#Hip-Hop Book

[patricksmusicblog]

The Tupac Encyclopedia: Volume 1(Review)

2Pac is at the top of the list of hip-hop/rap icons and legends and one of the absolute first names people think of when they think about 90′s hip-hop and important 90′s pop culture figures in general. During his career, Tupac Shakur produced acclaimed albums and hundreds of songs(released and unreleased, he also starred but classic and cult classic films. Due to his legend, popularity, and polarization, there’s been books, documentaries, and even a motion picture about him. As a person, he was a beloved, sometimes disdained star turned superstar embroiled in controversy from the beginning of his career until he was killed at 25. One may wonder what can be done on Tupac, the man, and artist, that hadn’t already been done 25+ years later. Author Michael Namikas answers just that with his new book The Tupac Encyclopedia: Volume 1.

The Tupac Encyclopedia: Volume 1 is A thoroughly researched book dedicated to categorizing and chronicling the life and works of Tupac Amaru Shukar. It’s a book that moves alphabetically through essential 2Pac songs, albums, hits, and deep cuts, discussing the time of release, creation, and some of the background leading up to the track being made, where the song landed, and varying versions of the song, etc. Michael also details artists/producers Tupac worked with, was influenced by, and influenced. There are sections about Tupac’s films and the soundtracks that came with them. He speaks to things and eras that shaped him, like the Black Panther background. The poverty Tupac came up in the father figures in his life or lack thereof, and the undeniable influence his mother, Afeni Shakur was on him. His general philosophies and activism is also captured in this book. Michael Namikas is also not afraid to delve into Tupac’s beefs, controversies, legal issues, and vices. While this book is obviously in honor of its subject, it isn’t a completely biased view of Tupac. Michael never attempts to absolve Tupac Shakur’s more ill-advised/negative choices; he provides much-needed context to many situations that have been eroded by tons of revisionist history. 

If you’re a fan of Tupac Shakur, you should give this a read, and if you’re a hip-hop head, I’d give this a read. It is meticulously researched and well-written. Some sections are as detailed, vivid, and visceral as the subject matter deserves. It’s also a general guide to finding out about 2Pac songs and info you haven’t heard. Even the most die-hard hip-heads and 2Pac fans will have difficulty finding a song they hadn’t heard or a perspective they hadn’t considered. I can’t recommend this book enough, as I know it was a labor of love and passion for Tupac’s contributions to the world through his life and art.

http://www.michaelnamikas.com/

Rating: 10/10

By: Patrick Griffin II

[possible-streetwear]

[taweetie]

Megan Thee Stallion in Christian Siriano for CR Fashion Book

[gedankenrap]

"Weil ich weiß, was wir für Tage hatten. Kann ich versteh'n, wieso Gedanken mich nicht schlafen lassen."

[cultlifecollective-blog]

RORSCHACH

[marielle-heller]

since people on here are talking about rap and how it's a lot more diverse than people give it credit for, I thought I'd add that a really wonderful source of information on the genre from its formation to ~around~ present day is the book The Come Up by Jonathan Abrams. especially if you want to get a taste of just how WIDE the scope of rap can be, I actually compiled a list of every song mentioned in the book that I could find on spotify (it's about 300 songs and admittedly includes a few non-hip hop songs that influenced other songs and were sampled in them)

obviously you're not likely to enjoy every single song. I didn't, but then I made a new, shorter playlist of the songs I did like, and I suddenly had a huge wealth of hip-hop history at my fingertips that I felt like I could really connect with and enjoy. it's there, trust me! especially if you listen to the whole thing you will hear how much it changes. you will be able to identify different sub-genres that may or may not be your taste. from there you could dig more into an artist or try googling "songs like" a particular one you enjoyed

I'll also note that like. definitely this is a bit lacking in female artists. I haven't read it yet but I do have a copy of God Save the Queens: An Essential History of Women in Hip-Hop by Katy Iandoli which is a good recommendation if you're looking to focus on women within the genre.

but it is a start, and it is worth checking out to educate yourself if you've never liked hip-hop. I thought I wasn't the biggest fan for a long time, and then I realized I just didn't love what I was hearing in the current mainstream. there's a lot of older artists I really connected with, and I've even been able to find some more current songs I enjoy.

this is also by no means an exhaustive playlist! these are songs that, for whatever reason, in context, were chosen to be mentioned in this book. there are definitely other amazing ones that didn't come up for whatever reason (for example, and maybe because it is a bit more focused on the history, Kendrick Lamar actually does not appear on the playlist). but I encourage people to check it out if you think you might be interested in rap. and especially if you're interested in rap beefs, there are several highlighted here. sorry to Queens but I really enjoy "The Bridge is Over" by Boogie Down Productions which is like a diss track on the whole borough </3

anyway, just thought I'd throw this out here. hopefully someone enjoys it! thank you

[faceclaimsity]

[amourlashai]

The Tao of Wu by RZA is such an intellectually stimulating book! I literally cannot stop highlighting because there are so many gems in it.

[possible-streetwear]

[thatcreepydoll]

intro post (?)

yea so i forgot these existed. a lot of my basic info is up by my pfp but i guess ill make a post

hi my name is buttons, i’m a she/her and i like boys (specifically jack merridew but shhhh). i’m just some angsty emo teen and i love being cringe. i am an *AUTISTIC MINOR* so please have some grace (and common sense/decency)

i am a pentecostal christian so you will see me post stuff abt christianity on here. i don’t condone hate of any kind tho, wether it be towards me, my religion/beliefs, other religions/beliefs, hate towards others, making fun of others or anything like that. DNI if ur gonna be like that dawg

i am a ballet/hip hop dancer. i’ve been dancing for 10 years (being ballet, 5 years being hip hop and some other styles in the mix). i’m also a theatre kid so i’m all about being over the top (sometimes). i make art and do writing. i dream of becoming an author one day.

i have a cat named anthrax. full name bacillus anthracis simon *insert my last name*. you will see him a lot.

i’m a neurodivergent INTP who unfortunately suffers from depression/anxiety/depersonalization disorder :( but bro we’re gonna pull thru ok 🦅🦅

i’m a big heavy metal/alternative/hard rock/indie fan. my favorite bands/musicians include shinedown, metallica, system of a down, jazmin bean, my chemical romance, aerosmith, and linkin park. i also love theatre music obviously.

current hyper fixations!! yayyyy! main interests get a ‼️ side interests get a ❗️

•lord of the flies ‼️

•genshin impact ‼️

•fnaf ‼️

•spiderman ❗️

•luca ‼️

•bluey ❗️

•mha ❗️

•ride the cyclone ‼️

•hamilton ‼️

•the lorax ❗️

• coraline ❗️

uhhh i tend to use a lot of slang so bear with me plz. i like frogs bats rats and cats. fav color is red. i’m learning italian and um yea.

[gedankenrap]

"Uns richtet niemand außer Gott, Fick Justiz und fick die Cops"

[turbomnstr]

[dijidweeeb]

Kendrick Lamar Cartoon (2024)

[cultlifecollective-blog]

DR. STRANGE

[tha-wrecka-stow]

Gif Credit: @willenniuumm

[lifehitsharder]

What is the point of you loving me deeply, but not understanding me, missing me, but not searching for me, and wanting me to be a part of your life, but not the most important one?