It's Bigger Than Hip Hop

by M.K. Asante Jr.

Book Overview

It's Bigger Than Hip Hop takes a bold look at the rise of a generation that sees beyond the smoke and mirrors of corporate-manufactured rap and is building a movement that will change not only the face of pop culture, but the world.

M. K. Asante, Jr., a passionate young poet, professor, filmmaker, and activist who represents this new movement, uses hip hop as a springboard for a larger discussion about the urgent social and political issues...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312593023
• ISBN13: 9780312593025
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Griffin
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

I Used To Love H.E.R.

What do popping collars and bling have to do with a revolution? How are people who know nothing about hip hop defining its culture? It's Bigger Than Hip Hop by M.K. Asante Jr. shows how these things, and more, have everything to do with hip hop's transformation. Asante Jr. goes beyond surface facts like the first rap song to top music charts or defining acronyms (i.e. D.J., M.C., etc.). The author eloquently cannon-balls into the grudge today's youth have with what hip hop stands for because of what it stood for initially. From the perspective of a generation deep in awareness and appreciation of the need hip hop used to fill, readers will learn why hip hop no longer represents them, what they feel is needed for its resurrection, and what was ultimately sacrificed when we became all about the Benjamins. Asante Jr. examines conversations with his college students, rap lyrics, speech sound bytes, etc and hits on political, historical, racial, and economical issues that play vital roles in the unrest and revolution-ready, conscious young adults of today. The author's passion for the topic is what gripped me from the first page. As a self-professed hip hop head, it was challenging to wrap my thoughts around, and accept, how disabled the culture has become. When I began having my own uncomfortable moments with hip hop, I could not quite define why. It's Bigger Than Hip Hop describes in detail the exact reasons I was on the brink of discontent. Moving beyond what this book has clarified for me, the writing is fresh, excerpts were used effectively, and the pictures painted parallel free verse poetry. Readers who enjoy hip hop culture and those who have grown weary of hip hop would really enjoy It's Bigger Than Hip Hop. Reviewed by Darnetta Frazier APOOO BookClub

WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!

M.K. Asante Jr. is a gem. His book It's Bigger Than Hip Hop is one of the most in depth investigative books from our own community in quite some time. Asante's writing style is reminiscent of the great James Baldwin. The ancestors are watching and speak through Asante. Hip Hop has become one of the most financially successful music genres of an entire century. Hip Hop reaches all ages, classes, races and countries. However, the image of Hip Hop that has spread in our communities and worldwide has changed over the years from its underground message of unity to consumerism/materialism by any means necessary. We have lost control of our own music yet when considering other black music genres from the past; blues, jazz, R & B we have never `owned' our music. History repeats itself. In retrospect, Ray Charles and Prince, to name a few, understood the need for us to own our lyrics, music, distribution houses, etc... (ex. When Prince wrote slave on his head to get out of a music contract and own his music). Almost 40 years after the Civil Rights Movement and where are we? We integrated yet we never asked once what will happen to us after integration? We never had a plan. If considering that the former African-American segregated communities were small nations how is it that once we gained our `independence' we did not have a well thought out plan? Asante's book addresses some of those issues post-Civil Rights, post hip-hop. Every chapter needs to be read and analyzed in classrooms but specifically read between parent and child. This book needs to get in the hands of every African (Latinos too) in the U.S., the rest of the Diaspora and Africa to fully understand our current state of affairs. Chapter Glimpses: Chapter 2: Keepin' It Real vs. Reel, The Truth about Commercialized Hip Hop artists (Not really hood at all but rather came from the middle class and two parents' home, ex. ODB) But why would ODB or any other artist sell their soul like that? Chapter 3: What's Really Hood? A Conversation with the African-American Ghetto? This will be a classic in literature. A one on one interview with Asante and Hip Hop. Chapter 5: It's Bigger Than Hip Hop: Time Line (1965 -1991) A historical time line that puts politics, hip hop, our history in perspective. Chapter 6: Old White Men (or, Who Owns Hip Hop) Who really owns Hip Hop? Viacom? Bald Head Israeli's? Discusses Mos Def's underground never aired classic "The Rape Over". Chapter 7: Beyond Jena: Free `Em All.Assata Shakur, Political Prisoners, Slave working Prisoners. Chapter 8: FTP, F' the Police. Cameras on our blocks, police brutality. Interview with Dead Prez. Chapter 9: Universal Language: Black and Brown. Common Struggles. Immortal Technique. Chapter 10: Two Sets of Notes: Asante suggests to students to take two sets of notes, theirs and ours. Chapter 12: (State Property) The linguistics of Clothes. State Property Brand Beanie Sigel. Marketing death and eternal imprisonment to black boys/men.Fre

A must read!!

I pre-ordered this book over the summer anticipating a great read, as I am a fan of M.K. Asante, Jr.'s poetry. I already have Like Water Running Off My Back Like Water Running Off My Back: Poems and Beautiful. & Ugly Too Beautiful. And Ugly Too. After reading It's Bigger Than Hop Hop, I am truly blown away by the insight and energy put into this new non-fiction work. I really enjoy the innovative interviews Asante conducts with the "Ghetto" and "Hip-Hop" and the call to action for 'Artivists' by any medium necessary. Unlike anything I've read so far about the corporate controlled hip hop industry, the book explores the break away from that fakeness by a new generation. And there is so much music I need to hear now after reading the myriad of quotations and excerpts included in this book. The photos are great too! A must read!!

BRILLIANT

The title says it all. This book is a brilliant document of 21st century Black thought and life. I especially dug the combination of scholarship, poetry, creative non-fiction, analysis, conscious rap lyrics and LOVE that the author transfers through the page. All of these elements are needed when dealing with the huge issues he tackles in this book. This is not another dry academic hip hop book or anything like that. This book actually needs it's own category. I most definitely recommend this for all thinking people!

Profound, Creative and Inspiring

It's a challenge to describe this book because it is very different from most of the books I've read on hip hop and youth of color. For one, the writer is young and his voice feels authentic and real. It's evident from the onset that the writer loves hip hop. But even more than that, he uses examples from conscious and politically-progressive hip hop to make interesting and often timely points about what many youth of color are going through. Also, he uses personal examples from his life that I'm sure many young, urban folks can relate to. The book is profound in its message and creative in its delivery. Powerful points are often highlighted with equally powerful hip hop lyrics that really emphasize the point. Other creative things he does is conduct a phone interview with hip hop, an interview with the ghetto which gives the reader an understanding of the racist policies and zoning laws that created the ghetto. And finally this book is inspiring for me. I'm 20 years old and I feel like the authors energy and love come through the pages in a way that makes me want to take action and speak up! A great book.