The Hip Hop Years: A History of Rap

Rating:
Summary: Very comprehensive
Review: If you happen to be a true hip-hop head that ends up thinking a little too much about your music collection, then this book is for you. Never before has a product been introduced to the market that has captured the full scope of the roots of hip-hop music to its present day crossover appeal. Literally thousands of books have been written about rock music and other genres, but only now can we, the fans of rap, boast of our own definitive historical review. Another great book to check out that isn't quite as serious as "A History of Rap" is "Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists," a light-hearted look at rap's unique presence in the music industry. So do yourself a favor and add this to your shopping cart today, along with the Book of Rrap Lists. Then you'll be able to really know what you're talking about when you try to defend rap music to all your friends.

Rating:
Summary: Serious, straight history
Review: There are several rap/hip-hop history books out there, but very few that just give you the straight facts free from press-kit biographies or fan-magazine drivel. This is one of the few really good ones, covering the whole spectrum from the early 1970s block party DJs to the late 1990s mega-industry. Well-informed and informative.