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"Hip-hop activism" is a term coined by the pioneering hip-hop intellectual and journalist Harry Allen. The term, he says, meant to show that hip-hop culture could both reflect a social critique and become a unifying force to enact change.

The idea of hip-hop activism has since been embraced by young organizers, thinkers, cultural workers and activists to describe their generation's emerging work for social justice.

It describes a broad range of social change practices, including youth organizing, cultural work, arts education, popular education, intercultural exchanges, youth development, and celebrity projects and events.

Above all, hip-hop activism is a frame to understand the hip-hop generation's reaction to their world, and their desire to create alternative spaces for cultural development and progressive social change.

If you're interested in more history and background hip-hop activism, check out , the Future 500 website, or download this report.

Check back here and the blog for news, updates and links on hip-hop generation activism or join the Can't Stop Won't Stop email list to receive notifications or Jeff's irregular editorials and articles.

Constant Elevation: The Rise of Bay Area Hip-Hop Activism

This is a report put together to describe the emerging field of hip-hop activism, with a special spotlight on the Bay Area's hip-hop activism, which features some of the most innovative and sophisticated programs in the country. If you're interested in finding out more generally about hip-hop activism, download a PDF of the report here.

Hip-Hop Politics, The Politics of Hip-Hop

Here are some of Jeff's recent articles on emerging hip-hop activism:

The Hip-Hop Generation and The Vote

2004 saw unprecedented organizing efforts to target the hip-hop generation's vote. What did they mean and what kind of impact will they have? Click here to go to the article in the San Jose Metro.

Setting A Hip-Hop Agenda

After helping to organize the National Hip-Hop Political Convention in the summer of 2004, Jeff returned to report on what really went down there. Click here to go the article on Alternet.