How to Rap
| How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC | |
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 |
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| Author(s) | Paul Edwards |
| Cover artist | Philip Pascuzzo |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject(s) | Hip hop |
| Genre(s) | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | Chicago Review Press |
| Publication date | Dec 1st, 2009 |
| Pages | 340 pp |
| ISBN | 1556528167 |
How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC is a book on hip-hop music and rapping by Paul Edwards. It is compiled from interviews with 104 notable rappers who provide insights into how they write and perform their lyrics.[1][2][3]
Contents |
[edit] Publication
It was published by Chicago Review Press in December, 2009 with a foreword by Kool G Rap.[2][4][5] Publishers Weekly states that it “goes into everything from why rappers freestyle to the challenges of collaboration in hip-hop”,[6] and Library Journal says, “instruction ranges over selecting topics and form, editing, rhyming techniques, putting words to music, collaborating, vocal techniques, studio tips, and performance”.[2]
[edit] Artists interviewed
The book is compiled from interviews with rappers; the interviews comprise the majority of the book's content.[2] The following artists were interviewed by the author:[3][5]
- 2Mex of The Visionaries
- 40 Cal of Dipset
- Aesop Rock
- Akil The MC of Jurassic 5
- Akir
- AMG
- Andy Cat of Ugly Duckling
- AZ
- Big Daddy Kane
- Big Noyd
- Big Pooh of Little Brother
- Bishop Lamont (Dr Dre’s protégé)
- Bobby Creekwater
- Bootie Brown of The Pharcyde
- B-Real of Cypress Hill
- Brother Ali
- Brother J of X-Clan
- Buckshot of Black Moon and Boot Camp Clik
- Cage
- Cappadonna (Wu-Tang Clan affiliate)
- Cashis (Eminem’s protégé)
- Chuck D of Public Enemy
- C-Murder
- Cormega
- Crooked I
- David Banner
- Del The Funky Homosapien of Hieroglyphics
- Devin The Dude
- DJ Quik
- Dray of Das Efx
- E-40
- El Da Sensei of Artifacts
- Esoteric of 7L & Esoteric
- Evidence of Dilated Peoples
- Fredro Starr of Onyx
- Gift Of Gab of Blackalicious and Quannum
- Glasses Malone
- Gorilla Zoe
- Guerilla Black
- Havoc of Mobb Deep
- Hell Rell of Dipset
- Ill Bill of Non Phixion and La Coka Nostra
- Imani of The Pharcyde
- Immortal Technique
- Joell Ortiz
- Killah Priest (Wu-Tang Clan affiliate)
- Kool G Rap
- K-Os
- Lady Of Rage
- Lateef of Latyrx and Quannum
- Lord Jamar of Brand Nubian
- Masta Ace
- MC Serch of 3rd Bass
- MC Shan
- Mighty Casey
- Mr Lif
- Murs
- Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship
- N.O.R.E. of Capone-N-Noreaga
- Nelly
- O.C. of Diggin' In The Crates
- Omar Cruz
- One Be Lo of Binary Star
- Papoose
- Paris
- Pharoahe Monch of Organized Konfusion
- Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest
- Pigeon John of Quannum and LA Symphony
- Planet Asia of Cali Agents
- Pusha T of Clipse
- Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest
- R.A. The Rugged Man
- Rah Digga
- Rampage of Flipmode Squad
- RNC-64
- RBX
- Remy Ma
- Rock of Heltah Skeltah and Boot Camp Clik
- Royce Da 5’9”
- Schoolly D
- Sean Price of Heltah Skeltah and Boot Camp Clik
- Sheek Louch of D-Block/The Lox
- Shock G of Digital Underground
- Speech of Arrested Development
- Spider Loc
- Stat Quo
- Steele of Smif-n-Wessun and Boot Camp Clik
- Stressmatic of The Federation
- Styles P of D-Block/The Lox
- T3 of Slum Village
- Tajai of Souls Of Mischief and Hieroglyphics
- Tash of Tha Alkaholiks
- Tech N9ne
- Termanology
- Thes One of People Under The Stairs
- Twista
- Vast Aire of Cannibal Ox
- Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks
- Vursatyl of Lifesavas and Quannum
- Wildchild of Lootpack
- will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas
- Wise Intelligent of Poor Righteous Teachers
- Wordsworth
- Yukmouth of The Luniz
- Zumbi of Zion I
It also includes information on other artists, who are commented on by the interviewed artists, including:[3][5]
- Tupac
- Beastie Boys
- Big Pun
- Dr Dre
- Eminem
- Jay-Z
- KRS-One
- Melle Mel
- Nas
- Notorious B.I.G.
- Rakim
- Snoop Dogg
- T.I.
[edit] Reception
The book was positively received by critics and press outlets.[7] Library Journal says it is, “filled with real tools and overflowing with inspiration… a good read even for nonartists interested in learning more about hip-hop creativity, personalities, and history, this offers insights into music and poetry. Highly recommended”,[2] Hip Hop Connection call it “a complete guide to the art and craft of the MC, anyone who's serious about becoming a rapper should read this first… a vital and vibrant expose of a much misunderstood art form”,[7] and Campus Circle give it a “Grade: A+”.[8]
Dana Gioia, poet and former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts wrote, “How To Rap marks a cultural coming-of-age for Hip-Hop… [it] is the first comprehensive poetics of this new literary form. …Edwards has made his bid to become the Aristotle of Hip-Hop poetics”.[7]
It also received positive comments from hip-hop journalists and authors such as Kembrew McLeod, Dan LeRoy, Alex Ogg, Mickey Hess, Russell Potter, and Pancho McFarland,[7] and from artists such as Georgia Anne Muldrow, Egon of Stones Throw Records, Badru Umi, and Speech of Arrested Development.[7]
[edit] Notes
- ^ "Chicago Review Press". Chicago Review Press. 2009-12-01. http://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/catalog/showBook.cfm?ISBN=1556528167. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ a b c d e "Xpress Reviews-First Look at New Books". Libraryjournal.com. 2009-11-20. http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6708280.html. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ a b c Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press.
- ^ "How To Rap: Kool G Rap (Foreword)". Rap Radar. 2009-12-03. http://rapradar.com/2009/12/03/how-to-rap-kool-g-rap-foreword/. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ a b c "How To Rap". Howtorapbook.com. http://www.howtorapbook.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ "The Song Remains the Same". Publishersweekly.com. 2009-09-07. http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/20090907/11057-the-song-remains-the-same-.html. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ a b c d e "Reviews". Howtorapbook.com. http://www.howtorapbook.com/reviews.html. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ^ "How to Rap: The Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC". Campus Circle. http://www.campuscircle.com/review.cfm?r=10013. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
[edit] References
- Edwards, Paul (2009). How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC. Chicago Review Press, ISBN 1556528167.
