Essential Hip-hop book
|
I constantly referred to this book for my essay on b-boy subculture but it was also an entertaining read too.
I recommend this book as essential reading for anyone who has the slight interest in hip-hop and/or youth subculture.
There's more to hip-hop than just 'pimps','hoes' and 'bustin caps' in 'asses'!
|
|
|
The definitive history...
|
|
...of the origins of hip-hop. Chang spent years researching his subject and it shows. From the very beginnings in Kingstown and the Bronx, Chang interviews the major players and also gives an overview of the political landscape of the time and how it shaped the lives of everyone involved. A large portion of the book is dedicated to the first 10 years of hip-hop up into the 80's and quite right as this is the most interesting. He writes of not only the music but of the other components of the movement such as breaking and graffiti artists. The way he covers Public Enemy is fascinating and we uncover a lot of truths about the band, good and bad. I'm not a big fan of rap music but this book deserves your attention. It is comparable of Simon Reynolds 'Rip It Up And Start Again' in that both books are thorough documents of important musical movements and are the last word on both.
|
|
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada