If it isn’t politics alone that’s mobilizing the masses, it’s music and politics. From Public Enemy’s early days of urging us to “fight the power,” to Kanye West’s candid blurb about Bush not caring about black people, there is no doubt that politics has found its place among musicians.

Or, have musicians found their place in politics?

This was the topic Tuesday at a panel discussion, “Mic Check: Music in Politics,” hosted by the Annenberg Latino Student Association. The impressive lineup, including USC professor Josh Kun with guests General Jeff (who’s not new to P+P) and NME Senior Reporter Laura Ferreiro, discussed the change of political music over time, and how corporate influence, artists’ greed, and consumers have suppressed powerful messages in music.

KPFK radio host and entertainment journalist Maria Armoudian spoke about the change of political messages in music from the 60s to now.

“In the 60s and 70s people who ran the music business were music people…they cared about music,” she said. “That shifted when it started to become big business. Music became more like a can of beans to sell.”

Armoudian and the other panelists agreed that though music remains political, it has become “watered down” because of corporate-owned record labels, radio stations who rotate top 20 “nuts-and-bolts” songs, and consumers who feed into the frenzy.

Panelist and USC professor Jody Armour agreed, adding that corporate takeover of the music business is one of the reasons why hip hop music has not lived up to its political heyday of the early 90s. He attributed today’s bland political messages to the artists’ greed as well, saying, “It is because they’re concerned about sales, they’re staying away [from being political].” To Armour, today’s rappers think twice about being as edgy, while their mentality is “I’ma’ bust a cap, as long as it doesn’t affect my sales!”

Bay Area emcee Gigio, who performed later that night, argued that some of today’s rappers are just as political as their predecessors Public Enemy and KRS-One. He listed acts like Atmosphere, Hieroglyphics, MF Doom, and Brother Ali, all whom have large fan bases overseas. “You’ll find very important messages [in their songs],” he said. “They are very grassroots oriented.”

But for the consumers, what if this is the only music that is within reach? After all, it is mainstream. Ferreiro suggested that most of the music on the radio, the “sexy take-off-your-clothes” songs, are songs that do not have a message and can dull the senses of the listeners. “Commercial radio is still a major popularizer of music and if all they’re playing are these generic songs that aren’t political, how do we know to go out and buy the other things,” she said. “If all I’ve ever had was water to drink, how would I ever even know to order a margarita?”

Ferreiro did add, however, that the internet and digital music sharing is now playing a major role in spreading music of artists that do not get airplay, including those that contain “dangerous” political messages.

Other points mentioned were that other genres like alternative, indie rock, and folk have had shining political moments with artists like Rage Against the Machine and Steve Earle, but none so much as to spur on contemporary movements as strong as hip hop. But Kun adds that there are new genres that are gaining a voice, like latin punk and regional mexican music, both of which speak out on immigration issues.

In the end, all of the panelists agreed that hip hop continues to be the most powerful mover in political music today. To prove this point, a music video produced by Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am that supports Obama was shown, which was compared to Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power.” The panelists noted slight differences, but concluded that there is the same purpose of rejecting the status quo and demanding change.

After the discussion, I had a chance to sit with General Jeff. He gave me the rundown on where he thinks hip hop is headed and how today’s emcees can maintain their political voice and integrity:

General Jeff, Community Organizer and 1st Generation Hip Hop Artist from Gaille Chua on Vimeo.