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[6] | 41 |
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[7] | 49 |
"It's Bigger Than Hip-Hop"
| Chart (2000) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[7] | 43 |
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