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Grandmaster Melle Mel is the original hip hop MC, and is rightfully celebrated as one of the pioneers of rap. Rap Mind, a site focused on socially conscious rap, was recently given the rare opportunity to speak with Melle Mel, and the Grandmaster gave his opinions on everything from Donald Trump to what he thinks is the true essence of hip hop.

“Love. That was the true essence of hip-hop and that might have been the sixth element.  None of it started with money.  If you were a b-boy you did it because you loved it.  If you were a graffiti artist, you weren’t going to be famous.  If you deejayed, you did it because you loved it," Melle Mel said.  "When you hit the mic, you did it because you loved what you were d

Legendary emcee Rakim recently teamed up with Stephen “Ragga” Marley’s on Revelation Pt. II: The Fruit of Life album, dropping a slew of knowledge and wisdom on the song “So Unjust,” which also features Canadian MC Kardinal Offishall.

While demonstrating his extraordinary lyrical prowess, Rakim rhymes about the current cultural climate with lines like, “Since history, it’s been depression and misery, racism, greed, deception and bigotry/They make you choose/You a prisoner or a soldier, but once you fall victim to the system/then you over.”

It’s not the first time one of Bob Marley’s sons has collaborated with a legendary hip hop artist. Step

Today is the 56th birthday of not one, but two members of Public Enemy: both Chuck D and Professor Griff are celebrating their birthdays today. The two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees were instrumental in giving PE it's distinct sound and message.

Public Enemy's socially conscious rap and innovative production style have made them one of the most important and influential hip hop groups in history, inspiring a future generation of artists, ranging all the way from Kanye West to Nirvana to Bjork. A big part of the band's appeal came from Chuck D, with his booming voice and his smart, witty lyrics, and the band's Minister of Information, Professor Griff, who fueled Public Enemy's political activism. The combined effort of the two have ensured that Public

Go beyond the superficial surface of commercial hip hop with Deep In The Trenches, RAPstation's new weekly show that goes deep on underground hip hop and rap with DJ Mercury and host Mikey D.

Both DJ Mercury and host Mikey D have had over thirty years of experience in the hip hop game -- DJ Mercury began his illustrious career in 1984, spinning records for college radio, eventually working with legends like Funk Master Flex and Professor X the Overseer. Mikey D is a bona-fide Queens legend, having been part of the immensely influential 90's group Main Source, and is widely respected today as one of the best battle rappers in hip hop history.

DJ Mercury and Mikey D teamed with Grand Wizard Rasheen to form the s

Growing up in the Midwest, Seattle-based emcee and vocalist Xperience, or XP, never imagined he’d be touring internationally with one of the biggest hip-hop artists in the world, but apparently dreams do come true. He’s been on the road with Macklemore for years now and is enjoying every single second of it. 

Born Tyler Andrews, the multi-faceted musician fell in love with hip-hop right around 1993, during the time Wrecks-n-Effect dropped “Rump Shaker.” He would rewind it over and over again, trying to memorize every word. Eventually, he discovered Outkast’s ATLiens and the rest is history. He lived and breathed hip-hop, and knew it was something he’d wholeheartedly pursue. 

Fast forward to 2016 and not

Ice Cube and VH-1 are teaming up to create their own version of the popular game show, “Hollywood Squares.” With over 5,000 episodes and syndication spanning four decades, it’s one of the most successful TV game shows in history. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cube and VH-1 are planning to produce a hip-hop version of the show called “Hip Hop Squares,” which is scheduled to debut this fall. 

The show will draw its celebrity contestants from the deep talent well of hip-hop artists, as well as comedians and other big entertainment names. They’ll be competing against each other in tests of pop culture knowledge.

"'Hip Hop Squares' is going to be fun and spontaneous; unlike typical game