Music to Riot By

Tunes to keep the fire lit (while maybe learning something)

These are most of the songs on the playlist I use to get fired up. I’m sure you’ve never heard of half of them, but they’re all meaningful to me. Songs that make you want to do the right thing. Or whoop somebody’s ass. I’d love additional recommendations—let me know!

• Water No Get Enemy, Fela Kuti

• I’m Not Lazy, Gavin Prophet, Lonely Avenue

• Dollar Signs, Gavin Prophet, Lonely Avenue

• Prayer of the Refugee, Rise Against

• Sterotypes, Black Violin

• Killing in the Name, Rage Against the Machine

• Around My Way, Lupe Fiasco

• Guns Are Drawn, The Roots

• Last Time That I Checc’d, Nipsey Hussle, YG

• Por Mi Mexico (remix), Lefty Sm, Santa Fe Klan, C-Kan, Neto Peña, MC Davo, Dharius

• For My People, Joey Bad A$$

• Prey’er, Bambu and Killer Mike

• Last Man Standing, Polo G

• Sound of Da Police, KRS-One

• Mathematics, Mos Def

• Where I’m From, Digable Planets

• Dedicated, Digable Planets

• Hypocrites, Locksmith

• America Part 2, Locksmith

• FDT—Pt .2, YG, G-Eazy, Macklemore

• Hind’s Hall, Macklemore

• The World is Worth Saving, The Neighborhood Kids

• To Live and Die in L.A., Tupac

NOT HIP-HOP

Water No Get Enemy, Fela Kuti

I’m Not Lazy, Gavin Prophet, Lonely Avenue

Dollar Signs, Gavin Prophet, Lonely Avenue

Prayer of the Refugee, Rise Against

Sterotypes, Black Violin

Killing in the Name, Rage Against the Machine

HIP-HOP

Around My Way, Lupe Fiasco

Guns Are Drawn, The Roots

Last Time That I Checc’d, Nipsey Hussle, YG

Por Mi Mexico (remix), Lefty Sm, Santa Fe Klan, C-Kan, Neto Peña, MC Davo, Dharius

For My People, Joey Bad A$$

Prey’er, Bambu and Killer Mike

Last Man Standing, Polo G

Sound of Da Police, KRS-One

Mathematics, Mos Def

Where I’m From, Digable Planets

May 4th Movement, Digable Planets

Hypocrites, Locksmith

America Part 2, Locksmith

FDT—Pt .2, YG, G-Eazy, Macklemore

Hind’s Hall, Macklemore

The World is Worth Saving, The Neighborhood Kids

To Live and Die in L.A., Tupac