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ahomelibrary's review
The Come Up: An Oral History of the Rise of Hip-Hop by Jonathan Abrams came out in October from @crownpublishing.
Format — Oral histories read differently than other nonfiction. This book is pieced together by over 300 interviews conducted over three years. Those include DJs, music executives and producers, and artists themselves. Also includes several pages of high quality photos.
As the title suggests, the overall theme of the book is the history of hip-hop & rap’s rise to prominence, especially in the pre-internet, mixtape and underground scene era. The Come Up takes the reader to several influential communities, such as hip-hop’s roots in South Bronx and other boroughs of NY, to the south of the Mason-Dixon Line and further west to Los Angeles and beyond.
Highly identifiable interviewees include Run-DMC, Ice Cube, Kool Moe Dee, Russell Simmons of Def Jam, and members of 2 Live Crew.
Thoughts — I read a lot of hip hop history books. This one is a huge undertaking of the golden era of rap + HH’s roots. 4 stars from me.
Things covered ⤵️
Format — Oral histories read differently than other nonfiction. This book is pieced together by over 300 interviews conducted over three years. Those include DJs, music executives and producers, and artists themselves. Also includes several pages of high quality photos.
As the title suggests, the overall theme of the book is the history of hip-hop & rap’s rise to prominence, especially in the pre-internet, mixtape and underground scene era. The Come Up takes the reader to several influential communities, such as hip-hop’s roots in South Bronx and other boroughs of NY, to the south of the Mason-Dixon Line and further west to Los Angeles and beyond.
Highly identifiable interviewees include Run-DMC, Ice Cube, Kool Moe Dee, Russell Simmons of Def Jam, and members of 2 Live Crew.
Thoughts — I read a lot of hip hop history books. This one is a huge undertaking of the golden era of rap + HH’s roots. 4 stars from me.
Things covered ⤵️
provenance's review
5.0
I received this as an eGalley from NetGalley.
Best fact learned from this book:
Pharrell Williams' early rap name was....."Magnum the Verb Lord."
Best fact learned from this book:
Pharrell Williams' early rap name was....."Magnum the Verb Lord."
jshel10's review
4.0
Really great oral history of hip-hop. Super organized and lots of the early voices are a part of the storytelling. Really long, comprehensive read. Would've liked a bit more after 2000, but that's a small quibble. Solid read.
lit_vibrations's review
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was packed with so much information that I found insightful as it captured the origins of hip-hop. I’m into music heavy especially rap and just to read something that goes into depth on its history I learned so much.
It took awhile to get through this one but I enjoyed the authors personal perspective and how well he constructed the interviews, stories, talent, and backgrounds of so many artist into this one book. Definitely worth the hype and recommend you read if you’re into music. Special thanks to the author, Crown publishing, and Netgalley for my advanced copy!!!
It took awhile to get through this one but I enjoyed the authors personal perspective and how well he constructed the interviews, stories, talent, and backgrounds of so many artist into this one book. Definitely worth the hype and recommend you read if you’re into music. Special thanks to the author, Crown publishing, and Netgalley for my advanced copy!!!
tracithomas's review
5.0
This is such a mega book. Massive in scope and super impressive. Overall I was really taken by the book. A few sections were too long.