Chuck D. Presents This Day in Rap and Hip Hop History

Name: Chuck D. Presents This Day in Rap and Hip Hop History
Brand: Hachette Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Chuck D
ISBN: 9781478913979

Author: Chuck D, Shepard Fairey

Narrator: Chuck D, D.R.E.S. tha BEATnik, Shepard Fairey

Unabridged: 13 hr 10 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Black Dog & Leventhal

Published: 10/10/2017

Categories: Nonfiction, Music, Rap & Hip Hop, History & Criticism, Composers, Musicians, Performing Arts, Radio

Synopsis

A one-of-a kind survey of rap and hip hop history from 1973 to today by Chuck D, arguably the most influential rapper in the world.

In the more than 40 years since the days of DJ Kool Herc and "Rapper's Delight," hip hop and rap have become a billion-dollar worldwide phenomenon. Yet there is no definitive history of the genre-until now.

Based on Chuck's long-running show on Rapstation.com, this massive compendium details the most iconic moments and influential songs in the genre's recorded history, from Kurtis Blow's "Christmas Rappin'" to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill to Kendrick Lamar's ground-breaking verse on "Control." Also included are key events in hip hop history, from Grandmaster Flash's first scratch through Tupac's holographic appearance at Coachella.

Throughout, Chuck offers his insider's perspective on the chart toppers and show stoppers as he lived it. Illustrating the pages are more than 100 portraits from the talented artists specializing in hip hop.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Damien on November 24, 2017

A Great Guide to Hip-Hop Very informative history of Hip-Hop for an old school fan like me but also an essential chapter in Black culture for those who love Hip-Hop today. While I am not a fan of most of the hip-hop that came out after 2000 I support the art if it still can be used to awaken the soc......more

Goodreads review by Bill on January 10, 2018

What would be a great reference about the timeline of watershed events and albums in rap history doesn't quite work as a linear book. I listened to it on Audible, and at first it's a pretty amazing series of massive events in rap history, and up until about 1996 I was loving it, because it put all m......more

Goodreads review by Scott on March 29, 2018

I don't consider myself much of a rap/hip-hop fan at all, but having listened to some of the genre from time to time, and given how established it is in our current pop culture, I thought this might a good way to learn a bit more about it, since there isn't really isn't a single one-volume history a......more

Goodreads review by Karna on September 06, 2018

My opinion on this book is that it is amazing. If you love hip-hop and rap and would like to learn about how the modern scene came to be, then this is definitely the book for you. The book sheds light on both groundbreaking innovations in rap, but also the minor players in the scene that ended up sh......more

Goodreads review by Carrie on December 07, 2024

This is more of a reference book listing important records in hip hop history rather than a book of long form music criticism. The benefits of this format are that you really get a sense for the progression of the genre and how various artists relate to one another. Listening to it did feel kind of......more

Quotes

"If you want to understand our culture. To learn knowledge itself. Truth about the art form of poetry in motion. The struggle of our community through rhyme and rhythm. This is the book that inspired me long before I found my place in hip-hop. The power of self-expression. Unapologetically. Taught by the teacher himself. Chuck D!!!!"—Kendrick Lamar

"This book is required reading for those who claim to know hip-hop, love hip-hop, and want their information from a true Master and General of the hip-hop culture...Public Enemy #1, Chuck D!"—Ice-T

"Chuck D wasn't put here to play any games. He created the greatest hip-hop album in my opinion to date, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. But the very first minute he sonically appeared to us, I knew rap was changed forever. Power, awareness, strength, and militancy is his stance in a world obsessed with punishing poor people. I knew he would righteously and boldly die so that a little young boy he didn't even know from Queensbridge could live. He attacked wickedness head-on being the rappin' rhino terror that he is. He represented for all of us putting his life on the line and making the right music fighting for hip hop, the youth, truth, and justice. Chuck D made the lane for people like me to walk."—Nas

"Reading this book is like reliving my life all over again. Chuck D is Dope!!!"—LL Cool J

"This Day In Rap and Hip-Hop History, with a forward and amazing illustrations by Shepard Fairy, paints a picture of a restless art form that has been constantly evolving and has come to dominate the cultural landscape."—Esquire

"The immense scope of Chuck D's influence on hip-hop is as unwavering as it is undeniable."—Vibe

"From DJ Kool Herc's early experiments in turntablism to the meteoric rise of Kendrick Lamar and the glorious success of historic hip-hop musical Hamilton, it breaks 40 years of a uniquely American art form down into easily digestible pieces of comprehensive chronology."—GeekDad

"Even the most knowledgeable music lover in your squad could use this book in their collection."—Complex

"Unmatched legend of hip-hop culture, Public Enemy's Chuck D is on a mission to set all records straight regarding the chronological history of rap and hip-hop culture. So, forget about all of those Instagram and Tumblr pages floating around in the name of "today in hip-hop history" that is being run by 18-year old hip-hop heads and allow a living legend who walks, talks, and breathes this culture, tell it."—The Source