Posts Tagged ‘rap’

The first book of its kind | How to Rap: The Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC

I love hip hop music. I’ve studied its origins from the South Bronx, to its usage of samples and delivery of masterful rhymes, and on to the sub genres glitch, dubstep, and electro etc. I also love anything “How-to”. I go wild on search engines like Google and Yahoo asking every little question that pops into my head. If you are not yet doing this, I recommend starting now. Its time to flip the switch and turn on that light bulb above your heads. Start with Howcast, eHow and about.com

While searching the web recently, I stumbled on a newly released book “How to Rap” The Art and Science of the MC. The cover features a photo of Q-Tip on the Mic and a short list of highly credible featured rappers. A true legend in the game, Kool G Rap writes the forward. MC’s from every region are featured within its pages including many classic hip hop era MC’s. For example you will read tips, advice and guidance from the likes of Gift of Gab, Havok of Mobb Deep, Big Daddy Kane, GURU of Gang Starr, RZA, KRS-1, Nas, Redman, Tha Alkaholiks, Cypress Hill and E-40. This book does not fall short of MC contributions.

Author Paul Edwards is an established writer and a researcher of hip hop. His book is the most extensive release of its kind featuring more than 100 rappers discussing and telling you how they use literary tools, imagery, similes, metaphors and analogies to define their style and personalities. How they work in the studio, perform live, play with words, punchlines, freestyling and making beats are also discussed, not to mention breathing techniques, vocal style and enunciation.

Released December 9th, 2009 How to Rap: The Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC is available now at Amazon.com If you pick one up, please send me an email or post a comment with your thoughts on the book. I read everything and respond to everyone.

Thank you for reading, hope you enjoy the book – Rotten Mac

Update Feb 22, 2010:

Check heck out this well written review by Clyde Smith from Hip Hip Press at http://www.hiphoppress.com/2010/02/over-100-hiphop-legends-teach-you-how-to-rap-in-new-book.html100-hiphop-legends-teach-you-how-to-rap-in-new-book.html

Contact Clyde via hiphoppress@netweed.com Att: Clyde Smith

Cont. A Hip Hop Timeline 1980 & 1981 as featured on about.com

Here is 1980 and 1981 in Hip Hop as featured on about.com by Henry Adaso

1980:

• Afrika Bambaata and the Zulu Nation release their first 12″ called Zulu Nation Throwdown Pt. 1 on Paul Winley Records.
• Kurtis Blow, the first rapper to appear on national television (Soul Train), releases “The Breaks” on Mercury Records. The record goes on to sell more than a million copies. Hip-hop gradually evolves into big business.
• After meeting Fab 5 Freddy and others, Blonde releases “Rapture” featuring rap vocals by lead singer Debbie Harry.

1981:

• Grandmaster Flash releases “The Adventures of Grand Master Flash on the Wheels of Steel,” the first record to ultimately capture the soundsof live DJ scratching on wax.
• On February 14th, The Funky 4 plus One More perform their classic hit, “That’s The Joint” on NBC’s Saturday Night Live becoming the first hip
• hop group to appear on national television.
• The Beastie Boys are formed. The group consists of Adam Horovitz (King Ad-Rock), Adam Yauch (MCA), Michael Diamon (Mike D).

The moment I became a lifetime Hip Hop felon… I mean fan. (And 1979 in Rap History)

I was raised on Hip Hop. Well, my family didn’t raise me on Hip Hop, Hip Hop raised me. It started way back, in history (1987 5th grade)  when an older friend of mine played me an album called Escape, by Whodini (circa 1984)

The first time I heard rap music, It was 1987 in 5th grade

My Hip Hop History began the moment I heard the songs “Five Minutes of Funk”, “The Freaks Come Out at Night”, “Friends”, and “Rumors”, I was hooked. Lock me up and throw away the key because I was to become a lifetime Rap and Hip Hop felon… I mean fan. But I may get into that in future posts.

I want to bring you moments in history that shaped Rap and Hip Hop. My source is from  article

The History of Hip-Hop

Hip-Hop Timeline: 1979 – 1988

by Henry Adaso at about.com.

Let’s start with the year 1979……………………

• Grandmaster Flash forms one of the most influential rap groups ever, The Furious 5: Grandmaster Flash (Joseph Saddler), Melle Mel (Melvin Glover), Kidd Creole (Nathaniel Glover), Cowboy (Keith Wiggins), Raheim (Guy Williams), and Mr. Ness (Eddie Morris).
• Around the same time, another great rap crew – The Cold Crush Four – was formed, comprising of Charlie Chase, Tony Tone, Grand Master Caz, Easy Ad, JDL, and Almighty KG.
• The first rap record by a non-rap group “King Tim III” is recorded by the Fatback Band.
• Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” would go on to become the first known rap hit, reaching #36 on Billboard.
• Various obscure rap singles were also released: Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5’s “Super-rappin” and Spoonie Gee’s “Spoonin’ Rap” both on Enjoy Records, Kurtis Blow’s “Christmas Rappin” on Mercury Records, and Jimmy Spicer’s 13-minute long storytelling track “Adventures of Super Rhymes” on Dazz Records.
• Mr. Magic’s ‘Rap Attack’ becomes the first hip-hop radio show on WHBI.

I will be posting more of “The History of Hip Hop” 1979-1988 in future posts.