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Books > Arts & Architecture > Music > Contemporary popular music > Rock & pop > Rap & hip-hop
'Kendrick Lamar understands and employs blues, jazz, and soul in
his music, which makes it startling. His work is more than merely
brilliant; it is magic' Toni Morrison 'Lamar is a man living on a
real and metaphorical peak, with one eye trained on the heavens,
the other searching for stories in the valley below' Guardian
__________ Kendrick Lamar is at the top of his game. He has been
described as the poet Laureate of hip-hop, perceptive,
philosophical, unapologetic, fearless, and an innovative
storyteller whose body of work has been compared to James Joyce and
James Baldwin. He is a visionary who will go down as history as one
of the most important artists of all time. But what's so striking
about Kendrick Lamar, aside from his impressive accolades, is how
he's effectively established himself as a formidable opponent of
oppression, a force for change. Through his confessional poetics,
his politically charged anthems, and his radical performances,
Lamar has become a beacon of light for many people in America.
Written by veteran journalist and music critic Marcus J. Moore,
this is the first biography of Kendrick Lamar. It's the definitive
account of his coming-of-age as an artist, his resurrection of
jazz, his profound impact on a racially fraught America, and his
emergence as the bona fide King of Rap. The book traces not only
Lamar's powerful impact on music but also on our current society,
especially under the weight of police brutality, divisive politics,
and social injustice. With exclusive interviews with his family,
friends, and record producers, this book is the must-read for any
fan. The Butterfly Effect is the extraordinary, triumphant story of
a modern lyrical prophet and an American icon who has given hope to
those buckling under the weight of systemic oppression, reminding
everyone that through it all, "we gon' be alright". __________
'Essential reading' Rolling Stone 'By the end of listening to his
first full album, I felt like I knew everything about him. He
brings you into his world with his lyrics in a way that really
paints a clear picture' Eminem 'I love everything about his music.
I can literally listen to his music and become a kid growing up
with all the struggles in the inner city, but at the same time
[learn] all the lessons it taught that we use as men today.' Lebron
James 'For a gentle dude, he throws a righteous punch; I wouldn't
get in the way of it. No single artist will ever be the antidote to
a generation's malaise, but just identifying some of the problems
really helps' Bono 'Kendrick Lamar is a master of storytelling' New
York
This violent and introspective memoir reveals not only 50 Cent's
story but also the story of a generation of youth faced with hard
choices and very few options. It is a tale of sacrifice,
transformation, and redemption, but also one of hope,
determination, and the power of self. Told in 50's unique voice,
the narrative drips with the raw insight, street wisdom, and his
struggle to survive at all costs -- and behold the riches of the
American Dream.
This is the definitive biography of rap supergroup, Wu-Tang Clan
(WTC). Widely regarded as one of the most influential groups in
modern music--hip hop or otherwise--WTC has released seven albums
[including four gold and platinum studio albums, as well as the
genre-defining Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)] and has launched
the careers of famous rappers like RZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard,
Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and more. Beyond the musicians in the
group itself, WTC has also collaborated with many of the biggest
names in the game-from Busta Rhymes and Redman to Nas and Kanye
West), and one is hard pressed to find a group who's had a bigger
impact on the evolution of the hip hop genre. S.H. Fernando, Jr. is
a journalist who has interviewed WTC several times over the past
several decades for publications like Rolling Stone, Vibe, and The
Source. Over the years, he has "built up a formidable
archive--including over 100 pages of unpublished transcribed
interviews, videos of the group in action in the studio, and
several notepads of accumulated memories and observations." The
result is a startling portrait of innovation, collaboration, and
adversity, giving us unparalleled access to the highs and lows of
the WTC's illustrious career so far. And this book doesn't shy away
from controversy--along with stories of the group's musical
success, we're also privy to stories from their childhoods in the
crime-and-cocaine infested hallways of Brooklyn and Staten Island
housing projects, stints in Rikers for gun possession and attempted
murderer, and million-dollar contracts that led to recklessness and
drug overdoses (including Ol' Dirty Bastard's untimely death). Even
more than just a history of a single group, this book tells the
story of a musical and cultural shift that encapsulates and then
expands beyond NYC in the 20th and 21st centuries. Though there
have been biographies written about the band, both from members
(like RZA) and collaborators (like Cyrus Bozorgmehr), most of the
material that's been published so far has either focused on a
single member of the group's story, or a narrow timespan of their
work. This book will not only feature interviews with all living
WTC members and a comprehensive look at their discography, it also
includes never-before-revealed insight into their childhoods and
the neighborhoods that shaped them growing up. It's unique in its
breadth, scope, and access--a must-have for fans of WTC and music
bios more generally.
Award-winning actor, rapper, and producer Ice-T unveils a
compelling memoir of his early life robbing jewelry stores until he
found fame and fortune—while a handful of bad choices sent his
former crime partner down an incredibly different path. Ice-T rose
to fame in the late 1980s, earning acclaim for his music before
going on to enthrall television audiences as Odafin “Finâ€
Tutuola in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. But it
could have gone much differently. In this “poignant and
powerful†(Library Journal, starred review) memoir, Ice-T and
Spike, his former crime partner—collaborating with New York
Times bestselling author Douglas Century—relate the
shocking stories of their shared pasts, and how just a handful of
decisions led to their incredibly different lives. Both grew up in
violent, gang-controlled Los Angeles neighborhoods and worked
together to orchestrate a series of jewelry heists. But while Ice-T
was discovered rapping in a club and got his first record deal,
Spike was caught for a jewelry robbery and did three years in
prison. As his music career began to take off, Ice made the
decision to abandon the criminal life; Spike continued to plan
increasingly ingenious and risky jewel heists. And in 1992, after
one of Spike’s robberies ended tragically, he was sentenced to
thirty-five years to life. While he sat behind bars, he watched his
former partner rise to fame in music, movies, and television.
“Propulsive†(Publishers Weekly, starred review), timely, and
thoughtful, two men with two very different lives reveal how their
paths might have very well been reversed if they made different
choices. All it took was a split decision.
Born To Kwaito considers the meaning of kwaito music now. ‘Now’ not only as in ‘after 1994’ or the Truth Commission but as a place in the psyche of black people in post-apartheid South Africa.
This collection of essays tackles the changing meaning of the genre after its decline and its ever-contested relevance. Through rigorous historical analysis as well as threads of narrative journalism Born To Kwaito interrogates issues of artistic autonomy, the politics of language in the music, and whether the music is part of a strand within the larger feminist movement in South Africa. Candid and insightful interviews from the genre’s foremost innovators and torchbearers, such as Mandla Spikiri, Arthur Mafokate, Robbie Malinga and Lance Stehr, provide unique historical context to kwaito music’s greatest highs, most captivating hits and most devastating lows. Born To Kwaito offers up a history of the genre from below by having conversations not only with musicians but with fans, engineers, photographers and filmmakers who bore witness to a revolution.
Living in a place between criticism and biography, Born To Kwaito merges academic theories and rigorous journalism to offer a new understanding into how the genre influenced other art forms such as fashion, TV and film. The book also reflects on how some of the music’s best hits have found new life through the mouths of local hip-hop’s current kingmakers and opened kwaito up to a new generation.
The book does not pretend to be an exhaustive history of the genre but rather a present-active analysis of that history as it settles and finds its meaning.
Put your headphones on, close your eyes. Embrace the possibility of
the life-changing power of music. And perhaps one of these songs
will change your life too. Music can inspire our greatest
creations, salve our deepest wounds, make us fall in - or out of -
love. It can also be a window into another's soul. Based on the
popular live storytelling series, OneTrackMinds is a collection of
twenty-five compelling answers to the question, 'What was the song
that changed your life?' Featuring pieces from a stellar cast of
contributors including Peter Tatchell, Inua Ellams, Cash Carraway,
Rhik Samadder, Ingrid Oliver and Joe Dunthorne, alongside some of
the UK's most exciting new voices, the book compiles many of the
standout stories from the live show so far. Just as rich and varied
are the songs themselves, by artists ranging from Nina Simone and
Joni Mitchell to Aphex Twin and the Replacements via Tupac, Prince
and the Spice Girls. The result is an entertaining, enlightening
musical guide to the best of what makes us human.
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Lucky
(Hardcover)
Professor Green
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It was never easy for Professor Green. Born into a tough Hackney
estate and raised by his grandmother, the rapper was always
learning the hard way - whether at school, on the streets of east
London or on stage during impromptu freestyle battles. Indeed, life
and music have always been intertwined for the young rapper, but it
wasn't until he was 24 that the two were brought into focus by the
suicide of his father - and his emotions, ever since, have been
reflected in the raw and often passionate lines of his lyrics. In
this wonderful autobiography, Professor Green - a.k.a. Stephen
Manderson - reflects on his life so far and how his upbringing and
encounters - both good and bad - shaped the person and musician he
is today. Passionate, raw and totally open, Lucky is the story of a
boy's journey, from life close to the streets, all the while
working towards becoming a successful musician, achieving that
dream and eventually gaining that success, only to realise it
wouldn't quite solve all of his problems...Lucky is accompanied by
the exclusive Mix Tape app, which takes you closer to Professor
Green and his story.With exclusive digital content for readers to
enjoy, this is a rare insight into one of the most exciting and
controversial musicians working in music today.
Embracing your Christian identity does not make you "soft."
Embracing your Black identity does not make you less Christian.
Throughout American history, Black people were not given the
freedom to acknowledge their suffering. A. D. Thomason believes
that the Holy Spirit brings freedom and liberation as we're able to
name our pain, recognize its roots in history and society, and seek
healing. While many saw a confident, six-foot-five Black man, A. D.
"Lumkile" Thomason lived most of his life in fear and anguish,
deeply wounded by encounters with violence, abandonment, and family
tragedy. Hiding behind a tough exterior, Adam earned his "Black
card" but felt joyless inside. Even traveling around the globe to
play professional basketball could not resolve his despair. But in
the art of Jay-Z, A. D. discovered stirring honesty that gave voice
to his own expressions of longing. And in the gospel of Jesus, he
experienced the healing and salvation that had long evaded him. Now
through what he calls "kingdom therapy," he's figuring out how to
redefine the Jay-Z and Jesus that make up his blackness. A. D. uses
his artistry as a poet and storyteller to share how he confessed
his internalized pain and embraced the liberating joy of Christ. He
writes for millennials, emerging adults, and anyone else who's
ready to acknowledge the reality of racial trauma and our need to
confront it. A. D.'s powerful story gives you permission to be
Black, to be Christian, and to be the person God has made you to
be.
'I was raised with an artist's mentality; my first 25 years were
spent as somebody who wanted to live among graphics and artwork and
illustration, and then for the next 30 years it was all music.
Recently, I've reverted into the arts, combining all these elements
in my work, still trying to change the world. This is truly what I
want to do. My deepest thanks to Genesis for giving me a place to
be able to display all of this through my artwork.' - Chuck D In
his first fine art book, Livin' Loud, Public Enemy founder, hip-hop
pioneer and revolutionary activist, Chuck D, presents a body of
artworks which continue to address the social and politically
conscious issues of his lyrics. In Livin' Loud, Chuck D's artworks
reveal his visual dexterity as he explores a diverse range of
subjects paying homage to his musical influences and peers from
James Brown and Woody Guthrie to Def Jam labelmates Run-DMC and
Beastie Boys; a host of the most influential hip-hop artists from
Ice Cube to Run the Jewels; his twin passions of baseball and
basketball; creating a collection of landscapes on tour with
Prophets of Rage, and a range of sociopolitical pieces that explore
the issues continuing to shape our culture. Chuck D has been
creating musical and cultural observations that challenge public
opinion since 1985 and his visual compositions continue to
interpret and question the world around us. Chuck D's written
commentary traces his musical and artistic trajectory from his
early roots and the central figures that critically shaped him and
his voice, the formation of Public Enemy through to their Rock 'n'
Roll Hall of Fame induction, his time with Prophets of Rage through
to current day world affairs. With a foreword by Rage Against the
Machine's Tom Morello, Chuck D's art debut Livin' Loud is a visual
experience of over 250 artworks, each piece reflective of the man
behind the music.
"Before That's the Joint I spent countless hours making
photo-copies of essays and articles on hip hop for my students.
When That's the Joint dropped it changed everything. It took hip
hop studies to the next logical level and, hopefully, with the
second edition Forman and Neal will take hip hop studies to an even
higher level. That's the Joint , indeed, it is the sure shot " --
Reiland Rabaka, Department of Ethnic Studies, University of
Colorado, Boulder, USA "That's the Joint stands as the seminal Hip
Hop studies volume. It is comprehensive in scope, incorporating
works from the leading scholars, journalists and practitioners in
the genre. Moreover, it treats the subject in a rigorous academic
manner, while making the readings accessible to a broader
audience." -- Melina Abdullah, California State University, Los
Angeles, USA That's the Joint : The Hip-Hop Studies Reader brings
together the best-known and most influential writings on rap and
hip-hop from its beginnings to today. Spanning more than 30 years
of scholarship, criticism, and journalism, this unprecedented
anthology showcases the evolution and continuing influence of one
of the most creative and contested elements of global popular
culture since its advent in the late 1970s. Think of it as "Hip-Hop
101." This newly expanded and revised second edition of That's the
Joint brings together the most important and up-to-date hip-hop
scholarship in one comprehensive volume. Presented thematically,
the selections address the history of hip-hop, identity politics of
the "hip-hop nation," debates of "street authenticity," gender,
revolutionary politics, aesthetics, technologies of production,
hip-hop as a cultural industry, and much more. The new edition
includes expanded coverage of gender and racial diversity in
hip-hop, and takes a look at hip-hop's role in politics, including
the 2008 presidential election of Barack Obama. The new edition
also includes expanded pedagogical fe
From the platinum selling recording artist and New York Times
bestselling author of The Autobiography of Gucci Mane comes THE
GUCCI MANE GUIDE TO GREATNESS - an unprecedented look at Gucci
Mane's secrets to success, health, wealth and self-improvement.
From Gucci: 'I live by the principles in this book. I wanted to
write this book to give you a tool set. This book should touch
people who are going through something. It's not going to be easy.
But study these words, and put them into action. I want this book
to keep you motivated. I want you to keep coming back to it for
guidance and inspiration. You can put it on your shelf and keep
going to TheGucci Mane Guide to Greatness. This book is a
challenge. Don't underestimate yourself. Don't think that what
you're saying is not important. Don't think you can't achieve the
impossible. Everyone needs some game, so here it is. TheGucci Mane
Guide to Greatness is for the world. Enjoy.' In this inspiring
follow-up to his iconic memoir, Gucci Mane gifts us with his
playbook for living your best life. Packed with stunning
photographs, The Gucci Mane Guide to Greatness distils the legend's
timeless wisdom into a one-of-a-kind motivational guidebook. Gucci
Mane emerged transformed after a turbulent life of violence, crime
and addiction to become a dazzling embodiment of the power of
positivity, focus and hard work. Using examples from his life of
unparalleled success, Gucci Mane looks inwards and upwards to offer
his blueprint for greatness. A must-read for anyone with big
ambitions and bigger dreams.
Whether it's diamond-encrusted grills, oversized "truck" style
chains, bust-down Rolex and Patek Philippe watches or a Tiffany
necklace, jewelry is a cornerstone of hip-hop culture. Glittering,
blinged-out jewels are the shining statement of a collective
identity: unapologetic, charismatic, and street savvy. Spanning the
history of hip-hop jewelry, from the 1980s to today, Ice Cold: A
Hip-Hop Jewelry History is a stunning compilation of storytelling
and visuals. Hundreds of extraordinary images of every major
hip-hop artist on record celebrate how "Ice" has become a
proclamation of identity and self-expression. Starting with
Run-DMC's gold Adidas pendants and Eric B. & Rakim's
ostentatious dookie rope chains and Mercedes medallions, the
jewelry then transforms from street style into a booming design
culture. The hip-hop tradition of "show up and show out" reaches
new heights with artists like Pharrell Williams, Jay-Z, Gucci Mane,
and Cardi B, whose over-the-top pieces integrate unique pop culture
references, unconventional materials, and enduring collaborations
with artists like Takashi Murakami. Author Vikki Tobak reveals - in
great detail - the work of pioneering jewelers such as Tito Caicedo
of Manny's, Eddie Plein, and Jacob the Jeweler as well as newer
artisans such as Avianne & Co., Ben Baller/IF & Co., Greg
Yuna, Johnny Dang, Eliantte, and many more. Ice Cold is a treasure
trove of dazzling, inspirational style, featuring the work of
leading photographers, including Wolfgang Tillmans, Janette
Beckman, Jamel Shabazz, Timothy White, Gillian Laub, David
LaChapelle, Danny Clinch, Chris Buck, Mike Miller, Phil Knott,
Raven B. Varona, Al Pereira, Albert Watson and many more. A
foreword by hip-hop superstar Slick Rick and essays by A$AP Ferg,
LL COOL J, Kevin "Coach K' Lee and Pierre "P" Thomas of Quality
Control Music take us on personal journeys into their jewelry
universe. Ice Cold goes beyond the ostentatious bling to reveal a
transformative story that is loud and proud.
Experience the K-Pop phenomenon of BTS in this best-selling
Ultimate Fan Book! BTS are much more than just a group of seven
talented individuals, they are a band acclaimed for their
record-smashing, barrier-breaking, trend-setting dance-pop and
hip-hop tunes and personal philosophies. Featuring brand new
content and sensational new photos, BTS - The Ultimate Fan Book
includes everything you need to know about Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM,
Jimin, V and Jungkook, as well as the BTS ARMY. A celebration of
the K-Pop phenomenon, exploring in stunning technicolour detail the
group's origins, members and super rise to success, this Ultimate
Fan Book is beautifully accompanied by photographs showcasing the
band's kaleidoscope of personalities and passions that have made
them famous. BTS are more than just a boy band - they are a way of
life.
'It's a hip-hop bible' Ghostface Killah, Wutang Clan In Hip Hop
Raised Me. (R) , DJ Semtex examines the crucial role of hip-hop in
society today, and reflects on the huge influence it has had on his
own life, and the lives of many others, filling in the gaps of
education that school left behind, providing inspiration and
purpose to generation after generation of disaffected youths.
Taking a thematic approach and featuring seminal interviews he has
conducted with key hip-hop artists, Semtex traces the
characteristics and influence of hip-hop from its origins in the
early 1970s with DJ Kool Herc's Block parties in the South Bronx,
through its breakthrough to the mainstream and advent of gangsta
rap in the late 1980s, with artists such as Run DMC, Public Enemy
and Ice T, to the impact of contemporary artists and the global
industry that is hip-hop today. Hip-hop artists have gone from
hustlers to successful entrepreneurs and businessmen. Hip-hop has
come of age.
Grime music has been central to British youth culture since the
beginning of the 21st century. Performed by MCs and DJs, it is an
Afrodiasporic form that developed on street corners, on pirate
radio and at raves. Level Up: Live Performance and Creative Process
in Grime Music offers the first long-form ethnographic study of
grime practice; it questions how and why artists do what they do;
and it asks what this can tell us about creative process and
improvisation more widely. Based on research conducted from 2015 to
2020 in London's grime scene-facilitated by the author's
long-standing role as a DJ and broadcaster-this book explores the
form's emergence before taking a magnifying glass to the
contemporary scene and its performance protocol, exploring the
practice of key artists and their crews living and working in the
city. The resultant model of creative interaction provides a
comprehensive mapping of collective social learning in London's
informal cityscape, offering new ways to conceptualise
improvisatory practice within ensembles.
This book celebrates Madvillainy as a representation of two genius
musical minds melding to form one revered supervillain. A product
of circumstance, the album came together soon after MF DOOM's
resurgence and Madlib's reluctant return from avant-garde jazz to
hip-hop. Written from the alternating perspectives of three fake
music journalist superheroes-featuring interviews with Wildchild,
M.E.D., Walasia, Daedalus, Stones Throw execs, and many other real
individuals involved with the album's creation-this book blends
fiction and non-fiction to celebrate Madvillainy not just as an
album, but as a folkloric artifact. It is one specific retelling of
a story which, like Madvillain's music, continues to spawn infinite
legends.
DJ Screw, a.k.a. Robert Earl Davis Jr., changed rap and hip-hop
forever. In the 1990s, in a spare room of his Houston home, he
developed a revolutionary mixing technique known as chopped and
screwed. Spinning two copies of a record, Screw would "chop" in new
rhythms, bring in local rappers to freestyle over the tracks, and
slow the recording down on tape. Soon Houstonians were lining up to
buy his cassettes-he could sell thousands in a single day. Fans
drove around town blasting his music, a sound that came to define
the city's burgeoning and innovative rap culture. June 27 has
become an unofficial city holiday, inspired by a legendary mix
Screw made on that date. Lance Scott Walker has interviewed nearly
everyone who knew Screw, from childhood friends to collaborators to
aficionados who evangelized Screw's tapes-millions of which made
their way around the globe-as well as the New York rap moguls who
honored him. Walker brings these voices together with captivating
details of Screw's craft and his world. More than the story of one
man, DJ Screw is a history of the Houston scene as it came of age,
full of vibrant moments and characters. But none can top Screw
himself, a pioneer whose mystique has only grown in the two decades
since his death.
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