How to Rap
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'Volumes: How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC How to Rap 2: Advanced Flow & Delivery Techniques | |
Author | Paul Edwards |
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Country | United States |
Language | English |
Genre | Non-fiction hip hop |
Publisher | Chicago Review Press |
Published | Dec 1st 2009, Sep 1st 2013 |
Media type | Print (paperback) |
How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC is a book on hip hop music and rapping by Paul Edwards. It is compiled from interviews with 104 notable rappers who provide insights into how they write and perform their lyrics.[1][2][3]
How to Rap 2: Advanced Flow & Delivery Techniques is a sequel to the book, also on hip hop music and rapping by Paul Edwards. It includes more insights from the interviews done from the first book.[4]
Publication
How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC was published by Chicago Review Press in December, 2009 with a foreword by Kool G Rap.[2][5][6] Publishers Weekly states that it “goes into everything from why rappers freestyle to the challenges of collaboration in hip-hop”,[7] and Library Journal says, “instruction ranges over selecting topics and form, editing, rhyming techniques, putting words to music, collaborating, vocal techniques, studio tips, and performance”.[2]
How to Rap 2: Advanced Flow & Delivery Techniques was also published by Chicago Review Press in September, 2013 with a foreword by Gift of Gab of Blackalicious.[4][8] In the sequel, reviewers note that, "Edwards asks advanced wordsmiths for advice on rhythm, melody, pitch, timing, enunciation, percussion, playing characters, rhyme schemes, and rhyme patterns."[9]
How to Rap is published in the UK by Random House on their Virgin Books imprint.[10] This edition is also published by Random House in Australia.[11] It was translated and published in Japanese by P-Vine Books in 2011[12] (part of P-Vine Records) and translated and published in Korean by Hans Media, also in 2011.[13]
Artists interviewed
The book is compiled from interviews with rappers; the interviews comprise the majority of the book's content.[2] The following artists were interviewed by the author:[3][6]
- 2Mex of The Visionaries
- 40 Cal of Dipset
- Aesop Rock
- Akil The MC of Jurassic 5
- Akir
- AMG
- Andy Cat of Ugly Duckling
- AZ
- Big Daddy Kane
- Big Noyd
- Big Pooh of Little Brother
- Bishop Lamont (Dr. Dre’s protégé)
- Bobby Creekwater
- Bootie Brown of The Pharcyde
- B-Real of Cypress Hill
- Brother Ali
- Brother J of X-Clan
- Buckshot of Black Moon and Boot Camp Clik
- Cage
- Cappadonna (Wu-Tang Clan affiliate)
- Cashis (Eminem’s protégé)
- Chuck D of Public Enemy
- C-Murder
- Cormega
- Crooked I
- David Banner
- Del The Funky Homosapien of Hieroglyphics
- Devin The Dude
- DJ Quik
- Dray of Das Efx
- E-40
- El Da Sensei of Artifacts
- Esoteric of 7L & Esoteric
- Evidence of Dilated Peoples
- Fredro Starr of Onyx
- Gift Of Gab of Blackalicious and Quannum
- Glasses Malone
- Gorilla Zoe
- Guerilla Black
- Havoc of Mobb Deep
- Hell Rell of Dipset
- Ill Bill of Non Phixion and La Coka Nostra
- Imani of The Pharcyde
- Immortal Technique
- Joell Ortiz
- Killah Priest (Wu-Tang Clan affiliate)
- Kool G Rap
- K-Os
- Lady Of Rage
- Lateef of Latyrx and Quannum
- Lord Jamar of Brand Nubian
- Masta Ace
- MC Serch of 3rd Bass
- MC Shan
- Mighty Casey
- Mr Lif
- Murs
- Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship
- N.O.R.E. of Capone-N-Noreaga
- Nelly
- O.C. of Diggin' In The Crates
- Omar Cruz
- One Be Lo of Binary Star
- Papoose
- Paris
- Pharoahe Monch of Organized Konfusion
- Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest
- Pigeon John of Quannum and LA Symphony
- Planet Asia of Cali Agents
- Pusha T of Clipse
- Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest
- R.A. The Rugged Man
- Rah Digga
- Rampage of Flipmode Squad
- RBX
- Remy Ma
- Rock of Heltah Skeltah and Boot Camp Clik
- Royce Da 5’9”
- Schoolly D
- Sean Price of Heltah Skeltah and Boot Camp Clik
- Sheek Louch of D-Block/The Lox
- Shock G of Digital Underground
- Speech of Arrested Development
- Spider Loc
- Stat Quo
- Steele of Smif-n-Wessun and Boot Camp Clik
- Stressmatic of The Federation
- Styles P of D-Block/The Lox
- T3 of Slum Village
- Tajai of Souls Of Mischief and Hieroglyphics
- Tash of Tha Alkaholiks
- Tech N9ne
- Termanology
- Thes One of People Under The Stairs
- Twista
- Vast Aire of Cannibal Ox
- Vinnie Paz of Jedi Mind Tricks
- Vursatyl of Lifesavas and Quannum
- Wildchild of Lootpack
- will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas
- Wise Intelligent of Poor Righteous Teachers
- Wordsworth
- Yukmouth of The Luniz
- Zumbi of Zion I
It also includes information on other artists, who are commented on by the interviewed artists, including:[3][6]
- Tupac Shakur
- Beastie Boys
- Big Pun
- Dr. Dre
- Eminem
- Jay-Z
- KRS-One
- Melle Mel
- Nas
- Notorious B.I.G.
- Rakim
- Snoop Dogg
- T.I.
Reception
The book was positively received by critics and press outlets.[14] Library Journal says it is, “filled with real tools and overflowing with inspiration… a good read even for nonartists interested in learning more about hip-hop creativity, personalities, and history, this offers insights into music and poetry. Highly recommended,”[2] Hip Hop Connection called it “a complete guide to the art and craft of the MC, anyone who's serious about becoming a rapper should read this first… a vital and vibrant expose of a much misunderstood art form,”[14] and Campus Circle give it a “Grade: A+”.[15]
XXL magazine said "over 100 rappers have offered their insight on the artform for aspiring wordsmiths",[16] while Yale University Press's Anthology of Rap referred to How to Rap's "rich array of interviews with old school and new school artists,"[17] and Oxford University Press's How to Fix Copyright recommended How to Rap for a good "general" overview.[18]
Dana Gioia, poet and former chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts wrote, “How To Rap marks a cultural coming-of-age for Hip-Hop… [it] is the first comprehensive poetics of this new literary form. …Edwards has made his bid to become the Aristotle of Hip-Hop poetics”.[14]
It also received positive comments from hip-hop journalists and authors such as Kembrew McLeod, Dan LeRoy, Alex Ogg, Mickey Hess, Russell Potter, and Pancho McFarland,[14] and from artists such as Georgia Anne Muldrow, Egon of Stones Throw Records, Badru Umi, and Speech of Arrested Development.[14]
In a review of a Kanye West album, news outlet The Daily Beast praised the book, saying: "In Paul Edwards’s comprehensive tome How to Rap, the author surveyed a plethora of rap emcees—104, to be exact—in order to demystify the rap process."[19]
Notes
- ↑ "Chicago Review Press". Chicago Review Press. 2009-12-01. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Xpress Reviews-First Look at New Books". Libraryjournal.com. 2009-11-20. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- 1 2 3 Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press.
- 1 2 "How to Rap 2". Ipgbook.com. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ↑ "How To Rap: Kool G Rap (Foreword)". Rap Radar. 2009-12-03. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- 1 2 3 "How To Rap". Howtorapbook.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ↑ "The Song Remains the Same". Publishersweekly.com. 2009-09-07. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ↑ "Gift Of Gab To Write Foreward Of Paul Edwards' "How To Rap 2: Advanced Flow & Delivery Techniques". HipHopDX. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ↑ "Hustle and Flow: Hip-hop Theory and Praxis". Roy Christopher. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ↑ "How to Rap : Paul Edwards". Randomhouse.co.uk. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ↑ "How to Rap". Random House Australia. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ↑ "「HOW TO RAP 104人のラッパーが教えるラップの神髄」ポール・エドワーズ 著". 「HOW TO RAP 104人のラッパーが教えるラップの神髄」ポール・エドワーズ 著. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ↑ "국내 최초 랩 입문서 '하우 투 랩' 출간". Hiphopplaya.com. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Reviews". Howtorapbook.com. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ↑ "How to Rap: The Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC". Campus Circle. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
- ↑ "Clipse, Mobb Deep & Pharoahe Monch Teach Fans "How to Rap" in New Book". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ↑ Adam Bradley, 2011, The Anthology of Rap, Yale University Press, Introduction, p.xlvii.
- ↑ William Patry, 2012, How to Fix Copyright, Oxford University Press, p.283.
- ↑ "Praise 'Yeezus': Kanye West's New Album is an Eclectic Tour de Force". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
References
- Edwards, Paul (2009). How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC. Chicago Review Press, ISBN 1-55652-816-7.