Why do some hip-hop artists and scholars include knowledge of self as a fifth element of hip-hop?

While hip-hop is traditionally defined by four pillars—deejaying, rapping, graffiti, and break dancing—many scholars and socially conscious artists include "knowledge of self/consciousness" as a fifth essential element.12

This addition reflects the influence of movements like the Five Percent Nation, which emphasized self-understanding, dignity, and the realization of one's own divine nature as a means of empowerment for Black communities. By incorporating knowledge of self, these artists and scholars elevate hip-hop beyond mere entertainment, framing it as a vehicle for social awareness and personal enlightenment. This perspective has been notably championed by influential figures and groups in the culture, such as Rakim, Nas, Guru, and the Wu-Tang Clan, who integrated these philosophical and cultural teachings into their music.32