HELP!--hip hop music recommendations please

I work with a group of at-risk inner city kids, providing music- and creativity-based mentoring--kind of like a Big Brother with a guitar and a keyboard.

I'm not a fan of hip hop, but the kids are into it. They bring CDs in for us to listen to or as songs to learn, but generally what they bring is just awful--very negative sexual, lifestyle and personal messages.

Does anyone have recommendations for good, positive, socially responsible, preferably progressive hip hop or urban dance tracks? They don't have to be "message" songs, but they have to be suitable for a "family" audience and something worth having the kids (not to mention me) learn.

Thanks!

sharp like an edge of a samurai sword
the mental blade cut through flesh and bone
though my mind's at peace, the world out of order
missing the inner heat, life gets colder
oh yes, I have to find my path
no less, walk on earth, water, and fire
the elements compose a magnum opus
my modus is operandi is amalgam
steel packed tight in microchip
on my arm a sign of all-pro
the ultimate reward is honor, not awards
at odds with the times in wars with no lords

a freelancer,
a battle cry of a hawk make a dove fly and a tear dry
wonder why a lone wolf don't run with a klan
only trust your instincts and be one with the plan

some days, some nights
some live, some die
in the way of the samurai
some fight, some bleed
sun up to sun down
the sons of a battlecry

some days, some nights
some live, some die
in the way of the samurai
some fight, some bleed
sun up to sun down
the sons of a battlecry

look, just the air around him
an aura surrounding the heir apparent
he might be a peasant but shine like grand royalty
he to the people and land, loyalty
we witness above all to hear this,
sea sickness in the ocean of wickedness
set sail to the sun set no second guessing

far east style with the spirit of wild west
the "quote-unquote" code stands the test of
time for the chosen ones to find the best of
noble minds that ever graced the face of
a hemisphere with no fear, fly over

the blue yonder where
the sky meets the sea
and eye meets no eye
and boy meets world
and became a man to serve the world
to save the day, the night, and the girl too

I'll see what the kids think.

Thanks!

great list

99% of their shit is very positive, socially responsible and progressive. Cursing aside...

Okay, everything after "License To Ill"

Adam Yauch (MCA) is sort of a mentor for me.

I'll try some on the kids.

They think of that as "old school"

however, after License To Ill, the BBoys took a turn. "Paul's Boutique" touches on advancement, but after that, it's all good.

Old school meets new school with the Beasties. Plus, they're pretty frikkin cool...

If you can wait till tomorrow afternoon; I will pick hubby the dj's brain (he won't be home until 5 am and then asleep)and get a short list for you. He knows all....
PM me tomorrow if you still need them and remind me---about late morning or early afternoon.

This will really be for our sessions that start again after the first of the year.

The DJ hubby will be a big help. :-)