Fresh Voices in Hip-hop: Invincible

Detroit rapper Invincible is as notable for her uncompromising, talk-the-talk rhyming as she is for her uncompromising, walk-the-walk community activism.

Unlike other artists who keep their music front and center while engaging in token charity work, Invincible's impressive lyrical art is firmly embedded in her commitment to progressive social change. And vice versa, to the point where it's difficult to separate the two. Whether taking the lead on gentrification issues in urban Detroit or taking a stand on the Israel-Palestine conflict, the 313 MC isn't afraid to tackle the world's problems. Oh yeah—she's also a fellow of Kresge Arts in Detroit and the Ellen Stone Belic Institute for Women and Gender in the Arts and Media.

Invincible shares two things—astute verbal communication skills and whiteness—with the Motor City's most famous hip-hop export, Eminem. Where she differs is in her avoidance of major label courtship, choosing instead to set up her own media company Emergence to release her music. Listening to her outstanding 2008 debut ShapeShifters is proof that this was a good move.

See and hear "Detroit Summer" below, Invincible's collaboration with fellow Detroiter (it's the official demonym, really) and hip-hop producer Waajeed. It offers a glimpse of what summer looks like in other cities while Seattle creeps into what 85% of the world calls spring. It's all purple Cadillac and speedboat-budget rap video business as usual until 1:44,  when Invincible suddenly switches the background to an inner-city gentrification project and looks more at home. After witnessing London and other cities across England burning to the ground by a generation bereft of responsibility to their own communities over the past few days, this song and video bring into context the importance of what Invincible is doing in her city.

Get more Invincible and learn more about her latest hip-hop and neighborhood projects here.