Let's Acknowledge the Artists That Paved the Way for Donald Glover's 'This Is America'

Although "This Is America" is a visually striking representation of a country that is falling apart at the seams, we must remember that this message is nothing new to hip-hop. The genre has always embraced dissecting political and social issues since its inception. One of rap's earliest pioneers, Gil Scott-Heron, released his debut album in 1970—entitled Small Talk at 125th and Lenox—which contained themes of racial inequality, economic immobility, and the ideals of Black revolutionaries. A decade later, Grandmaster Flash released the sobering track "The Message," detailing the plight of Black people who were subjected to poverty, violence, and rampant drug use in the early '80s. Both works were bold, raw, and inspired a slew of other rappers to follow suit.

In the late '80s, artists like Ice-T, Public Enemy, and N.W.A built entire discographies graphically detailing the truths about inner-city violence, police brutality, and mass media consumption. Their efforts were considered controversial and met with ire—mostly from white America. Despite the backlash this caused hip hop to receive, similar sentimentality poured into rappers of the '90s. From KRS-One to The Roots to Dead Prez to Tupac Shakur and Mos Def, the tradition of using music to examine the injustices experienced by Black people daily in America continued.

All of these artists serve as a precursor to a more fully realized and celebrated Glover. But if his most recent body of work is the new standard for what "conscious rap" epitomizes, then this means the omission of his counterparts who have the doing the same thing for years. Kendrick Lamar's latest album DAMN., for example, not only showcased his impeccable rhyming skills but also his insight to America's current sociopolitical climate (the way he's done throughout his entire career)—and got awarded a Pulitzer Prize in the process.

Within the last two years, Glover's rap contemporaries—like J. Cole, Oddisee, Joey Bada$$, Vic Mensa, Rapsody, and Vince Staples—have released albums that have not only served as personal confessionals, but have challenged American policies, institutions, and attitudes when it comes to the narratives and rights of Black people. To praise the bravery "This Is America" is understandable; its significance is impossible to overlook. But if you believe that rap's political potency started with Glover's contributions, you just simply haven't been paying attention to hip hop. Below, a list of artists who helped pave the way for Glover.

Gil Scott Heron: "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised"

Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five: "The Message"

Public Enemy: "Fight The Power"

Kendrick Lamar: "XXX."

2Pac: "Holler If Ya Hear Me"

Ice-T: "6 ’N The Mornin’"

The Roots: "The Next Movement"

Dead Prez: "Police State"

Mos Def: "Mathematics"

Oddisee: "NNGE (Never Not Getting Enough)"

Joey Badass: "Amerikkkan Idol"

Rapsody: "Nobody"

Vince Staples: "Rain Come Down"

Vic Mensa: "We Could Be Free"

Candace McDuffie is a journalist and creative writing teacher. Her work has been featured in publications including Forbes, Teen Vogue, Vibe, Racked, and Fusion.