Here’s your chance to win a signed copy of Ben Westhoff’s “Original Gangstas: The Untold Story of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, and the Birth of West Coast Rap.”
To enter to win, comment below explaining why YOU should be the lucky winner of this book!
We will select TWO lucky winners and contact them via email so make sure you are using the correct email when leaving the comment. Readers, help us out, see someone you think should win? Click the flame “fire” icon next to their comment to vote for them!
Original Gangstas is the product of five years of reporting and more than 100 interviews — rappers, producers, girlfriends, music industry experts, gang members — not to mention countless hours digging through court files and examining microfiche. The book has received great reviews, including from Kirkus (“An elaborately detailed, darkly surprising, definitive history of the L.A. gangsta rap era,” starred review), NY Daily News (“stunning and entertaining”), Booklist(“especially relevant amid the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement”) best-selling author Shea Serrano (“airtight and unflinching”), and even Chuck D from Public Enemy (“shows how the rap West was won”).
It’s full of never-told revelations, about Dr. Dre’s abusive past, Tupac and Biggie’s friendship-turned-deadly-rivalry, Ice Cube’s relationship with the Nation of Islam, and the last weeks of Eazy-E’s life, when he contracted AIDS and married his girlfriend on his deathbed, willing her his $30 million record label.
This book touches on HIP HOP. Not the so called music coming out today… Looks like a dope read.
I feel I should win because I enjoy being a student of hip hop. Hip hop is part of me everyday and I try to incorporate it as much as I can in my life.
I should win because I’ve loved Hip Hop for most of my life, I’ve been following Hip Hop DX for the last ten years (even though I don’t comment) and I also collect Hip Hop books & magazines and this would be an amazing addition. I’d be beyond grateful!
This book can help me change Lil niggas’s perceptions about gangsterism as it is like every child’s dream in my hood to turn into gangstaz and them Lil niggas don’t have clue what is it all about so they need learn that how did it end up also they mustn’t loose hope there is some positivity that can come out of it I really need this book guys help me get it you don’t know how many lives it can change or rather save! Gz up all the way
I NEED this book! I’m an influencer and I would love to read/share those things contained in this book …. and help to influence people to buy it as well!
I maybe only 32 but growing up this is all I listened to is now old school rappers and today I still pretty much prefer any rap back then. Tupac is one of my favorites. I still like to belive he’s still alive. I know this is a stretch but I would love to learn about west coast rap
Why i should win… Because i am Westside 4 life!!!! W!
I should win because I have been a huge NWA fan since the sixth grade, I grew up on everyone in the NWA family tree, Snoop, Em, you name it. I had been waiting for the straight Outta Compton movie to release since I was 12 years old!
I should get that book for real, im a rapper from the north west africa, for me that book will be so interesting for me I hope that I can get a copy this is my only chance.
I should win because an artist, I understand than people make up my generation how important it to be student of game. This book will be a good to find out untold facts about lives of Eazy, Pac, Dre, etc, amidst the speculation and would-be naysayers spreading rumors nowadays. I need this book
I really want this book. I am a 17 year old living in Australia and i’m studying hip hop like crazy. I absolutely love hip hop, I can’t go a day without having some tunes in my ears. Having this book would give me some more knowledge on my favourite artists. I would tell all my mates about the book and get them to give it a read.
Man man man… Hip hop is LIFE. I have to start by giving thanks to you all at HipHopDX for continuing to be my go-to for any news relating to our culture. You are appreciated… I’m Doc (Producer & Engineer). Born in the midwest [Cleveland, Oh to be exact] in the late ’80s. I was lucky enough to hit this earth in time to hear and experience some of the best artists our culture has ever seen. Beasts like: Tribe, EPMD, the LOX, Biggie, Pac, Nas, Scarface, DMX, Bone Thugs, Black Sheep, etc… I remember my first encounter with west coast rap like it was yesterday. Sitting at my grandma’s house in front of the tube watching YO! MTv Raps. Seeing Cube roll down the Cali streets in that money green drop! Hitting switches up and down the block!! Images of brothas in all blue/red!!! CRAAAaaazzzzyy! All of that stuff was foreign to me. I was a kid in northeast Ohio where they only have two seasons: Summer and Winter. I had no clue what any of that ish was? Tall ass trees with only 8 furry Leaves? Wtf is that bro?? 🙂
Something about the beats, the lifestyle, the lyrics and the images were so intoxicating to me. I couldn’t explain it if I tried. I just became infatuated with the left coast, mainly Cube, Dre, Snoop & Pac.
[all do respect to the east because they started me on this hip hop ish]
Dre with his impeccable ear for music.
Cube with his strong lyrics and ability to back down from no man nor machine.
Snoop with his ability to be himself any and everywhere AND be loved for that very reason.
& 2Pac with his all-around killer instinct \ Quadruple threat <— everything that man touched improved tenfold. [RiH]
Those four guys had a MAJOR impact on not only the industry, but my personal childhood. They, unknowingly guided me through some of the craziest times in my life.
I've listened to interviews, seen movies, watched documentaries and heard stories. Just when I think I know how everything transpired, I'm left with my jaw to the floor, in awe, because another piece to my Hip Hop puzzle pops up. <— I could never get tired of that.
But all-in-all, I feel like I deserve one of these copies simply because it won't just sit on my shelf in-between Pimp C's "Trill Life Story" & Jay Z's "Decoded," it will be read, studied and regurgitated for the young ones to eat up [eww]. But seriously, I would really like to add this to my collection and keep our culture alive and well. As we all know, to know where you're going, you mut first know where you come from, and I come from HipHop.
I appreciate your service and your time.
God Bless
– Doc Johnson
Yeah im only 23 but i love old school hiphop. Im a selftaught hiphop head. I love reading about every aspect of hiphop. Ive read in depth about Tupac & Biggie & somewhat of Eazy, this will be a great opportunity to learn more.
I believed i should apply for the book i would love to read about the lives of the original gangster bio it can be a interesting read for me I grew up in that era not only that my son loves n.w.a and dre and ice cube tupac and biggie he’s only thirteen but very smart he loves old hip hop and oldest but goodies everyone says he been here before it’s intresting knowing a young kid can relate to our era
I am 43 year old white guy,life revolved around gangsta rap while I was teen. I know this sounds weird, but it helped me through tough times, gave me an outlet to express myself. I have 4 children,who all listen to this music still. I am very proud of that fact.
I’m just gonna keep this real I don’t need to make a long reasonin why I deserve the book I don’t read a lot but I would read that book because those people are idols of mine and I would like to learn there stories to be more like them in music for the future
37 and in the mean streets of WV. Not really mean, but a huge hip hop head and have been for years. Even though 3000 miles away, I grew up with anything and everything West Coast rap. As a school teacher now, it’s a blast seeing the youth of the future that I teach come to appreciate 2Pac, Cube, etc. all of a sudden. It’s a timeless connection and the kids get blown away when I can teach them a lot about what they think they know of West Coast rap and how it was growing up jamming to it and being it. Knowledge is power and what a connection rap is. Would be honored to earn a copy of this.
I have a 12 year old who likes to read. He also likes real Hip Hop and appreciates the culture and it’s history. I’ll still buy it for him of I don’t win. Wu-Tang is for the children.
33,frm Africa Big fan of west coast since nwa, the book won’t be available anywhere here.Really want to share the knowledge around hère to.Thx
I’m 187% Positive that I’m gonna Win Cuz I feel synced with the Universe.
I was Born in 1994, what is claimed to be the Pinnacle of Hip-Hop’s Golden Era.
Since i never knew my Biological Parents, I always held Keen that God has a Plan for me, and my inner faith was guided by the Universe.
When I was eventually Adopted My closest Cousin Tim (R.I.P) had came through and showed me my first ever Heard Rap Album Dr. Dre’s The Chronic 2001.
I Will Never Forget That Day.
Still D.R.E
West Coast Hip-Hop Became a needle to my veins. Still D.R.E till this day and forever will be.
Since then, I’ve become a Hip-Hop Head and have a Passion to Finish The Legacy my Cousin Tim A.K.A Conqueror could never finish due to his death.
I Truely feel the Universe has its ways of Balancing everything out in orderly fashion and 187% feel this book is a calling to my Name.
One thing I know and will always hold firm…
Thoughts become things, and if I Can See it in my Mind I Can See it in my Hands.
God is Real. I Can Envision this book being a beneficial part of wisdom in my life.
[PATĘGĘĘ]
Respect it Or Check it
Big fan of PAC n the whole WestCoast movement .. would definitely love to read this book. #TupacRifaSiempre #PickMe #MyMomDontSpeakEnglishAndKnowsAboutPac
EYYYY u know what I could put a 100 reason why I should have this book and I see a lot of muthafuckers on here putting some real shit on here so props Ima go buy this book to support the author and let someone get a chance to be a winner and its WESTSIDE TILL I FUCKEN DIE !!! thank you to all my Heros this drink in my hands goes out to all them ONLY THE FINEST^ LEFTSIDE OF THE MAP
Because I’m 22 and I’ve never read a book.
I will read it multiple times and throw quotes and statements from the book at everyone i encounter
I should win because,
I AM THE WEST!
I’m a true Tupac fan. Think I knew everything about him from his birth name being Lesane Crooks, to the beef that ultimately ended his short life. I love knowledge of music which I cherish most in life and would love to gain the knowledge within this book that I never knew about my musical heroes.
Gotta win cause I’m from the west coast of MOTHER RUSSIA, man! RRRRAHH! Didn’t have to use my AK, today wasa good day.
I should be the lucky winner because I was born in 97 and missed out on a great era of west coast rap/hip hop never got to experience and follow each artist during their time of fame and coming up and would like to learn more about them than learn from a 2nd or 3rd person. Also I love my West Coast music. Fan from New Zealand
I`m no rapper , got no sad story just a boy from belgium who want to read this book and the autograph makes it a very nice collectible. Just love 4 tha game
I would love to win this book, because I’m one of the few responsible people for making west coast hiphop popular amongst the kids in our town in northern Norway nowadays. I have an integration course with the new refugees coming to the country where I focus on teaching them about the roots, history and traditions of hiphop (focusing especially on LA-hiphop) the biggest connector to all the kids worldwide, and I want to make this book obligatory reading amongst the students. One love
I should win because I’m fan of hip hop, just gonna be forward and not write a story.
I’d love to have this book being a lover of history this book would be wonderful in teaching the next generation and a reminder to the older generation at what their life was like for them at a time hip-hop was involving
I like books
I think I should won because I’m a huge huge fan of the of school. And I’ma huge fan of 2pac. He saved my life.and I looked up to him as aa father figure. I read the book machaveli because of him.I would love to win.if I don’t yall still the shit. Have a good day .
Hiphop + West Coast + DRE in a book for a hiphop bookworm. send pleaseQ
I won’t say that I should win but I will say that I want to win this book. I live in Stockholm, Sweden. I’m 26 years old and to be honest, it’s not that very often that I manage to make a whole day go by, without me listening to Pac. He is my favourite musician of all time. I got like maybe around 10-15 books but none of them are about Hip-hop or music at all. So send this book abroad! Thanks in advance hah! 🙂
I need this on my life!! Its hard to find books like this in my city, im from México and hip hop changed my life 🙂 id like to learn more about my motivation
Im from portugal , here we dont have that type of hiphop so all we know about hiphop we searched on the internet. Know everything about them but never saw them , imma oldschool hiphop producer and my inspiration started from Big L Krs one Biggie Rakem Wu NWA 2Pac and more ..
But the point is .. thats “THE BOOK” ! And maybe this is the only oportunity i got to get my hands on that pages
God bless them all
Youtube.com/c/undergroundbeats
I love hip-hop i love to read about the rappers i love ice-cube and i like some of the others rappers to yes please send me some books Yay-Yay!
This is a great way to expess how the east coast hip hop nation was feeling. They really showed you in their style and music.
Man,I remember at 13 Tupac rapped about life and had Thug Life tatted on his upper abdomen/chest so I went and got it on my arm.My mom liked to have killed me, then I got the nose ring. To beat it all me and PAC got the same birthday. Gangsta rap has always been a great, they told real life scenarios, shit was just real. I need that book!!! I read every book dealing with the rappers from the West coast. The originals, Pac, Eazy, Dr Dre,NWA,UGK(S.Western) then you had old school rappers Snoop,Nas,Big, KRS, WU…Too many to mention with raw talent. I need the book!!!!!
I’m doing 2 comments, hope it don’t disqualify me but it’s real. I have pondered on how the idiot that shot Pac never got caught now he’s supposedly dead (Orlando Anderson)
Then Biggie’s murderer never charged… The war ran deep and it’s happening now but now it’s not just black on black, it’s cops on black. I would like to get the book. Choose me!!!!
This guy was on the Murder Master Music show being interviewed. The book sounds tight, might have to check it out myself too.
They all fake asses,neither one of them were from real gangs nor done any dirt.They were just a bunch of studio gangsters who new how to rap about da streets..Tupac as well,what a embarrassment to let a guy from the east coast come to the west coast n claim a part he wasn’t from..When u claim different gangs or states that’s a Mark as nigga who’s trying to belong..Correct me if that’s not da definition. Although I know im right however they were good rappers I would not take any of that away from them I just dislike that they called themselves real gangsters ..As I said before they were da originals to start gangster rap but don’t try to claim that you were from a real gang
Everyone needs to know the real story behind these legends. Social media doesn’t tell you about their lives. Which is very important to know how they were in life and how things went down. By the way I love listening to Old School. I’m the only one in school that probably listens to real rap as far as I’m concern. E.Z
I love Tupac
I live in a place where hip hop isn’t as much appreciated as in USA. I’m the only one in my school who loves listening to old school East coast and west coast hip hop. I love rap. In school, I’m called an ” old school G”, cuz I rap only to hardcore old school beats. I am an aspiring rapper and I want to revive old school hip hop not only in my city but also in the world. Peace ✌?#OldSchoolHipHopIsTheDopestShit
I am editor-in-chief of a hip-hop-centric online magazine called Rap Chronicle, which I self-finance and through which I have conducted various interviews with artists like Lecrae, Fashawn, CyHi da Prynce, Tedashii, Grieves, D-LocLoc, and Malik Yusef. Through my website Rap Chronicle I have published several well-recieved pieces on J. Cole, Drake, Kanye West, Common and Lupe Fiasco. Concurrently I am researching for a couple of books, one of which will be about the second golden age of hip-hop; but I am also a college student, and funds are doughs. I’ve read many excerpts from Original Gangstaz on TIDAL and think the book would be an amazing model to follow as I research my own. If I could win a copy of it, I would truly appreciate it.
I’m huge fan of 90’s music. I live place where we doesn’t have any rap magazines,cds. So i need to order stuff from online to get my favorite cds/vinyls,cass. Only book what i own is 2pac the rose that grew from concrete. I would like to give this book for my littlebrother for x-mas present if i win. New generation needs to study.
I really want to win the book! In am so intrested in the life of these talented rappers. Their talents has to he’d me in every way. I think they are ALL great, and brought so much to the world! Thank ALL of them for their hard work, and sharing it with the world.
I have been listening to rap since 1978. That was when only east coast existed. Sugar Hill Gang I have litterly listened to rap evolve I’m also from the west coast and wittnessed the west coast sound first hand. I woul just like to see if this writer has any clue as to what he wrote. Oh and I’m a rapper48 years old and white
PAC & EAZY PROBABLY ROLLING OVER IN THEIR GRAVE HEARING WHAT TODAY YOUTH IS CONSIDERED HIP HOP !!!!!
#BLOODSWEATNTEARSWASTED
#LETMEGETTHATBOOK
All I can think that’s crazy!! other than knowing having this book would be golden and definitely a piece of history to be enjoyed and shared on its own.
The music will live forever.
Whatever the reason may be we are born these dudes with they words and their lives awoke something in people in a way not many could. even many years later. That real shit.
I love West Coast Rap!
I shouldn’t.
I’d love to have this book. It’s definitely encouraging that the history of hip-hop culture in general be documented, including the stories of the West Coast rap music movement, artists based out of California. It is absolutely important to learn more about the evolution of California’s hip-hop music, which brought expanded themes to the genre about contemporary gang problems, the drug war, police misconduct and more. The urban, minority musicians who populated hip-hop became superstars like never seen before, frequently blurring their art with their reality. Their legends loom until this day. Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre’, Tupac, and all the standout West Coast Rap acts deserve to be saluted in prose.
2pac is what is rening in the street of africans in nigeria i love tupac to my die day?
Wel, I am a hrdcore fan of Campton and old school rap and i really wish and want to win it
My older brother would love this for his birthday (Oct. 24). He’s a real gangster from Inglewood, CA. Although, he might’ve been caught up in the mix, he’s what I call an “original hipster”. He knew his music from Jimi Hendrix to the Stylistics to Wu-tang Clan. He even came out in various gangster music videos (Mack 10, Wu-tan Clan, etc.) thanks to his “little homie” who was interning at Interscope records at the time (which also got me in internship there as well; not like it matters). He grew up in the era when West Coast Hip-Hop was born and I’m pretty sure he’d like to get into depth about the music of his generation. And if I don’t win, I’m voting for Trump!
I think deserve a copy because as young black male growing up n Yuma Arizona I went through lengths obtain any info on West coast hip hop hell hip hop in general..in 80s/90s. This great book would be reward enough for fan tucked in the corner of the country who still had/ heard the latest!
I should read this book, it’s really gives me motivation because of the greatest one, Tupac Amaru Shakur aka MAKAVELI and he’s the realest one that shook the world from his own voice. This book must be the real hip hop which is the old school. Tupac Shakur is too much because he’s more than just a rapper and his legend still alive forever. That why. Again from the 1980s and 1990s the the damn real stuff than today,
I do not have enough hip hop books in house, that is why i would like it, and if you want to give away more than one book, there is a program in St. Louis, Books and Breakfast, that would be a great book to donate to them.
Im from the 3rd coast and a big fan of the west coast, i think this book would let me inside the lives and careers of these artist and influential men that i could use for the better of myself and others around me. I have no better reason than anyone else to receive the book and opportunity, except that i would like to be blessed to receive this. THANKS FOR THE CHANCE
I dont have any better reason to receive this gift than any other person commenting, except that would blessed to receive this gift. Thanks for the chance.
I’ve read Monster. When NWA was released I was living in Mount Roskill, Auckland NZ. A few years later Dre released SnoopDog. Reading monster gave me an incite into gang rivalry in America.
Hearing Deuces,Trays or Hoovers in movies and gangster rap buzzes me out.
I’m interested in reading this book.
I would love this book because I am a big west coast fan. Im just curious on all of their lives because it has been so many stories written and told
Being completely honest, think that in this day and age that’s its important for people to know the truth about real music. Me being 17 old and having such an interest in this genre of music is rarity. I’d know the truth behind the music. Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity.
I would just like to know the truth about the rap artist. So that when my children ask me questions about certain rappers, I can give them the truth and not look so blind and dumb in front of them by saying to them I don’t know.
There an inspiration what else can I say but thanks for the music…..RESPECT..
I grew up on this music i was born in 81 I remember bumping nwa on a record drinking mad dog 20/20 smoking my dads stash with my olderbrother RIP Geoff I was bout 7
I would be glad to be advise that I am one of the two lucky winners. Aside from growing up hearing it from my two older brothers listening to old skool hip hop till where east coast music started to build up, It would mean a lot to me being given an opportunity to read that book. My older brother whom I was most close to passed but these genres bring memories. P.S. im a 1994 baby and other brothers are late mid 80’s babiesbabies
I would love to have this book, I’ve been a huge rap fan for a long time. All i can say is i hope i get picked if not then thanks for your time.
Yall cheap ass bitches go buy it you don hav to beg for a signature
I Feel I Should Be The Winner The Book, because Im A Huge Fan WestCoast HipHop… Especially Tupac’s Catalog, I’ve Seen A Shit Load Of Tupac Documentaries, I Have A Giant Black/White Tupac Poster On My Home Recording Studio Desk. My OutPut Of Content Is Inspired by Tupac’s Work Ethic (I Made 205 Beats) I’ve Listened To Every Official Album In Tupac’s And NWA’s, Catalog. The Chronic 2001 Is My Favorite Dr Dre Album Of All Time In WestCoast HipHop… I Have A dozen WestCoast Original Beats On My HardDrive. All In All Im Just A Hugh Fan Of The Entire SubGenre of Rap 🙂
I should b
I should be the lucky because I’m a girl from Brazil, I was born in 2001, so I missed the great times of hip hop. I listen old school hip-hop ( N.W.A, Wu-Tang Clan, Biggie, Tha Dogg Pound, 2Pac, Nas, Bone Thugs, Big L, Eminem, Big Pun, etc.) all day everyday. I’m a big fan of Eazy-E and I know everything about him. I got a lot of old school hip hop cds on my house, so I guess I should be the winner
I want this book so badly, I love watching old interviews about this legacy and time period, Straight Outta Compton is literally my favorite movie. I think it’s just a great memory’s to learn about your own culture and how they changed the way of music at such young ages. Many people today’s don’t understand what “rap” really is.
I think I should win because I like learning about my culture and the history of music.
As a person that is hard of hearing Tupac,Biggie ,Dr.dre and N.W A was very inspirational and being a white male in this country and not knowing the day-to-day struggles they all had they where all ahead of their time no matter what people say Tupac was a genius and Biggie is one of the greatest of all time .
I should win this book because I’m a huge rap fan all the way from Brazil. Thanks to and because of rap music I’ve learned english, all by myself. Many of this 90’s rappers were the first rappers I listened to, despite I’m only 21. Nowadays, I own two facebook fan pages: one is one of the biggest pages about Tupac in Brazil, the other is the biggest page about Joey Bada$$ in Brazil. I also own a channel of subtitled rap-related content for my native language, portuguese, in Youtube. The rap gave me the opportunity to learn a new language, a new culture and now I try to pass it forward, giving it back to rap. And I’d love to learn even more with such an unique item, so I can pass forward more knowledge.
Please can I win? I should win because I’m the only one that said please
I should win because i’m white!White privileged lives matter!
Who told you that lol
II’ll like to view this book due to the fact it illustrates the harsh upcomingof some of hip hops most iconic figures in hip hop history. With that being said winning a copy of this book would be a honor
I did but then it disappeared, go figure. Real talk! But Istill would love to have this book Thank You Kindly Ihave three son that would love to have and read this book. Real talk help a lady out! PLEASE
I’m 59 years old,and love me some Pac
I love God and hip-hop. As a “hip-hop pastor”, I believe that knowing as much about the hip-hop culture as I can, including its history, is beneficial for me in the work that I do. Having this book and knowing about the origins of West Coast Rap would help me reach and build with the hip-hop community to achieve the goals that I have. It will probably also increase my love of hip-hop and my understanding of it.
I would like say as a fan of hip-hop and more importantly the artists involved lifestyles and committment influenced us all even if we are not in
the music business. I would definetly like to share as much about whathey truly we’reand represented 28th
my children!
Because I want to read the book but who pays for books anymore?
Well cans can say that I should win cause ” I’m the biggest, or #1 fan or that I’m a black or white gangsta from tha hood who raps” lol. I’m a 37 yr old white boy from Ontario, Ca. who luvs to read n yes of course I followed all of them as a kid. I’d luv to win. if so thks to all if not thk u for the chance.
Even though we don’t have young kids going around shooting people because they are on their turf in our area, doesn’t mean they are not selling drugs and living a life like these guys. I have been a peer educator for drugs, alcohol, stress at home and school, sun smart and other various topics affecting our youth since I was 15 yrs old through Scouts in Australia (I am now 39) and have two young children myself. We used to use the music of NWA, ice cube etc when we were peer educating and I also listened to them with my friends and at home. Even though I knew all the risks I have tried drugs and thankfully I have not been one to become addicted. I think this may be partly because they have the opposite effect on me than they would on others. I would love to read this book as it will give me more insight to how these guys lived/live in a world that is unrelenting and full of crime and drugs and hopefully I can use the knowledge learnt from the book to continue the work we have been doing for nearly 25 years
This is a powerful tool in bridging the gap in our youth and the social and economic issues they contend with today. Each day I try to reach my community youth and try to explain,express and describe the changes,set backs and accomplishments that young people experience but thru sacrifice,hard work and positive outlook,can overcome and be powerful and successful because even thru the struggle, people like those mentioned in this book, became a success in their own right. Books have always been a teaching tool and for that reason,I would like the chance to own this piece of history.Thank You!Nehast.
Each1Teach1.
I
I grew up with Ben Westhoff and he owes me a favor, so that is why I should win the book.
Pac has helped me out through some tough times. I remember being 15/16 years old going to the library reading everything I could about this man from the Tupac Shakur legacy book (you know the ones with the poem inside lol I used to hate the people that would steal some of his work with his handwriting I thought that was so cool to see) to the memoir Darrin Bastfield wrote about his time with Pac. To be honest I was that mind pac sparked that made me want to aim for the impossible. I’m just another life Pac impacted tbh
The first rap song I studied was NWA’s Straight Outta Compton. Although I was super late on 2Pac I can honestly say that without him my love for music (and respect for him) might might not be as strong as it is to this day. He is definitely in my top 5 (top 3) I used to find as much info on him and NWA ( mostly Eazy) as Icould a few years ago. I’m only 22 so I must learn more about one of my very few Idols to understand his ways and how he might have thought the cause would turn out if not in his favor. Please
I’d like to win this book as in the UK it’s hard to buy books like this. I’m a big tupac fan , even though it’s hard to go with lyrics in public when you’re white ?
Because a Book giver you a much detailed version then any movie can and its about time someone wrote books for people to read which is becoming a myth now as everybody is always on Social media and their phones. I’m an avid reader and a Gangstaa. So i’d love the book specially that i’m from India and i don’t think it’ll be released here anyway. So my only chance is at winning it.
Thanks for the opportunity anyway,
DK
Good morning. I would love to win this book I from newark (Brick city) New Jersey. This city has seen a lot of gang violence and it’s still happening today! I would share this book with the young brothers in Newark, get them to read and see that violence is not the road to happiness or success.
Win or not, I will still get my hands on this book eventually and enjoy the value it has. I have already begun promoting it to my peers and can’t wait for a chance to read it. Fingers crossed I win a signed copy ! Thank you HipHopDX.
I want to win this book because Hip-Hop saved my soul. I am currently making music, and would love this book to cherish for the rest of my life. Keeping it short and simple.
I am currently doing videos and discussions on the heritage of Hip-Hop culture. My videos are about the authors books music etc that entails the hip-hop culture in its entirety. This book will help me further the in depth discussions and give real representative respect to elders in the community and enlighten as well. My movement is named Heritage Hip-Hop on all social Media. Adding this book would further the movement I am building.
I simply want to learn from your book and apply the lessons learnt in my community.
I would love to learn more about the positive things rappers such as Tupac, Dre & E did for their communities. With the world in the state it’s in all we see is the dark sides and negativity. It’s good to hear some positivity and stories of upliftment from from people I’ve always admired but never knew happened.
Not going to lie, there is a lot to learn about West Coast hip-hop that many folks are not aware. It would be an honor to share this story’s message with those who are fans of the music but are clueless. This would enhance my personal musical background as well. Long Live West Coast Hip-Hop!
I knew some things about this. For example how he sold trugs for a short period of time but hated what he was doing. I would love to learn more, Knowledge is power. And I really think this book is a great concept. Nobody (Media) every talks about the positive they did, only a negative message about drugs and Violence.
As a community building coordinator of two low income housing communities, I would definitely benefit from a book of this content.
It’s l about bringing the community together and to be honest what better example than this. It illustrates what rappers today don’t do in the ever changing world and they need to learn from this. Tupac set the precedence for us all to challenge as a people
I live in a South African township where gangsterism is on the rise. Growing up with Tupac music and working with youth development, resurrecting our local youth centre. it’s sad, all around the kids nowadays are losing their grip on life and this astounding book may just give me ground zero tools to save young lives out here.
Hmmmmmm.
Let’s c I was around 8,my mom was killed. Some months after I heard Tupac dear mamma ,almost made me feel like he was talking bout my mama. Now everything is Tupac ,all his music related to the reality of life. The way the white man think to the way the blacks was treated.i listen to his music whole day. Who eals to give the book I read a lot. I love Tupac and ice cube ,Dr dre and easy e