Abiodun Oyewole, 77-year-old co-founder of the groundbreaking hip-hop collective The Last Poets, remains unapologetic and uncompromising on his views about the state of music today. In an exclusive interview with our publication, Oyewole reflects on the group's enduring legacy and its profound influence on hip-hop culture.
Over the past five decades, The Last Poets have been at the forefront of a literary movement that merged jazz poetry with African-American oral traditions, yielding a revolutionary sound that spoke directly to the experiences of Black America. With their tight rhythms, insurgent message, and prevailing emphasis on Black consciousness, the group set the stage for hip-hop music as we know it today.
Oyewole acknowledges that The Last Poets' impact extends far beyond their own era, citing examples like Melle Mel, KRS One, and Common, who have all paid homage to the group's pioneering work. However, he also expresses disappointment at the watering down of hip-hop's message over time.
"We've lost our way," Oyewole says, lamenting the industry's efforts to homogenize music and reduce it to mere entertainment. "Our music has always been a reflection of our living, but we're dying spiritually." He attributes this decline to the lack of authenticity in modern hip-hop, where artists are more concerned with commercial success than with genuinely addressing social issues.
Oyewole is particularly critical of hip-hop's role in perpetuating racism and erasure. He believes that the industry's willingness to co-opt and trivialized Black language has made it easier for white supremacists like Donald Trump to dismiss Black excellence and critical race theory.
"Donald Trump, aka 'the Taco Man,' thinks he can erase our history by banning books and promoting ignorance," Oyewole scoffs. "But what he doesn't realize is that by trying to silence us, he's actually amplifying our message." The Last Poets' mission of empowering Black voices and reclaiming their power remains a beacon of hope in the face of chaos.
As we spoke with Oyewole, it was clear that his commitment to social justice and artistic authenticity has only deepened over the years. Despite the changing musical landscape, he remains resolute in his convictions, urging artists to return to their roots and speak truth to power.
"In times of great chaos, there's opportunity," Oyewole says with conviction. "The industry may think it's lost its way, but we must continue to push forward, using our music as a force for change."
Over the past five decades, The Last Poets have been at the forefront of a literary movement that merged jazz poetry with African-American oral traditions, yielding a revolutionary sound that spoke directly to the experiences of Black America. With their tight rhythms, insurgent message, and prevailing emphasis on Black consciousness, the group set the stage for hip-hop music as we know it today.
Oyewole acknowledges that The Last Poets' impact extends far beyond their own era, citing examples like Melle Mel, KRS One, and Common, who have all paid homage to the group's pioneering work. However, he also expresses disappointment at the watering down of hip-hop's message over time.
"We've lost our way," Oyewole says, lamenting the industry's efforts to homogenize music and reduce it to mere entertainment. "Our music has always been a reflection of our living, but we're dying spiritually." He attributes this decline to the lack of authenticity in modern hip-hop, where artists are more concerned with commercial success than with genuinely addressing social issues.
Oyewole is particularly critical of hip-hop's role in perpetuating racism and erasure. He believes that the industry's willingness to co-opt and trivialized Black language has made it easier for white supremacists like Donald Trump to dismiss Black excellence and critical race theory.
"Donald Trump, aka 'the Taco Man,' thinks he can erase our history by banning books and promoting ignorance," Oyewole scoffs. "But what he doesn't realize is that by trying to silence us, he's actually amplifying our message." The Last Poets' mission of empowering Black voices and reclaiming their power remains a beacon of hope in the face of chaos.
As we spoke with Oyewole, it was clear that his commitment to social justice and artistic authenticity has only deepened over the years. Despite the changing musical landscape, he remains resolute in his convictions, urging artists to return to their roots and speak truth to power.
"In times of great chaos, there's opportunity," Oyewole says with conviction. "The industry may think it's lost its way, but we must continue to push forward, using our music as a force for change."
. It's like they're more worried about getting that next Grammy than actually making a difference. I mean, come on Oyewole is right on point - we need artists to speak truth to power and not just talk about it 
. The industry has watered down the message and now it's all about the Benjamins 
. Where's the authenticity? Where's the realness? We can't just keep celebrating Black excellence without addressing the systemic racism that still exists today 
. Oyewole is right, we need to push forward and use our music as a force for change 
. Let's not forget where it all started and let's make sure our voices are still being heard 
!
. It feels like artists are more worried about getting that next big hit and making a quick buck than actually saying something real about what's going on in the world. Oyewole hits the nail on the head when he says we've lost our way - it's like music has become just another form of entertainment, rather than a powerful tool for social commentary and change.
. And don't even get me started on how often black language and culture are reduced to memes or cheap marketing ploys - it's so disingenuous.
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I'm so down with Abiodun Oyewole's thoughts on the current state of hip-hop! 
Like, what happened to the days when artists were speaking truth to power and inspiring change? 
Where's the substance? Where's the message? 
his point about the industry watering down hip hop's message is so true like how much more commercialized it has become now days 
and Oyewole's criticism of racism in hip hop hits way too close to home unfortunately what he says about Donald Trump being a white supremacist tho is totally unsubstantiated 
Oyewole's not afraid to speak truth to power and call out the haters, even if it means going up against someone as problematic as Donald Trump 
. I'm all about that #authenticity 
, let's keep pushing artists to be real and speak to the issues that matter 