The latest single “Project 2025” is more than just a song—it’s a warning. Hip-hop legends Chuck D, KRS-One, Mele Mel, and Scorpio have come together to sound the alarm about a political manifesto with the same name. Produced by Scorpio, this track is hopefully in time to delivery the motivation and message for the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, and it’s here to remind us what Hip-Hop does best: speak truth to power. This song brings awareness to the alarming intentions of The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a plan that could reshape America’s future by pulling the country in a radically extreme conservative direction. The stakes is high, and you must learn to not stay quiet.
Hip-Hop: The Voice of the Streets
Let’s keep it real—Hip-Hop has always been about more than just beats and rhymes. From its birth in the Bronx to becoming the global force it is today. The genre has been the voice of the voiceless and that’s exactly the role Hip-Hop played in its early days: telling stories that mainstream media wouldn’t touch. “Project 2025” feels like a return to that essence. As KRS-One points out, “Emcees have always been the voice of the streets, and the streets ain’t with Project 2025.” And who could argue with opposing policies that threaten to roll back hard-earned rights?
What makes Hip-Hop different from other genres when it comes to social issues? It’s all in the lyrics. Hip-Hop is a lyric-heavy art form that allows artists to dig deep, expand on complex ideas, and really break down what’s going on. Sure, other genres have their protest songs, but few can do it with the same level of detail and rawness that Hip-Hop does. It’s part of why Hip-Hop has been one of the most important social movements since the Civil Rights era. This is music with a message, and songs like “Project 2025” is exactly what we need in these times.
Behind the Collaboration
Chuck D, KRS-One, Mele Mel, and Scorpio on the same track? That’s Hip-Hop history coming together, plain and simple. Each of these artists has played a key role in shaping the genre and the culture we know today, both musically and politically, and “Project 2025” feels like a timely reminder of why our voices matter.
Chuck D, the frontman of Public Enemy, has been loud and unapologetic in his activism since the late ’80s. You’ve ever heard “Fight the Power”, you know the kind of impact Chuck’s voice carries. He’s been a global icon for change, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and continues to speak out on everything from racism to climate change. Chuck D is living proof that Hip-Hop is about more than just music—it’s about using your platform to push for real change.
KRS-One isn’t called the “The Teacha” without reason. He’s always believed in Hip-Hop as a force for edutainment and upliftment. He helped launch the Stop the Violence Movement when messages of unity were really needed and remains one of the genre’s most respected voices in the culture. Few artists have carried the torch for Hip-Hop the way the BDP emcee has.
Mele Mel, of course, as the architect behind the classic “The Message” laid the foundation for politically charged Hip-Hop. That track, one of the first to ever address real-life issues in urban communities, solidified Mele Mel as a pioneer. He’s been speaking truth to power since the early days.
Scorpio, of the iconic group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five took on the role as the producer of “Project 2025”. Sampling 2Pac’s “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted” and Ice Cube’s “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted”, Scorpio’s production on this track brings back the feel of old-school Hip-Hop.
What’s at Stake?
At the core of “Project 2025” is a call for awareness. The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 plan, outlined in a 900-page manifesto, isn’t just about trimming government fat—it’s about reshaping the entire U.S. political landscape. From reducing the size of federal agencies to injecting conservative Christian values into U.S. policies, this project is about turning back the clock on progress. One of the most controversial aspects is its aim to restructure key government institutions like the FBI, Department of Justice, Department of Education by devastatingly reshape public education.
Chuck D summed it up perfectly: “Rights that have been fought for over decades can be taken away in an instant by people not paying attention.” Whether it’s women’s rights, environmental policies, or healthcare, everything is on the table. The message is clear: pay attention, get informed, and make your voice heard.
Hip Hop has immense potential to a political force to be reckoned with if utilized. Hip-Hop has the power to push boundaries and ignite change.
Scorpio himself put it best: “We were the voice of the people, but I think we’ve strayed away from that. This track brings it back.” And honestly, that’s exactly what we need right now. As the 2024 election looms, this track serves as a rallying cry for political engagement and action.
Scorpio goes further in a recorded message that accompanied the press release for the song.
How this record came to be, you know, being a true pioneer from day one and seeing the real evolution of every era of hip hop, we have lost our voice. You know, we were the people that always spoke for the voiceless. And I know with our culture now, not saying there isn’t great music out there and people still doing amazing things business-wise, but as far as talking about things that are happening socially, we are so far removed from that, that it’s sad.
And what’s really crazy is the ones they are calling old heads and classic guys, and saying we’re not up on it. It takes people like us to talk about the current events. So, because of that, you know, I know a lot of people in our era, in our culture, don’t have an idea about Project 2025. And I thought, you know, let me get in contact with the three main people who always spoke for the people—Melle Mel, you know, coming out with the first song, “The Message,” the lead vocal, you know what I mean, from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Chuck D, Public Enemy, always spoke to the people like, you know, “Fight the Power” and all of that. And KRS-One, you know what I mean, “At the Police” and different things like that. Always.
So I said, let me get the three giants, and let me just produce the music and produce the vibration of the song, and have them just lay it like only they can do it. And that’s how the song came about. Because we’re not telling anybody who to vote for, we just want them to know the type of bills that are out there. If certain candidates win, what will be at stake, you know? And the reason why we didn’t say anything about what’s in the bill is that we really want people to go do their own research. So when they do vote, they can vote intelligently. You know, if this is something they can live with, then vote for it. If it’s something you can’t live with, then don’t vote for it.
That’s all. You know, going back to what hip hop was originally made for, to be the voice of the people, especially for our culture.
“Project 2025” isn’t just about calling out a specific political plan—it’s about reminding people that their voices matter. Chuck D, KRS-One, Mele Mel, and Scorpio sending a message; they’re telling you to make sure you vote, and to make sure you know what’s at stake when you do. Hip-Hop has always been about more than music—it’s been about culture, resistance, and survival. And in a time where every vote counts, “Project 2025” is here to remind us of the power of our voices.
This is the type of Hip-Hop we need more of: real talk and real action.
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