I think Afrocentrism in the Black community (i use black because i am referring to the descendants of slaves rather than the recent immigrants from Africa) is a bit misleading. I mean it often helps to propagate racism, and definitely helps deepen the divide between ethnic groups in America. Immortal technique says "as much as racism bleed america we need to understand classism is the real issue".
as an outsider to the entire American community looking in, the Blacks are something new, neither African nor European but American. i think that is really important, rather than looking back towards the continent that betrayed them and sold them into slavery and exile. perhaps a focus on a new identity might be better than being trapped in the past?
I agree that the focus on criminal activity in modern rappers is a bad thing, but there are many who discuss other things, Mos Def, Immortal technique, Dead Prez and others are representative of this group. however they are stilled tainted with occasional outbursts of racism.