How to Rap

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC
Howtorap.jpg
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 1-55652-816-7

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

Publication [edit]

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]

It is published in the UK by Random House on their Virgin Books imprint.[7] This edition is also published by Random House in Australia.[8] It was translated and published in Japanese by P-Vine Books in 2011[9] (part of P-Vine Records) and translated and published in Korean by Hans Media, also in 2011.[10]

  • Cover art of the UK Random House edition of How to Rap.

  • Cover art of the Japanese P-Vine Books edition of How to Rap.

  • Cover art of the Korean Hans Media edition of How to Rap.

Artists interviewed [edit]

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]

It also includes information on other artists, who are commented on by the interviewed artists, including:[3][5]

Reception [edit]

The book was positively received by critics and press outlets.[11] 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”,[11] and Campus Circle give it a “Grade: A+”.[12]

XXL magazine said "over 100 rappers have offered their insight on the artform for aspiring wordsmiths",[13] while Yale University Press's Anthology of Rap referred to How to Rap's "rich array of interviews with old school and new school artists,"[14] and Oxford University Press's How to Fix Copyright recommended How to Rap for a good "general" overview.[15]

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”.[11]

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,[11] and from artists such as Georgia Anne Muldrow, Egon of Stones Throw Records, Badru Umi, and Speech of Arrested Development.[11]

Notes [edit]

  1. ^ "Chicago Review Press". Chicago Review Press. 2009-12-01. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  2. ^ a b c d e "Xpress Reviews-First Look at New Books". Libraryjournal.com. 2009-11-20. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  3. ^ a b c Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press.
  4. ^ "How To Rap: Kool G Rap (Foreword)". Rap Radar. 2009-12-03. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  5. ^ a b c "How To Rap". Howtorapbook.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  6. ^ "The Song Remains the Same". Publishersweekly.com. 2009-09-07. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  7. ^ http://www.randomhouse.co.uk/editions/how-to-rap/9780753540893
  8. ^ http://www.randomhouse.com.au/books/paul-edwards/how-to-rap-9780753540893.aspx
  9. ^ http://p-vine-books.com/how_to_rap/
  10. ^ http://hiphopplaya.com/magazine/article/view.html?category=news&category2=&mode=&page=1&sort=&num=7470&keyfield=&key=
  11. ^ a b c d e "Reviews". Howtorapbook.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  12. ^ "How to Rap: The Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC". Campus Circle. Retrieved 2010-09-10. 
  13. ^ http://www.xxlmag.com/news/latest-headlines/2010/02/clipse-mobb-deep-pharoahe-monch-teach-fans-%E2%80%9Chow-to-rap%E2%80%9D-in-new-book/
  14. ^ Adam Bradley, 2011, The Anthology of Rap, Yale University Press, Introduction, p.xlvii.
  15. ^ William Patry, 2012, How to Fix Copyright, Oxford University Press, p.283.

References [edit]

  • Edwards, Paul (2009). How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC. Chicago Review Press, ISBN 1-55652-816-7.

External links [edit]

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=How_to_Rap&oldid=545809999"