Chuck D Launching Hip Hop History Book

    Public Enemy founder Chuck D rarely needs an introduction — the politically-minded MC has been an integral part of Hip Hop culture since emerging in the ’80s. On October 10, fans will be able to dive into the mind of the Fear Of A Black Planet architect and get a first-hand account of his experience in the culture thanks to his new book, Chuck D Presents This Day In Rap And Hip-Hop History.

    Described as “one of the most comprehensive, chronological histories of rap and hip-hop ever written,” the book is assembled by Chuck and includes pivotal moments from 1973 to the present, as well as portraits of people who have shaped the sound and the culture for over 40 years.

    The anthology opens with a house party with DJ Kool Herc on August 11, 1973 and follows the art form through more than four decades, examining key players and historical moments.

    Kendrick Lamar voiced his thoughts on the book in a press release. “If you want to understand our culture. To learn knowledge itself. Truth about the art form of poetry in motion. The struggle of our community through rhyme and rhythm. This is the book that inspired me long before I found my place in hip-hop,” he said. “The power of self-expression. Unapologetically. Taught by the teacher himself. Chuck D!!!”

    LL Cool J added, “Reading this book is like reliving my life all over again.”

    The book also includes over 100 portraits of the most influential figures in Hip Hop created by artists Shepard Fairey (who wrote the book’s foreword), ASKEM, Amy Cinnamon, Andre LeRoy Davis, Holtom, Glen E. Friedman, A.J. Katz, Timothy McAuliffe (Gold Van), Scared of Monsters, Rinat Shingareev and Marco Ventura.

    Hardcopies of Chuck D Presents Today In Rap And Hip-History start at $19.49.

    Pre-order is available here.

    14 thoughts on “Chuck D Launching Hip Hop History Book

    1. Hella dope, looking forward to this, if yall haven’t also pick up jeff changes, “cant stop wont stop”…

        1. That’s all and well but for the book to be an inspiration for him well before he found his place in hip hop he would have had to have a copy quite some time ago.

          1. I don’t think he means the book itself, but rather the material within the book is also what inspired him long ago.

    2. This is great! Getting Hip Hop history from one of its contributors. I suggest watching the series Hip Hop evolution with this book.

    3. i wonder how long he’ll spend pushing the lie that hip hop was always welcoming to all minority groups

    4. Wasn’t big into PE because I didn’t feel it was made for me (ie white people) but I always respected their message. Plus their logo was the dopest. Def gonna cop this.

    5. I think of Chuck D highly. Sure, he had to make choices naming artists and albums. But a hiphop history (from the start until now) that contains Iggy Azalea, yet not one word about Dilated Peoples, Non phixion, people under the stairs, Aesop Rock or Immortal Technique, just to name a few. Nah. Big let down.

    6. I had a chance to check out the book last week at a local book store. Skimmed through it briefly to see significant dates throughout the years. However, I was a little disappointed that he didn’t include one of the early tragedies in hip-hop and that was the death of BDP’s Scott La Rock who died after being shot to death on August 27, 1987. It was a day that I along with many true hip-hop heads will never forget. While the deaths of Biggie and Tupac were mentioned, it just kinda perturbed me that he omitted that date and incident because in reality, Scott was one of the first casualties in hip-hop and it should have been acknowledged. Hopefully this was just a plain oversight.

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