Finally got around to this and I must say it's very comprehensive and (so far) a joy to read. Props to Chang and everyone else involved.*THAT REAL SCHITT*
Just finished the second chapter last night. I am really digging it so far. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it seems really comprehensive. The description of postcolonial Jamaica was really fascinating. I can???t wait to read more.
Finally got around to this and I must say it's very comprehensive and (so far) a joy to read. Props to Chang and everyone else involved.
*THAT REAL SCHITT*
It, unfortunately, derails towards the end but that first third is incredible.
The chapters on NY Gangs are ridiculous. I got less and less interested as the focus shifted towards the west coast, actually.
Well, I thought the west coast stuff was worthwhile, too; I was referring more to the way that his agenda of likening organic youth movements of previous decades to present-day "hip-hop activism" (something I'm not convinced even exists) dominated the closing chapters.
Well, I thought the west coast stuff was worthwhile, too; I was referring more to the way that his agenda of likening organic youth movements of previous decades to present-day "hip-hop activism" (something I'm not convinced even exists) dominated the closing chapters.
So I take it you haven't read Bakari Kitwana's Why White Kids Love Hip Hop: Wangstas, Wiggers, Wannabes, and the New Reality of Race in America.
Unfortunately, I have read it. So much promise, in concept. So very in reality.
Well, I thought the west coast stuff was worthwhile, too; I was referring more to the way that his agenda of likening organic youth movements of previous decades to present-day "hip-hop activism" (something I'm not convinced even exists) dominated the closing chapters.
So I take it you haven't read Bakari Kitwana's Why White Kids Love Hip Hop: Wangstas, Wiggers, Wannabes, and the New Reality of Race in America.
Unfortunately, I have read it. So much promise, in concept. So very in reality.
That dude is not really a writer I can get with at all.
Finally got around to this and I must say it's very comprehensive and (so far) a joy to read. Props to Chang and everyone else involved.
*THAT REAL SCHITT*
It, unfortunately, derails towards the end but that first third is incredible.
Shhhhh....I am only halfway thru it...Professor Griff just gave his infamous "jews=wickedness" interview. Everything so far has been a pleasure to read n the bus.
This weekend I found a cheap new copy of "Yes Yes Y'all", the oral history of the first ten years, put together by Charlie Ahearn of 'Wild Style' fame. That has the pictures and first-hand perspectives that really illuminate the first few chapters of 'Can't Stop Won't Stop". Reccomended.
Finally got around to this and I must say it's very comprehensive and (so far) a joy to read. Props to Chang and everyone else involved.
*THAT REAL SCHITT*
It, unfortunately, derails towards the end but that first third is incredible.
Shhhhh....I am only halfway thru it...Professor Griff just gave his infamous "jews=wickedness" interview. Everything so far has been a pleasure to read n the bus.
This weekend I found a cheap new copy of "Yes Yes Y'all", the oral history of the first ten years, put together by Charlie Ahearn of 'Wild Style' fame. That has the pictures and first-hand perspectives that really illuminate the first few chapters of 'Can't Stop Won't Stop". Reccomended.
"Can't Stop Won't Stop" was indeed great. I agree that Chang seems to go out of his way to stress the importance of hip-hop as an overtly political artform, but the depth and breadth of the book is quite impressive. It really reads like what it is: a book written by someone who loves and grew up in hip-hop (as opposed to most "hip-hop books" that are written by academics who are outside of hip-hop but still want to write about it).
it's not really chang's fault anyways. there was too much hip-hop by 1990 to cover.
I'm not sure that I can fully accept that logic, but regardless, my disappointment has less to do with the breadth of material covered in the bottom half (which, you're right, would be a tall order) than it does the relative lack of spirit with which the material gets addressed. I don't know if it was accidental (like, dude's enthusiasm just ran out) or deliberate (like, maybe he spent that first half working so hard to convey the energy of the music and the culture thinking that once he'd made that case for hip-hop's vitality up front, the abstract merits would be a given and he'd thus be able to focus on more concrete issues from there on out), but in either event, it made for a real lopsided read.
Comments
It, unfortunately, derails towards the end but that first third is incredible.
I bought it when it came out & I'm still going through it. Dude has a BLOG[/b] as well.
Now to find an affordable copy of 'It's Not About A Salary'...
The chapters on NY Gangs are ridiculous. I got less and less interested as the focus shifted towards the west coast, actually.
Word. You know, being the hattoire de rigeur that I am, I was ready for the gag reflex that I get when approached by "THAT REAL SCHITT"
Well, I thought the west coast stuff was worthwhile, too; I was referring more to the way that his agenda of likening organic youth movements of previous decades to present-day "hip-hop activism" (something I'm not convinced even exists) dominated the closing chapters.
So I take it you haven't read Bakari Kitwana's Why White Kids Love Hip Hop: Wangstas, Wiggers, Wannabes, and the New Reality of Race in America.
Unfortunately, I have read it. So much promise, in concept. So very
That dude is not really a writer I can get with at all.
Shhhhh....I am only halfway thru it...Professor Griff just gave his infamous "jews=wickedness" interview. Everything so far has been a pleasure to read n the bus.
This weekend I found a cheap new copy of "Yes Yes Y'all", the oral history of the first ten years, put together by Charlie Ahearn of 'Wild Style' fame. That has the pictures and first-hand perspectives that really illuminate the first few chapters of 'Can't Stop Won't Stop". Reccomended.
Yeah, that book is great.
-e
See how ya'll are?
Motherf**kers won't let me be positive!
hattin!
it's not really chang's fault anyways. there was too much hip-hop by 1990 to cover.
Not much left to add here, but I will say, I wholeheartedly endorse *THAT REAL SCHITT*.
The breadth of info dropped in the beginning alone was pretty
I also just got around to finishing this
The ending chapter with BDP and the Ultra section was incredible.
I'm not sure that I can fully accept that logic, but regardless, my disappointment has less to do with the breadth of material covered in the bottom half (which, you're right, would be a tall order) than it does the relative lack of spirit with which the material gets addressed. I don't know if it was accidental (like, dude's enthusiasm just ran out) or deliberate (like, maybe he spent that first half working so hard to convey the energy of the music and the culture thinking that once he'd made that case for hip-hop's vitality up front, the abstract merits would be a given and he'd thus be able to focus on more concrete issues from there on out), but in either event, it made for a real lopsided read.