In his conversation with Bootleg Kev, 19 Keys broke down the significance of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s teachings and how they shaped Black consciousness, economic empowerment, and even hip-hop culture. He also critiqued the modern framing of Black history, arguing that it often promotes a victim mindset rather than one of victory and resilience.
Intersectionality & The Misrepresentation of Black Struggles
19 Keys opened the discussion by addressing how mainstream narratives have distorted Black men’s realities. He criticized the term “cisgender” and argued that many social justice movements have pushed ideologies that don’t align with Black America’s values. He particularly took issue with intersectionality, which he described as an attempt to group Black women, LGBTQ individuals, and white women together under the banner of oppression while ignoring the struggles of heterosexual Black men.
He pointed out how conversations around venture capital funding, for example, often highlight how little goes to Black women but fail to acknowledge that Black men also receive less than 1% of funding. Instead of competing over “who gets less,” he advocated for a family-oriented mindset where the focus is on collective upliftment.
The Erasure of Economic Success in Black History
19 Keys argued that mainstream African-American studies often leave out some of the most successful Black leaders and movements. While Black Wall Street is commonly cited as an example of Black economic power, he noted that the Nation of Islam’s economic network under Elijah Muhammad was even more expansive, generating what would be worth half a billion dollars today. Unlike Black Wall Street, which was violently destroyed, the Nation of Islam’s empire wasn’t dismantled by external forces—it was inherited and later broken down from within.
By omitting these success stories, he argued, Black history is often framed as a series of tragic losses rather than a history of resilience, victory, and self-sufficiency.
Shifting Black Consciousness from Oppression to Power
According to 19 Keys, the way Black history is taught creates a perception of weakness rather than strength. He called for a greater emphasis on warrior figures like John Horse, who fought multiple battles for Black freedom. He also noted how the dominant narratives surrounding figures like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. create unnecessary division—presenting Malcolm as radical and Martin as passive, when in reality, both men evolved in their perspectives and sought self-sufficiency for Black people.
He stressed that many people admire Malcolm X symbolically—getting tattoos or wearing merchandise—but fail to truly study and implement his teachings. He warned against making influential leaders into empty symbols without understanding the substance behind their messages.
Elijah Muhammad’s Influence on Hip-Hop, Health, & Self-Sufficiency
19 Keys explored how Elijah Muhammad’s influence extended far beyond religion. Without him, hip-hop culture would look drastically different—there would be no Five-Percent Nation, which shaped artists like Rakim, Wu-Tang Clan, and even Public Enemy. His teachings on diet and health also influenced figures like Dr. Sebi, who credited Muhammad as the only Black leader who truly cared about the community’s well-being.
Furthermore, he highlighted how Elijah Muhammad’s economic philosophy—advocating for Black-owned businesses, banks, and independent industries—challenged the mainstream civil rights narrative. Instead of fighting for a seat on white-owned buses, he pushed for Black people to own their own transportation systems.
Martin Luther King’s Overlooked Economic Message
19 Keys also discussed how Martin Luther King Jr.’s later teachings have been sanitized for mainstream consumption. While MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech is widely celebrated, his shift toward economic empowerment and critiques of America’s moral bankruptcy are rarely emphasized. King came to realize that mere integration wouldn’t solve systemic issues—Black people needed their own financial infrastructure to truly thrive. However, this message was far less palatable to the powers that be, which is why the dream speech is commercialized while his later speeches remain largely ignored.
A Call for a New Black Consciousness
Throughout the conversation, 19 Keys emphasized that today’s generation resonates more with radical self-sufficiency than assimilationist approaches. He called for a renewed focus on economic independence, cultural pride, and self-determination—principles deeply rooted in the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, Marcus Garvey, and other overlooked Black leaders.
His ultimate message? Black people must reclaim their narrative, study the teachings of their revolutionary leaders, and apply those lessons to build a stronger, more self-reliant future.
