Which book, or books, on the genesis of hip-hop are worth checking out? I'm looking for some reading material.

RipHer2Shreds said:

why read... just ask me

Ego Trip's Book Of Rap Lists is just that, full of lists, not a treatise on hip-hop. But it's informative and pretty funny!!!

Sorry , but i can't qualify hip-hop as serious music
Just some rhytmic talking on a (stolen) beat with (stolen) samples
Hell ,ANYBODY with a sense of rhythm can do that


(not denying i sometimes enjoy it tho)
[Edited 1/18/05 11:33am]

I remember there was a book by David Toop called Rap Attack which was supposed to be quite good, although I never read it. Think there might even have been 2 volumes - don't know if it's been updated much. Should cover the older stuff though...

Dewrede said:

So don't contribute to the thread - it's really that simple. I didn't ask for your opinion on hip-hop; I asked for book recommendatioins.

I respond when i want , how i want ;
I wasn't insulting was i !?

deebee said:

Thanks for this. I'll see what I can find about this book.

TheRealFiness said:

Cuz I want something I can read in bed at my leisure. Otherwise, you've got all the answers.

Hager, Steven. Hip Hop: The Illustrated History of Break Dancing, Rap Music, and Graffiti. New York: St. Marten's Press, 1984.

UptownDeb said:

"The best book I've ever read - and I can't read!" -Chris Rock