Things That You Can Learn From Rappers is about how rappers influence hip-hop culture through their lyrics and lives. The book is also about hip-hop culture itself. While a lot of rappers get characterized by their hedonism, through lyrical analysis and a little bit of history, this book shows how rappers often promote the positive aspects of hip-hop culture. The positive aspects that the book out lines are pride, sense of community, self definition, motivation, the obsession with realness, an understanding of women (which is rarely positive), friends, family, the game that life is, the importance of culture and having fun. The book concludes with a few things that hip-hop teaches us that aren't so healthy. The book differs from a lot of other books about hip-hop because it doesn't try to be overly academic. In the language and themes, it keeps the hip-hop ethos alive. It is an academic work which means it does get philosophical at times but it never loses the easy to feel tone of a rap song. This would be a good book for people from outside of the culture because it explains quite a few things about hip-hop and rap music that some people might find senseless or difficult to explain. It would also be a good read for old-school hip-hop fans that miss some of the things that the culture used to provide before rap got so commercial. Included, after most chapters, are playlists that drive home the points that each chapter was making. It would be a great way for people to get introduced to more cultural rap music. Classes are springing up that teach an understanding of hip-hop and this is great learning tool for those that want to kw what this hip-hop thing is all about and why rappers and their fans behave and think the way they do.
Product Identifiers
Publisher
Createspace
ISBN-10
1481028065
ISBN-13
9781481028066
eBay Product ID (ePID)
189612242
Additional Product Features
Content Note
Black & White Illustrations
Author Biography
Russell Hayes was born in Kansas City, Kansas in 1980. He was turned on to rap music by his older brother at a young age. His love for Hip-Hop as a culture began at the University of Kansas where the campus radio station would introduce him to the culture and its values outside of the hedonism that was promoted on most media outlets. After completing his degree in economics, he returned to KU to study philosophy to better grasp the ways of the world. This is his first book. He currently resides in Kansas City and maintains his blog: cogitohayes.blogspot.com.
Format
Paperback / Softback
Language
English
Author(s)
Russell Hayes
Date of Publication
11/06/2013
Format Details
Trade Paperback (US)
Subject
Music & Dance
Imprint
Createspace
Country of Publication
United States
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