The Concise Guide to Hip-Hop Music

In 1973, the music scene was forever changed by the emergence of hip-hop. Masterfully blending the rhythmic grooves of funk and soul with layered beats and chanted rhymes, artists such as DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash paved the way for an entire new genre and generation of musicians.
In this comprehensive, accessible guide, Paul Edwards breaks down the difference between old school and new school, recaps the biggest influencers of the genre, and sets straight the myths and misconceptions of the artists and their music. Fans old and new alike will all learn something new about the history and development of hip-hop, from its inception up through the current day, in The Concise Guide to Hip-Hop Music.

Author Biography

Paul Edwards is a writer and researcher of hip-hop who has interviewed more than 100 rappers and has done extensive research on rappers’ creative processes, musical theories, and lyrics. He is regarded as a leading expert on hip-hop and rap, and has been referred to as ‘the Aristotle of Hip-Hop poetics’ by internationally acclaimed and award-winning poet Dana Gioia. He holds a master’s degree in postmodernism, literature, and contemporary culture from University of London.