In what often seems like a genre focused on getting cars, cash, and girls, rap often gets a bad rap. Some of the genre's most talented voices use their powers for good.
Or they try. Instead of playing to the lowest common denominator, their politically charged and often personal song lyrics are an attempt to alter the course of pop culture.
It's easy to sell records when songs are about Miley Cyrus Twerking. Making people listen to your song about class struggles, religion, and racism is a different story.
Fortunately, some rappers have made this their mission. They're the voices of political discourse for their generation. And they know the meaning of one simple word: diversify.
Instead of focusing solely on their careers as musical artists, they've branched out into the world of music production, acting, apparel, and public speaking.
Drake may not know the square root of 69, but he does know a thing or two about rap and joins a list of our 17 most intelligent rappers ever, a group of most definitely smart men.
Bottom line: There's more than one way to bank the Benjamins while spreading your message than merely rapping about being all about the Benjamins.