Definately. Check out Rage Against The Machine. They are (actually were...they're breaking up) a rock band with serious hip-hop influences. The music is heavily political. Their lead singer is from Mexico, and a good deal of their music deals with the politics and situation of the people in the Cheopas region of Mexico. "Bulls On Parade" is an especially good song. But it's not what folkies would call folk, but it certainly does address the issues of the PEOPLE. Just because it is played on big electric guitars and has powerful rapping vocals doesn't mean it isn't worth recognizing. The last time I checked, traditional instruments do not a folk song make. And I you can bet that a kid in Mexico is more likely to look up to Alex & guys from Rage and not a mariachi player in a cantina playing happy little folksongs.