Political rap has never died, even though it's not really present in the mainstream anymore – or for the last couple of decades, give or take.
When I say political rap, I don't mean songs like "Where Is The Love" by Black Eyed Peas featuring Justin Timberlake. I mean political rap that seeks to expose the underbelly of society, ranging in topics from conspiracy theories to legitimate gripes against the powers that be or surrounding community.
Viva Fidel, who is a part of the larger group Taste Emcees, recently released a street video for a song called "414" that speaks out on Milwaukee issues past and present, including a very memorable clip of an emotional outburst by a family member of one of the victoms of Jeffrey Dahmer's killing spree that will make anybody who is able to remember that time in Milwaukee's history cringe.
Born in Milwaukee and raised in the Milwaukee suburb of Brown Deer, Concordia University Wisconsin alumnus Poppe has spent the majority of his life in or around the city and county of Milwaukee.
As an advocate of Milwaukee's hip-hop community Poppe began popular local music blog Milwaukee UP in March 2010. Check out the archived entries here.
Though heavy on the hip-hop, Poppe writes about other genres of music and occasionally about food, culture or sports, and is always ready to show his pride in Milwaukee and Wisconsin.
