In this present age, aspiring performers, musical artists, and singers of all kinds engage with hip hop and hip-hop stylizations. Turn on the radio today and you will hear music from the likes of Bruno Mars, Miley Cyrus, and Billie Eilish—songs you might place into the generalized category of "pop singers." However, many top 40 pop tunes of today derive their musicality, style, and sound from hip hop, often employing hip-hop stylized vocalizations. This is even the case with contemporary musicals like Hamilton and In the Heights. In Hip-Hop and Rap Music: A Performer’s Guide, Melissa Foster equips aspiring performers, musical artists, singers, and hobbyists with the tools and knowledge needed to appreciate the rich art form and perform it with genuine authenticity and fluency. Part 1 provides a rich tapestry of important considerations for performers, including the development of hip hop; a roadmap to different styles; a brief introduction to the political, social, and racial context of hip-hop’s emergence; and an investigation of hip hop’s vast influence on contemporary music. Each performer must find an authentic, holistic way into the stylisms, physicality, parlance, and sound of hip hop that will resonate with both their lived experience and their bearing, and understanding hip hop’s rich background is a vital first step towards this. Part 2 presents a wealth of practical exercises and techniques designed to condition a performer to meet hip hop’s technical demands and facilitate hip-hop performance stylisms. This section delves into vocal techniques to address such building blocks as inhalation, breath management, articulation, movement and grounding, rhythmic control and ownership (including an in-depth look into finding the ‘pocket’ which is crucial to hip hop), pitch, resonance, storytelling, riffing (in both a musical and holistic approach), vocal health, and microphone techniques. Part 2 will also include interviews and tips from various hip-hop artists and industry professionals which will bring to life and reinforce the challenging nature of the form’s requisite skills. Hip-Hop and Rap Music: A Performer’s Guide will equip performers with the tools and knowledge vital to approaching authentic and masterful performances of hip hop.

In this present age, aspiring performers, musical artists, and singers of all kinds engage with hip hop and hip-hop stylizations. Turn on the radio today and you will hear music from the likes of Bruno Mars, Miley Cyrus, and Billie Eilish—songs you might place into the generalized category of "pop singers." However, many top 40 pop tunes of today derive their musicality, style, and sound from hip hop, often employing hip-hop stylized vocalizations. This is even the case with contemporary musicals like Hamilton and In the Heights. In Hip-Hop and Rap Music: A Performer’s Guide, Melissa Foster equips aspiring performers, musical artists, singers, and hobbyists with the tools and knowledge needed to appreciate the rich art form and perform it with genuine authenticity and fluency. Part 1 provides a rich tapestry of important considerations for performers, including the development of hip hop; a roadmap to different styles; a brief introduction to the political, social, and racial context of hip-hop’s emergence; and an investigation of hip hop’s vast influence on contemporary music. Each performer must find an authentic, holistic way into the stylisms, physicality, parlance, and sound of hip hop that will resonate with both their lived experience and their bearing, and understanding hip hop’s rich background is a vital first step towards this. Part 2 presents a wealth of practical exercises and techniques designed to condition a performer to meet hip hop’s technical demands and facilitate hip-hop performance stylisms. This section delves into vocal techniques to address such building blocks as inhalation, breath management, articulation, movement and grounding, rhythmic control and ownership (including an in-depth look into finding the ‘pocket’ which is crucial to hip hop), pitch, resonance, storytelling, riffing (in both a musical and holistic approach), vocal health, and microphone techniques. Part 2 will also include interviews and tips from various hip-hop artists and industry professionals which will bring to life and reinforce the challenging nature of the form’s requisite skills. Hip-Hop and Rap Music: A Performer’s Guide will equip performers with the tools and knowledge vital to approaching authentic and masterful performances of hip hop.

What are two besties willing to risk for something more? The New York Times bestselling author of This Is Love has the answer in this fun, sexy, and emotional romance about friendship, family, and giving love a chance. Something is off in Piper Dalton’s life, and she has a feeling it might just be her. All her siblings are blissfully settled with their forever loves. But while her sisters were dreaming of white weddings, Piper was left heartbroken and commitment phobic by her first love, her best friend’s younger brother. As a woman dominating the male-driven construction industry, Piper has no interest in turning in her hammer for an apron—even if hot and hilarious Harley thinks otherwise. Burly bar owner Harley Dutch has a bum ankle and two preteen nieces to take care of, and having his best friend, tough-as-nails and sexy-as-sin Piper Dalton, come to his rescue is just the remedy he needs. Piper is her snarky self, and she kind of sucks at caregiving, but she’s owned his heart for years, she’s got a way with the girls, and Harley would sure like to have his way with her… As things heat up between Piper and Harley, she warns him not to fall in love with her because she’ll only break his heart. Harley is the right man for that challenge—until he makes the biggest mistake of his life, and they begin to wonder if true love really can conquer all.

She has everything money can buy, but her bodyguard is all she wants-and together they're exactly what each other needs in this heart-racing romance by Melissa Foster, the New York Times bestselling author of Call Her Mine. Actress Remi Divine is sick of bodyguards, sick of stalkers, and sick of feeling like she is always under a microscope. But this movie star isn't helpless by any means. She's got a rebellious streak, and she knows how to use it. First order of business: getting rid of the overbearing bodyguards who are sticking to her like glue. Mason Swift has made protecting others his life, and when Remi ditches his two best men, he takes over and gives it everything he has. Having grown up in the foster-care system, and as a former special operative, he knows all the tricks. Nothing gets by him, especially not gorgeous, sneaky Remi. He thinks she's a diva. She thinks he's arrogant. But when sparks turn to flames and their walls come down, their true hearts are revealed, and their connection is unstoppable. And when tragedy strikes, Remi realizes that being protected isn't the worst thing in the world-but losing Mason just might be.

Two besties and a baby make for an instafamily and a surprising romance in a delightful series by Melissa Foster, the New York Times bestselling author of the Sugar Lake novels. Ben Dalton has always been honest, except where his heart is concerned. He's been in love with his best friend-saucy, smart-mouthed Aurelia Stark-forever. But Ben's a planner, and timing has never been on his side. When he finally decides to make his move, Aurelia beats him to the punch with a move of her own-to a different town. Aurelia loves her new life in the charming town of Harmony Pointe. She has a great apartment and her very own bookstore, and best of all, the sinfully hot, commitment-phobic friend she's crushed on for years is no longer just around the corner. Maybe she'll finally be able to leave her unrequited love behind and move on. But when a baby is left on Ben's front porch-a baby that is presumably his-Aurelia is there for him. Neither one knows the first thing about babies, but how hard can it be? Ben and Aurelia are catapulted into a world of love, laughter, and tracking down the baby mama, and it might even add up to a very happily ever after... just not one either of them expects.

Love only works when your heart is in the right place. Hers could be right next door... Single mom Bridgette Dalton doesn't have time to stop and smell the roses-not even in her own flower shop. But that doesn't mean she hasn't noticed Bodhi Booker. Her ruggedly handsome next-door neighbor would be the perfect candidate for a no-strings fling. Having loved and lost, Bridgette's not ready to hand over her heart...but she could use a distraction. Bodhi has one rule: never leave anyone behind. As a special operative, he knows that each new mission is more dangerous than the last. He's never made a promise of forever to a woman, not even to the beautiful widow who has him tied in knots. And if there were anyone who could tempt him into putting down roots, it would be Bridgette and her adorable son. But as his next deployment nears, they make a startling discovery. Their passion, meant only for the here and now, might already be blossoming into something more...

Bakery owner Willow Dalton's friendship with Zane Walker has always been a bit complicated. Now a scrumptiously hot A-list actor, Zane's always had a reputation as a player. He's arrogant, and he's definitely not boyfriend material. Sure, he did Willow a favor by agreeing to take her virginity before college, but is that reason enough for her to go along with a fake engagement a decade later-even if it comes with a real diamond ring? Zane should have known better. Nothing involving Willow has ever been easy. Still, he knows her better than anyone, and becoming America's hottest new leading man means cleaning up his reputation. An "engagement" to curvy, sass-mouthed Willow is the perfect PR move-provided no one gets hurt. Now Zane and Willow's little white lie has turned into an irresistible recipe for sweet temptation. And soon no one will be able to tell the difference between their fake engagement and the real thing-including them.