Slideshow: Hip-hop's political alter egos

Malcolm X/Tupac Shukur

Some may question ‘Pac as Malcolm, but if one traces his street beginnings in New York and Baltimore to his wild times out West, there are many similarities. Tupac even went through a mental pilgrimage when he started to unify with East Coast rapper before his death. Like Malcolm, Pac was led by passion and lived a turbulent life. Even if you didn’t agree with him, you identified with his pain and his vision.

W.E.B. Dubois/Mos Def and Talib Kweli

W.E.B. Dubois was one of the finest critical thinkers that America has ever seen and Mos Def and Talib Kweli are two of the most intelligent artists in modern music. Dubois was a voracious writer and reader and so are Mos and Kwa. In 2000, Talib Kweli and Mos Def bought Nkiru Books, the oldest African-American bookstore in Brooklyn.

Stokely Carmichael/KRS-One

Stokely Carmichael and KRS-One have many similarities. Stokley was a prominent leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) of the 60’s and KRS-One started the Stop The Violence Movement of the 80’s. But, KRS-One is a student of Stokely. He featured Stokely’s teachings on his album Edutainment and name-checked him several times through his career.

Frederick Douglass/Nas

Frederick Douglass was many things in his life, but one of the most important was an eloquent writer. He penned several books like Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Nas is also an esteemed writer in his own way, crafting several classic albums and songs that tell his life story and that of America

Harriet Tubman/Sister Souljah

When you hear Sister Soulja roar, “We are at war!” it is easy to understand why she is the Harriet Tubman for the Hip-Hop community. Both helped enslaved peoples, while one was physical captivity and the other mental – through writing and music. Tubman was literally a soldier in the Civil War and her modern day sister has fought alongside Public Enemy in their fight for equality.

Marcus Garvey/Jay Z

There are so many ways that Jay-Z is not the Marcus Garvey of Rap. Certainly, Jay hasn’t exactly served as a Black Nationalist or a Pan Africanist. But, like Garvey, Jay is one acclaimed spokesman for Hip-Hop and an accomplished entrepreneur.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr./Notorious B.I.G.

If Pac, is Malcolm, we had to make Biggie Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., understanding fully how blasphemous that notion really is. Nevertheless, Big was the consummate orator on the mic and he was able to move the people in his own way. Despite the many shots Tupac took at him, for the most part, Biggie took the peaceful route with Pac. The good die young and Biggie was tragically taken from us by an assassin’s hateful bullet as was the late, great Dr. King.

Barack Obama/Will Smith

Will Smith is a natural to be the Barack Obama of Hip-Hop for his innate charming ways, leadership and family-oriented lifestyle. Will has also suggested that he would one day run for the high office and he’ll probably achieve it if his past accomplishments are any indication.

Minister Louis Farrakhan/Chuck D of Public Enemy

Minister Louis Farrakhan is well respected by almost everybody in hip-hop, even if you don't agree with his politics. Chuck D is similar in this regard, and when he speaks people listen. At a time when both hip-hop and the black community are looking for leaders, they always seem to be able to turn for Farrakhan and Chuck D for guidance and wisdom.

Khalid Muhammad/Ice Cube

Ice Cube and the late Khalid Muhammad are two of the most incendiary speakers of their time. Both have ignited anger, fear and controversy in the manner that they have addressed race relations and white supremacy. No joke allowed.

Maulana Karenga/Afrika Bambaataa

Afrika Bambaataa is Maulana Karenga of hip-hop. Maulana Karenga is an activist that created the celebration known as Kwanzaa. The Zulu Nation, Bam's organization, hasn't started any holidays but they spread the doctrine of "unity, peace, love and having fun: all over the globe.

Rosa Parks/Lauryn Hill

There were females in Civil Rights before Rosa Parks and there were females before Lauryn Hill. Nevertheless, both touched a cord in hearts of people that vibrates to this day.

The Black Panthers/Dead Prez

When you want to get to the people you have to call Dead Prez. They are doing the work at the bottom.

Rev. Jesse Jackson/Diddy

There’s no real connection between these two, but they just seem to have similar qualities.