The Lumpen was a musical band created by members of the Black Panther Party (BPP) to promote the party's political messages and activities. They were active in creating political music and social commentary for the BPP, including songs calling for the freeing of black political prisoners in the US and music in support of the party's community aid programs.

During their short career, The Lumpen collaborated with Muhammad Ali and Curtis Mayfield on a prison concert, as well as being on friendly terms with popular R&B bands of the time including The Dells and The Stylistics, both of which were fans of The Lumpen.

The exact details of the origin of The Lumpen as a band are unclear. The original members of the band were all Black Panther Party members who met each other doing work for the party in San Francisco, some of whom had played music with each other in the past. The skill levels varied greatly from church choirs to professional careers in the music industry.

The Black Panther Party's minister of culture, Emory Douglas, suggested to the founding members that they start the band. Emory chose the name "The Lumpen" after the Marxist idea of the lumpenproletariat. However, it is also believed that the name chosen for The Lumpen was inspired by The Wretched of the Earth by Marxist author Frantz Fanon. From its foundation, The Lumpen worked directly for the Black Panther Party's Ministry of Culture, directly under Emory Douglass and June Hilliard, with the latter being both very critical yet supportive of The Lumpen. The Lumpen began their rehearsals at the Black Panther Party HQ in West Oakland.

Contextually The Lumpen was shaped by the influence of James Brown's song Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud that laid the groundwork for songs on the black experience which crossed the racial divide. According to music historian Rickey Vincent:

"The explicit use of race—all that sort of evolved from late '69 into '70. This new era of music was driven by a tantalizing mix of racial community and racial confrontation. The way the times were changing, the way people's expectations were changing, somebody had to push that a little further."

The band recruited background musicians with left-wing politics, and began putting on live shows complete with uniforms and choreography. The band was especially active in the San Francisco Bay Area, performing in community centers, clubs, political rallies, and colleges. As the band's music was intended for education and promotion of the Black Panther Party, the band's members were made to intensely study history and politics.

The Lumpen also put on shows for the Temple of the Son of Man, which was a non-denominational spiritual center run by the Black Panther Party.