Encyclopedia of Rap and Hip-hop Culture

This is a complete guide to the history, development, people, events, and Ideas of Hip-Hop music and culture. Hip-Hop music is comprised of several art forms: MC-ing or rapping; B-boying or breakdancing; deejaying; and graffiti art. This encyclopedia examines all four of these main elements of hip-hop culture, providing students, scholars, and music fans with a complete history of this thirty-year old music genre. Tracing its early roots from black DJs talking over music in the 1960s, via the B-boy dancers in the 1970s, and the scratching and sampling techniques of the 80s, to the founding of Def Jam productions, the current East Cost-West Coast rivalry, and superstars such as Eminem and 50 cent, hip-hop fans will find this an indispensable resource. The encyclopedia includes approximately 80 photographs, discographies after each entry, and a "for further listening" list at the end of the volume. Also included is the Hip Hop Declaration of Peace. Covering a popular topic among younger readers, this title looks not only at hop-hop artists, but at the culture in general, and includes approximately 80 photographs.