“Now I’m lost and I’m weary, so many tears, I’m suicidal, so don’t stand near me” – Tupac, So Many Tears (1995)
Hip-hop has always been more than just music. It is a way for people to tell their stories, speak out about struggles and connect with others. Over the years, one of the biggest things hip-hop has done is help people talk about mental health. Many Black communities have long ignored or avoided talking about mental health but hip-hop has helped open up conversations about depression, anxiety, trauma, and healing (McLean Hospital, 2025). Hip-hop and mental health awareness have grown together, showing how music can be a powerful tool for change.
Why Mental Health has been a Tough Topic in the Black Community
For a long time, mental health was not something many Black people talked about openly. Some people believed that going to therapy was only for people who were weak or that they should just pray and push through hard times. Many also didn’t trust doctors and therapists because of past mistreatment, like the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, where Black men were used for medical experiments without their consent.
A lot of people suffered in silence due to this. But hip-hop has helped change that by making it safe for people to talk about mental health struggles and by showing that even the strongest people go through tough times. The way hip-hop influenced mental health discussions has been transformative which has given many people the confidence to seek help.
Hip-Hop as an Outlet for Pain and Struggles
From the very beginning, hip-hop has been a way for people to express their feelings. Early rap music focused on issues like poverty, racism, and police brutality, but over time, artists started sharing more personal stories about their own struggles with mental health.
One of the first rappers to do this was Tupac Shakur. His songs like So Many Tears and Changes talked about pain, sadness, and wanting a better life. He showed that even tough and successful people have moments of doubt and sadness.
“I see no changes. I wake up in the morning and I ask myself, is life worth living should I blast myself? – Tupac, Changes (2007)
Rappers speaking out about mental health
In recent years, artists like Kid Cudi, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole have continued to talk about mental health in their music.
Kid Cudi has always been open about his struggles with depression and anxiety. His songs like Pursuit of Happiness and Man on the Moon talk about feeling lost and trying to find peace. He also spoke publicly about his time in rehab and encouraged fans to get help when they need it. His work has been instrumental in connecting Black mental health and music.
“You don’t really know about nothin’, nothin’
Tell me what you know about them night terrors every night
Five AM cold sweats, waking up to the sky” – Pursuit of Happiness (2009)
Kendrick Lamar in his song u, he talks to himself about his fears and mistakes, showing just how deep mental health struggles can go. In an interview he expressed “That was one of the hardest songs I had to write. There’s some very dark moments in there. All my insecurities and selfishness and letdowns. That shit is depressing as a motherfucker. But it helps, though, it helps.”
“Are you the reason why mama and them leavin’
No you ain’t shit, you say you love them, I know you don’t mean it
I know you’re irresponsible, selfish, in denial, can’t help it
Your trials and tribulations a burden, everyone felt it” – u (2015)
Making Mental Health Conversations Normal
Hip-hop and mental health go hand in hand since many artists use their music to speak openly about struggles like depression and anxiety. This helps break the stigma around mental health in the Black community and encourages fans to open up about their own challenges.
How hip-hop influences mental health discussions goes beyond music. In 2018, Kid Cudi and Jada Pinkett Smith had a public talk about mental health, proving that even celebrities face struggles.
A powerful example of Black mental health and music is Logic’s song 1-800-273-8255, named after the suicide prevention hotline. After it was released, calls to the hotline increased which shows how music can save lives.
More rappers speaking out about mental health and hip-hop artists and mental health advocacy help make therapy more accepted. By sharing their struggles, they raise hip-hop and therapy awareness and promote music and mental health awareness in a way that connects with people.
Hip-Hop Therapy: Music as a Healing Tool
Hip-hop is not just inspiring people to talk about mental health but it is also being used as an actual form of therapy. Hip-Hop Therapy (HHT) by Dr. Edgar H. Tyson (1998) is a type of therapy where rap lyrics and hip-hop culture help young people deal with trauma and mental health struggles. Hip-hop and therapy awareness have grown together, creating new ways to heal.
There are programs like Beats Rhymes and Life in Oakland that help youngsters express their feelings through rap. Instead of just talking to a therapist, they get to write and perform music, which makes the healing process more relatable and comfortable for them.
Challenges That Still Exist
Even though hip-hop has helped change the conversation there are still big challenges. The music industry still often promotes unhealthy ways of coping such as drug use and drinking. Many artists have lost their lives due to addiction which shows just how dangerous these coping mechanisms can be.
Another challenge is access to therapy. While more people are open to the idea of therapy, many Black communities don’t have enough Black therapists, and therapy can be expensive. According to a statistics given by National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI, 2024) only about 4% of psychologists in the U.S. are Black, which makes it harder for Black individuals to find someone who understands their experiences.
The Future of Hip-Hop and Mental Health Awareness
Hip-hop has already done so much to break down the stigma around mental health, but there is still more to do. Artists will continue to push conversations forward, and organizations will keep working to make mental health resources more accessible.
By keeping these discussions alive and using music as a way to heal, hip-hop can continue to make a huge difference in how the Black community views and addresses mental health. If more artists speak out, more people will feel comfortable seeking the help they need. Hip-hop has already changed the game but now it is time to keep pushing forward. The connection between music and mental health awareness is stronger than ever and hip-hop will continue to be at the forefront of this important movement.
References
- Hip-Hop Therapy. Hip-Hop Therapy. Published 2018. https://www.hiphoptherapy.com/
- National Alliance on Mental Illness. Mental Health Inequities: Racism and Racial Discrimination. NAMI. https://www.nami.org/advocacy/policy-priorities/supporting-community-inclusion-and-non-discrimination/mental-health-inequities-racism-and-racial-discrimination/.
- Easley D. 8 Hip Hop Songs That Promote Mental Health Awareness – BlackDoctor.org. BlackDoctor.org. Published June 23, 2021. Accessed February 19, 2025. https://blackdoctor.org/8-hip-hop-songs-that-promote-mental-health-awareness/
- 24 Rap Songs That Address Mental Health & Depression – Okayplayer. www.okayplayer.com. https://www.okayplayer.com/originals/rap-songs-that-address-mental-health-depression.html
- Eells J. The Trials of Kendrick Lamar – Rolling Stone. Rollingstone.com. Published June 22, 2015. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-trials-of-kendrick-lamar-33057/
- Mass General Brigham McLean. Understanding Mental Health in Black Communities | McLean Hospital. www.mcleanhospital.org. Published November 8, 2022. https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/black-mental-health
- Dixson C. Bridging the gap to address Black mental health disparities | Pursuit | University of Michigan School of Public Health | Mental Health | Health Disparities | Health Behavior and Health Education |. sph.umich.edu. Published April 12, 2024. https://sph.umich.edu/pursuit/2024posts/black-mental-health-disparities-2024.html
- Black Mental Health: Statistics, Resources and Services | Wake Forest University. WFU Online Counseling. Published September 14, 2020. https://counseling.online.wfu.edu/blog/black-mental-health-resources/
- Niederkrotenthaler T, Tran US, Gould M, et al. Association of Logic’s hip hop song “1-800-273-8255” with Lifeline calls and suicides in the United States: interrupted time series analysis. BMJ. 2021;375:e067726. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2021-067726
- pwsbuilder. (2023, May 29). Understanding the Tuskegee Experiment – Anti-Racism Commitment Coalition. Anti-Racism Commitment Coalition. https://joinarcc.org/understanding-the-tuskegee-experiment/?gad_source=1
