Read Up on 50 Years of Hip-Hop

By Kat La Mantia | May 31 2023 | AdultsGeneralAllPop CultureBlog

One warm August day in 1973 at a back-to-school block party in the Bronx, hip-hop was born. The melting pot of the city brought together the music and culture of the Caribbean islands with the African-American sonic heritage of jazz, soul, blues, and funk, combined it with the need to give a voice to the politically silenced, stirred it all into the social scene of the day which included DJs who hosted community parties, and out came a musical genre with a deep-rooted legacy that was somehow entirely new. In the fifty years since, hip-hop has evolved into distinct regional flavors, launched artists into mega-fame, and always finds itself on the leading edge of innovation. From drum machines to Soundcloud rappers, the creative power of hip-hop is undeniable.

2023 marks the fiftieth anniversary of this groundbreaking artform. Celebrate the legacy of hip-hop with books on its fashion, history, culture, and legendary stars.

50 Years of Hip-Hop Greatness
9780847873166
Co-authored by Hip-Hop legend LL COOL J, acclaimed journalist Vikki Tobak and Rock The Bells’ editorial director Alec Banks, this momentous volume celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the influential culture, sound, and preeminent voices of American Hip-Hop music.
$55.00 US
Oct 03, 2023
9-1/4 x 12-1/2
Hardcover
336 Pages
Rizzoli

9780593236086
Casual listeners and die-hard purists, test your hip-hop knowledge in this 300-card trivia spinoff from the live game show, The Questions--just in time for hip-hop's 50th birthday!
$25.00 US
Jan 24, 2023
5-5/8 x 3-11/16
Game
300 Pages
Clarkson Potter

An Oral History of the Rise of Hip-Hop
9781984825131
The essential oral history of hip-hop, from its origins on the playgrounds of the Bronx to its reign as the most powerful force in pop culture
$35.00 US
Oct 18, 2022
6-1/8 x 9-1/4
Hardcover
544 Pages
Crown

The Authorized Biography
9781524761042
The first and only Estate-authorized biography of the legendary artist, Tupac Shakur, a moving exploration of his life and powerful legacy, fully illustrated with photos, mementos, handwritten poetry, musings, and moreArtist, Poet, Actor, Revolutionary, Legend- Tupac Shakur
$35.00 US
Oct 24, 2023
6-1/8 x 9-1/8
Hardcover
448 Pages
Crown

The Golden Era of NYC Hip-Hop Mixtapes
9780847872244
Do Remember! The Golden Era of NYC Hip-Hop Mixtapes is the first comprehensive deep-dive oral and visual history of the golden era of hip-hop mixtape culture in New York City.
$45.00 US
Oct 03, 2023
7-7/8 x 10
Hardcover
240 Pages
Rizzoli

A Memoir on the Art of Becoming Who We Are
9780593446928
From one of our generation’s most powerful artists and incisive storytellers comes a brilliantly crafted work about the art –and war – of becoming who we are.
$26.99 US
Nov 14, 2023
5-1/2 x 8-1/4
Hardcover
208 Pages
One World

A 52-Card Deck and Guidebook: Oracle Cards
9780593233221
A stunningly illustrated oracle deck featuring 52 of hip-hop’s most influential queens (from Lauryn Hill to Megan Thee Stallion) serving as compass points for spiritual growth and portals to guidance and meditation—from the author of God Save the Queens: The Essential History of Women in Hip-Hop. 
$23.00 US
Nov 23, 2021
4-7/8 x 6-3/8
Cards
52 Pages
Clarkson Potter

50 Reflections on Creativity, Motivation and Wellbeing
9780744061192
Hip-hop meets self-help in this innovative new book, with lessons on creativity, self-belief, productivity, and more inspired by rap’s most influential voices.
$19.99 US
Sep 06, 2022
6-5/16 x 7-7/8
Hardcover
144 Pages
DK

The Hip-Hop Rhyming Word Game for Wannabe MCs
9780744089479
Mad Libs meets Method Man, Missy Elliot, and more with this hilarious word game to test rhyme skills, pun abilities and quick wits. It’s the perfect gift for all hip-hop fans, aspiring MCs and street poets.
$19.99 US
Sep 26, 2023
4-3/4 x 6-5/16
Cards
32 Pages
DK

9780847899319
On a hot summer night in August of 1973, DJ Kool Herc and his sister, Cindy, put on a “back to school jam” in the rec room of their apartment block at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the West Bronx. The rest is history. The birth of hip hop rippled out across the globe, influencing music and fashion for generations.
$55.00 US
Feb 07, 2023
9 x 11
Hardcover
256 Pages
Rizzoli Electa

The Photography of Brother Ernie
9780789334411
Filled with more than 250 images of artists including Ice Cube, The Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Naughty by Nature, Public Enemy, 50 Cent, N.W.A, Snoop Dogg, Lil' Kim, Flavor Flav, Lauren Hill, Queen Latifah, TLC, many that have never before been published, this book is set to become the new hip-hop photography bible
$45.00 US
Sep 25, 2018
8 x 10
Hardcover
304 Pages
Universe

A Visual History of Hip-Hop
9780525573883
A collection of photographic essays of rap and hip-hop legends, as told through the contact sheets from their most iconic photo shoots
$40.00 US
Oct 16, 2018
10 x 13
Hardcover
288 Pages
Clarkson Potter

The Run-DMC and Beastie Boys Photographs
9780847866472
"People always get caught up in what these two iconic groups stood for, but can we just step back for a moment and say, who gives a fuck? They were good! They made amazing records!...Rap parallels punk rock: Destroy everything that came before it and borrow little bits to help you get there. Bring it full circle: it helps us understand how and why these two groups did what they did, and why Glen E. brings us into the picture deeper than anyone and brings it all together. Forever. These photographs inspire and excite us to this day." -- Chris Rock"Run-DMC were outsiders from mainstream culture. The Beasties were outsiders from hip-hop culture. Being accepted by Run-DMC and touring with Run-DMC was a mark of authenticity for Beastie Boys. There was a feeling of family between the two groups." -- Rick Rubin
$45.00 US
Oct 01, 2019
10-1/2 x 8-3/4
Hardcover
224 Pages
Rizzoli

9780593487747
From hip-hop pioneer Darryl “DMC” McDaniels comes Darryl’s Dream, a new picture book about creativity, confidence, and finding your voice.
$14.99 US
Jan 04, 2022
10 x 10
Hardcover
32 Pages
Random House Books for Young Readers
Age 3-7 years