The intersection of rap music and politics originated sometime in the early 1980s and has continued as a tradition of praise and social critique of individual politicians, political structures and institutions. As reported, many rap artists have had controversial relationships with the media and political figures; activist and author, Kevin Powell, commented, “…The hip-hop community organizing around politics is not a new phenomenon, nor did it begin with the Obama presidential campaign.” The power and glorification of many rap artists mirrored national political figures, and in many ways artists in a microcosm are political figures in their own communities. African-Americans in urban communities used rap and its artists to engage civically
