While America typically tries to condense King's social justice ideology to a convenient "I have a dream" soundbite, scrubbing his legacy clean of calls for black rebellion, there was, of course, much more to his message. From attacking economic injustice and poverty, to encouraging black resistance in the face of an aggressive oppressor, MLK's real legacy is rich and complex.

On MLK Day 2017, in the wake of Trump's impending inauguration as president of the United States, take a look at the way some of today's most prominent hip-hop artists chose to honor and acknowledge Dr. King's continued legacy.

From T.I., who just penned a powerful open letter to the president elect, to Russell Simmons, Talib Kweli and Common, some of today's most influential rapper's chimed in on what Martin Luther King and his social justice legacy means to them.

T.I. thanked Dr. King for his sacrifice. 

Common posted a picture of a jovial Dr. King and wished him a simple happy birthday.

Talib Kweli attended a meeting about continuing the movement at NYC's Apollo Theater yesterday.

Russell Simmons shared a cozy picture of Dr. King and his wife Coretta Scott King and their daughter, Bernice King, capturing it with a powerful quote. 

 

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