Jasiri X, Dee-1, and Rhymefest (Photo by Paradise Gray)

The game is changing, especially in Hip-Hop. Now more than ever people are demanding more lyricism and content in their music. Just take a look at the list of MCs deemed the future of rap music, names like Kendrick Lamar, Jay Electronica, J. Cole and Big K.R.I.T are always at the top. The one thing they have is common is they all possess a level of consciousnesses that’s been missing on major labels for far too long.

Organizations like the We Are The 44% Coalition (a group of dynamic activists, writers and scholars that came together in the wake of the XXl Magazine/Too Short fiasco) are on the scene making sure both artists and corporations are held accountable for dangerous, disrespectful and degrading images of woman and children.

We’re on the verge of another presidential election that promises to be the most controversial of all time, the revival of direct action lead by the Occupy Movement, and a possible war on Iran. We can’t keep talking about poppin bottles, makin it rain and bustin guns in the midst of all that, can we? People are finally waking up and demanding more.

I just got back from New Orleans and my good friend and fellow MC Dee-1 has damn near taken over the city. Not only was he on the cover of various magazines and newspapers, he had songs in regular rotation on the major radio stations. Of course a cosign from legendary producer Mannie Fresh doesn’t hurt.

My brother Rhymefest is not only working on a new album, and documentary about his historic run for Alderman in Chicago, he recently founded a group called Power Moves leading talented young artists in not only music making but also community activism.

Add to that incredible new music from Brother Ali, Immortal Technique, Rebel Diaz, and Yasiin Bey AKA Mos Def’s game-changing “Niggas in Poorest” remix of Kanye and Jay Z’s “Niggas in Paris”, and we got ourselves a movement.

Looks like hope and change are on the way for Hip-Hop.

Did I mention my new album “Ascension” is coming soon?