1. The Last PoetsThe Last Poets
The first Last Poets record. This was part of the beginning of hip hop music. For me, I feel like The Last Poets represents, or stand on the shoulders, of the same people my father represents. People who are politically motivated artists, who understood our art and integration of our people.
I have not picked a lot of hip hop albums, so I chose this not only to respect the roots of hip hop, but also to allow young hip hop artists, as they come across this playlist, to learn. This is something again that has been lost in mainstream hip hop music.
The Last Poets music is very mystical. It is them. Carlos Santana, even told me that one of about problems with young black people, in institutions [for example], is we are losing our ability to play our traumas. For The Last Poets it was a call, this must really be how we socialise. They look for their roots. Most of their songs are simple, mystic, conga-based songs.
