The Anthology of Rap

This landmark work chronicles an earth-shattering movement with deep roots. -The New York Times Book Review As ambitious and intelligent as anyone might want, and more enjoyable than anyone might think. . . . If you want to hear how the latter part of the twentieth century sounded, you can't do better than this book. -Kevin Young, Bookforum The authors have built a poignant collection of rhythm and rhyme. . . . For hard-core hip-hop heads, this book confirms what we have always known: that some of the most innovative writing hails from the imagination of the rapper. -Idris Goodwin, The Boston Globe Intelligent and authentic . . . written for both the hip-hop head and the uninitiated. -James Johnson, Philadelphia Inquirer For the reader who's really interested in modern poetics a profitable week or three could be spent sitting with The Anthology of Rap. -Will Self, The Times . . . an important contribution to this highly contested lyrical culture. -David Barnes, Times Literary Supplement The editors have been bold and often brilliant. . . . The Anthology of Rap is as ambitious and intelligent as anyone might want, and more enjoyable than anyone might think. . . . If you want to hear how the latter part of the twentieth century sounded, you can't do better than this book. -Kevin Young, Bookforum A chronology of rap that highlights significant figures in its short history and offers a window into how rappers harmonize the world through a distinct form of self-expression. -Library Journal Bradley and Dubois succeed in lucidly explaining how societal shifts have been reflected in rap lyrics. . . . This book is a fitting tribute to a genre not far short of its fortieth anniversary and which was once dismissed as a passing fad. -Geoff St Louis, Time Out . . . groundbreaking . . . it makes the history, development and variety of the genre plain to see in vivid detail. -Bernadine Evaristo, TheIndependent An extraordinary collection of lyrics showcasing rap's poetic depth and diversity. -Bookseller's Buyer's Guide A perfect primer for newcomers. -The Independent (Arts & Books) Honorable mention in the Compilations/Anthologies category of the 2010 New England Book Festival, given by the JM Northern Media family of festivals An essential contribution to our living literary tradition . . . This groundbreaking anthology masterfully assembles part of a new vanguard of American poetry. -from the Foreword by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. What you hold in your hands is more than a book. This is a culture. This is hip-hop . . . This book offers a view of rap in full, from the root to the fruit. -from the Afterword by Common Every great literature deserves a great anthology. Rap finally has its own. -from the Afterword by Chuck D From the Sing Song cadence of the slave preachers to the emotional bravery of Tupac Shakur to the clarity of Queen Latifah . . . for all the hearts and heads and voices who have still to be heard: We Now Have an Encyclopedia. Good for us. Much needed. Much needed. -Nikki Giovanni The Anthology of Rap is an instant classic. It brings together the lyric poetry of some of the greatest artists of our time. Hip Hop is here to stay and rap lives forever-on the stage and now on the page! -Cornel West