Common

As respected as Common is as both an actor and a musician, he's also as much of a mainstream poet as we have in 2017. It was no surprise that he released one of the most beautiful and powerful protest-laden albums in recent memory with November's Black America Again dropping immediately before the presidential election, and Common remains one of the most thoughtful and progressive artists rhyming for social justice and rights, particularly when he brings in other iconic voices like Stevie Wonder and John Legend.

Run the Jewels

Ever since Run the Jewels burst on to the scene in 2013, it's been clear that Killer Mike and El-P aren't interested in acting like everyone else in the music industry. Whether it's surprise album releases or crowdfunded cat-based remixes, both halves of RTJ are absolutely committed to doing their own thing. As part of that, not only has a good portion of their music been politically and socially charged, but Killer Mike has become one of the most visible hip-hop artists in politics today. From making the rounds on political morning shows to campaigning for Bernie Sanders, it's impossible to miss his contributions to helping right the wrongs in the political world.

Vince Staples

Sure, Vince Staples might be offensive to some suburban white soccer moms with small children, but is that so different than how Dr. King was viewed half of a century ago? Whether he's discussing gang violence in his hometown of Long Beach or the struggles that young people of all races are feeling, Staples uses his vicious sarcasm and wit to keep it real and speak important cultural truths beyond what so many current artists are doing.

See what else made it into our Top 8 by visiting its official page.