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Politics Unusual - Jay Z and Harry Belafonte have been in a bit of a back-and-forth about just how active today's most popular artists are when it comes to social activism. Jay claims he's like Obama: his mere presence — given the historical context of things — is a sign of hope and change. But, that doesn't mean that he, or other bags-to-riches rappers, hasn't at least addressed today's most pressing issues. Check out some prime examples from Jay and other rappers who you may not have expected to hear spit so obvi about the politics. (Photo: Brian Ach/Getty Images)

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Jadakiss - "Why" - “Why is the industry designed to keep the artist in debt?/ And why they give you life for a murder, turn around only give you eight months for a burner?/ Why do n---as push pounds and powder/ Why did Bush knock down the towers.”Jadakiss took a moment from his usual repertoire to hit his fans with a barrage of challenging questions of the day in his 2004 song “Why.” (Photo Stuart Ramson / PictureGroup)

Photo By Stuart Ramson/PictureGroup

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Young Jeezy - “My President Is Black” - Jeezy took his talents all the way to the White House with his 2008 Obama-dedicated single “My President Is Black” ... well almost. The ATL rapper made it all the way to a performance of the song at an event in D.C. during inaugural weekend, but he didn’t get a chance to perform for the president himself. Still, his song was the unofficial street anthem celebrating Obama’s 2008 victory. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for BET)

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2 Live Crew - "Banned in the USA" - Miami’s 2 Live Crew lived up to their name, proving to be "too live" for Florida Governor Bob Martinez, who deemed their third album, 1989‘s Nasty as They Wanna Be, as being too obscene for parental advisory stickers. Ultimately the judge’s ruling was overturned and 2 Live Crew’s First Amendment rights were upheld, which resulted in a follow-up album, Banned in the U.S.A., with the title track championing free speech and other songs that expressed that right, including “F--- Martinez” and “Face Down, A-- Up.” (Photo: Luke Records)

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Lil Wayne - "Georgia Bush" - In a rare moment, New Orleans native Lil Wayne released “Georgia,” a mixtape track that critiqued President Bush’s response to Hurricane Katrina. Weezy initially wanted to perform the song at the Grammys the year he won Best Rap Album of the Year but, for whatever reason, opted for a less politically-charged song. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Ludacris - "Politics As Usual" - Although then-presidential hopeful Barack Obama had previously embraced Ludacris, saying that he had a few of his songs in rotation on his iPod, he later had to distance himself from the ATL rep after his 2008 “Politics as Usual” song was released. Luda, eager to support Obama, neglected the fact that there is a certain code of ethics artists have to abide by when stepping into the political arena, and he definitely overstepped his boundaries by criticizing Hillary Clinton. (Photo by Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

Photo By Brad Barket/PictureGroup

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Too $hort - "The Ghetto" - When you say the name Too $hort, a few choice expletives (usually being screamed at the top of your lungs) may come to mind. However, the L.A.-born, Oakland-raised West Coast legend’s early career was sprinkled with political commentary, most notably “The Ghetto,” a single off his 1990 Short Dog’s in the House, about the struggles of living in the 'hood. (Shareif Ziyadat/PictureGroup)

Photo By Shareif Ziyadat/PictureGroup r

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Joell Ortiz - "Letter to Obama" - In July of 2008, and in the heat of the election year, Joell Ortiz penned a hopeful letter to presidential hopeful Barack Obama. The Brooklyn MC felt the song was so important that he even filmed a video for the Salaam Remi-produced track.

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Eve - “Love Is Blind” - Eve poignantly addressed domestic violence in her 1999 track “Love Is Blind” off her debut album, Let There Be Eve ... Ruff Ryders’ First Lady. With Faith Evans on the hook, Eve told the story of a young woman being abused by her significant other from the viewpoint of her vengeful friend.(Photo: RuffRyders)

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Kanye West - “Diamonds From Sierra Leone” - At a time when rocking ice was still en vogue in the rap world, Kanye West went to the left, like he usually does, to openly question the controversial diamond trade. More specifically West rapped about conflict diamonds and the West African children forced to mine them and fight in civil wars. The song, which was the lead single on Mr. West’s second studio album, Late Registration, definitely made a powerful statement. (Photo: Def Jam)

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Jay Z - "Minority Report” - Jay Z seldom throws his hat into political conversations on wax, however, he did dedicate his song “Minority Report” to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Dr. Dre–produced track, off his 2006 Kingdom Come album, defended the residents of New Orleans and called into question the government’s response to the tragedy.

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Prodigy - “Real Power Is People” - Prodigy managed to challenge the power structure in America, promoting a couple of conspiracy theories surrounding 9/11 and fueling Illuminati theories all in one song, his “Real Power Is People.” It’s not as bad or as militant as it sounds, though. From another perspective, the song is an uplifting track promoting the idea that there's strength in numbers. (Photo: Monique Show)

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Geto Boys - "Point of No Return" - Although they typically stick to necrophilia, blood and all things gruesome, the Geto Boys got real deep and flipped the bird to the American flag on “Point of No Return.”  The Houston natives also spoke on race, claiming the deaths of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X came at the hands of government officials.