When you think of hip-hop music, you usually don’t think about poetry. But that’s exactly what hip-hop is: Poetry put to words. Hip-hop is storytelling; it is hopes, dreams, and imagery. It is the breath of life for the black community. It speaks of the struggle and oppression of our people. From KRS1, to Run DMC, to modern day laureates like Kendrick Lamar, hip-hop tells the story and struggle of the black race as a whole. However, it’s not portrayed that way in American society. Hip-hop is perpetuated as saggy pants, gold chains, gangs, violence, drugs, sex, alcohol, and misogyny. When you think of "rock n' roll," you automatically think of Elvis (P.S. He didn’t invent "rock n' roll," black people did), the Rolling Stones, Queen, and others. Hip-hop and rock share some of the same messages in case you didn’t know. Here are five hip-hop poets you may or may not know about:

1. Tupac Shakur:

Everybody knows Tupac; he’s considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. When you think of hip-hop music, Pac is one of the first names that comes to mind. Legally born Lesane Parish Crooks, Pac, as he’s known to his legions of fans, was born in East Harlem on June 16, 1971. The son of former Black Panthers, Pac carried himself with what can easily be considered as the essence of Black Pride. He attended the Baltimore School of the Arts with actress Jada Pinket Smith. While there he studied poetry, jazz, ballet and even performed in Shakespearian plays. While he had many street records, Pac is responsible for some of the most socially conscious hip-hop records like “Brenda’s got a Baby,” “Changes,” and “Keep Your Head Up.” Even though it’s been nearly 20 years since his murder, these songs, which speak of gang violence, police brutality, poverty, and racism, are still relevant today.

“I see no changes, all I see is racist faces, misplaced hate makes disgrace to races we under. I wonder what it takes to make this one better let’s erase the wasted. Take the evil out the people, they’ll be actin right. Cause both Black and White are smoking crack tonight. And only time we chill is when we kill each other. It takes skill to be real, time to heal each other”- “Changes” (1998)

2. The Notorious B.I.G.:

Born Christopher George Latore Wallace, The Notorious B.I.G., or Biggie Smalls as he’s sometimes known, is also considered one of the greatest rappers of all time. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Biggie grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant projects where he began dealing drugs at the age of 12. He dropped out of high school at age 17 and became heavily involved in crime. Following his release from prison in 1991, Big made a rap demo which garnered the attention of then Uptown Records producer Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs. When Puff left Uptown and began his own record label, Bad Boy records, Biggie was the first artist he signed. Big is known for his smooth lyrics and incredible way with words. Perhaps his most famous song is the 1994 hit “Juicy.” “Juicy” tells the story of how a young boy from Brooklyn went from "selling drugs just to feed my daughter," to the cover of Source Magazine. Though his career was cut down when he was murdered in 1997, Big’s career continues to have an impact on future generations.

“Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, when I was dead broke man I couldn’t picture this. 50-inch- screen money green leather sofa, got two rides a limousine with the chauffeur. Phone bill about two g’s flat, no need to worry my accountant handles that. And my whole crew is lounging, celebrating every day no more public housing…damn right I like the life I live cause I went from negative to positive and it’s all good.”- “Juicy” (1994)

3. Jay Z:

Jay Z, aka Shawn Corey Carter, is one of today's most well-known hip-hop artists. Born and raised in Brooklyn's Marcy Projects, Jay’s rise to fame is similar to that of his good friend The Notorious BIG. Jay went from selling crack cocaine, to becoming one of the greatest rappers of all time. Jay Z’s music is the cornerstone to my childhood; if I wasn’t listening to Tupac or Biggie, I was jamming to Jay Z. Jay’s career began in the mid-1990’s when he started selling his album out of the back of his car. Shortly after creating the Roc-a-Fella label, he released his debut album "Reasonable Doubt" in 1996. Jay Z is such a lyrical genius that his 2001 album “The Blueprint” was written in a total of two days. Jay Z is one of the few artists who can go into retirement and then come back better than ever. Even at the age of 46, Jay Z is still considered one of the hottest rappers in the industry.

“Sweet King Martin, sweet Queen Coretta, Sweet Brother Malcolm, sweet Queen Betty, Sweet Mother Mary, Sweet Father Joseph, Sweet Jesus, we made it in America, Sweet baby Jesus, oh Sweet Baby Jesus, we made it in America”-“Made in America” Ft. Frank Ocean (2011)

4. Kanye West:

While I’m personally not a fan of the new Kanye (aka Yeezus), he’s on my list because he has definitely had an influential impact on hip-hop music. He began rapping in third grade and was composing music and making beats by the time he was in middle school. After dropping out of college, West began his career as a writer and producer for other artists in the music industry. He became a solo artist when his debut single “Through the Wire,” which detailed his life story up to his near fatal 2002 car crash, was released. “Through the Wire,” which he recorded with his mouth wired shut due to surgery from his accident, set the stage for his debut album, ironically titled “College Dropout.” West’s controversial topics and even wilder antics (who can forget his “George Bush doesn’t care about Black people” outburst in 2005?) have led to several successful albums. My personal favorites are College Dropout, Late Registration and Graduation…you know, back when Kanye was still Pro Black…

“I say F the police that’s how I treat em we buy a way out of jail but we can’t buy freedom. We’ll buy a lot of clothes when we don’t really need em. Things to buy to cover up what’s inside that’s why they made us hate ourself and love they wealth that’s why, shorties holla ‘where the baller’s at?’ drug dealer buy Jordan’s crackhead buy crack and the White man get paid off of all of that…”-"All Falls Down" Ft. Syleena Johnson (2003)

5. Kendrick Lamar:

Relatively new to the hip-hop scene, Lamar has been making headlines since the release of his “Good Kid, M.A.D.D City” album in 2012. His single “Don’t Kill my Vibe” garnered the attention of the entire hip-hop community. The single, which has several remixes including rapper Jay Z and singer Emilie Sandae, set the standard of what true Hip Hop music is supposed to be. Born and raised in Compton, California Kendrick, or K-Dot as he’s known to fans, has his own swag and uniqueness that can be found on his albums. His popularity (and controversy) only gained momentum with last year’s album “To Pimp a Butterfly,” which is perhaps one of the best albums I’ve heard in a long time. Kendrick’s albums are more than just music; each track is laced with deep content and tells a story of oppression, plight, struggle, and enlightenment of a nation. Not only that, but his album is a combination of not just hip hop music, but Jazz, funk, and even a bit of soul.

“When you know we been hurt been down before, when our pride was low, looking at the world like where do we go? And we hate po po’s when they kill us dead in the streets for sure, I’m at the preacher’s door, my knees getting weak and my gun might blow but we gon be alright”- “Alright” (2015)

Hip-hop is more than just baggy pants, drugs, and a good time. It is police brutality, it is a hustle, it is oppression, it is poverty; most importantly, it is a reality for most of its listeners. It speaks of a truth so brutal, so grimy that a good beat is necessary to forget about the pain in which the rappers speak of. It brings songs of hope, messages of inspiration and social consciousness that in order to understand you would truly have to be ‘bout that life.