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Jay-Z, Nas Write Intro, Outro to Dyson Hip-Hop Book

Michael Eric Dyson-- known to readers of Pitchfork's "The Top 100 Tracks of 2006" list as Killer Mike's last great debate partner-- released his latest scholarly exploration of hip-hop culture today (July 9) via the Perseus Books Group's Basic Civitas Books imprint.

According to the official description of the book, titled Know What I Mean? Reflections on Hip Hop, it addresses the following issues: "the creative expression of degraded youth that has garnered them global exposure; the vexed gender relations that have made rap music a lightning rod for pundits; the commercial explosion that has made an art form a victim of its success; the political elements that have been submerged in the most popular form of hip hop; and the intellectual engagement with some of hip hop's most influential figures."

Provocative and relevant issues all, but Know What I Mean? is also notable for the authors of its intro and outro: Jay-Z and Nas, respectively. Jay-Z's introduction is even available for your reading pleasure right now, right here on Dyson's website.

On a tangentially related note, an insightful account of what exactly is wrong with rap today is available for more online reading here, at the excellent OhWord.
MP3: Killer Mike: That's Life [from the I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind mixtape]
Posted by Dave Maher in book on Mon: 07-09-07: 05:00 PM CDT | Digg this article | Add to del.icio.us | Permalink
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