Dead Prez is a pair of largely-underground alternative rappers, Sticman and M-1. They have become known largely for a hard-hitting style and politically-aware lyrics, focusing on racism, critical pedagogy, governmental hypocrisy and corporate control over media, especially in hip hop. Their debut album was Let's Get Free (2000, see 2000 in music), which had a minor hit with "Hip Hop" the year before. The album was critically well-received, and included intense political diatribes featuring prominent black revolutionary Omali Yeshitela, as well as "Animal in Man ," a retelling of George Orwell's Animal Farm. Some argue that Let's Get Free is one of the most influential albums in rap. In 2001 they collaborated with The Coup, another politically active hip hop outfit, to release Get Up. In 2004 Columbia Records finally released "Revolutionary But Gangsta ".

Some of Dead Prez's fan base have accused them of giving up on their revolutionary aspects in exchange for their 'Gangsta' side after "Revolutionary But Gangsta" was released.

Dead prez also released the independant mix tape turn off the radio, volume 1 in 2002. This was followed by the 2003 release of get free or die tryin', turn off the radio volume 2

Related Topics

• Public Enemy
• Poor Righteous Teachers