Hip Hop Raised Me®

'It's a hip-hop bible' Ghostface Killah, Wutang Clan

In Hip Hop Raised Me.® , DJ Semtex examines the crucial role of hip-hop in society today, and reflects on the huge influence it has had on his own life, and the lives of many others, filling in the gaps of education that school left behind, providing inspiration and purpose to generation after generation of disaffected youths. Taking a thematic approach and featuring seminal interviews he has conducted with key hip-hop artists, Semtex traces the characteristics and influence of hip-hop from its origins in the early 1970s with DJ Kool Herc's Block parties in the South Bronx, through its breakthrough to the mainstream and advent of gangsta rap in the late 1980s, with artists such as Run DMC, Public Enemy and Ice T, to the impact of contemporary artists and the global industry that is hip-hop today. Hip-hop artists have gone from hustlers to successful entrepreneurs and businessmen. Hip-hop has come of age.

“Well-written and engaging...The pictures alone are worth the price of entry for this weighty coffee table book [that's] the perfect Christmas gift for any hip-hop loving friends or family. If you love hip-hop, you'll love this-whatever era you come from! -- LitViral A delightful and comprehensive study of hip-hop [and] a far-reaching analysis of the music and culture. A visual treasure trove...this volume contains over 1,000 photographs, many printed here for the first time. A historical feast, it will be treasured by longtime fans and consulted by interested newcomers. -- Library Journal Unlike many hip hop books that embrace the patchwork aesthetic of fanzines, this volume treats the genre with a certain graphic elegance and scholarly heft. Text blocks range from historic timelines to in-depth pieces on major stars--Tupac Shakur, N.W.A., Jay-Z, Eminem, Nicki Minaj--while the images alternate between somber portraits, landmark album covers, and edgy memorabilia. At 450 pages, this is the reference book on the genre. -- American Photo”

'DJ Semtex has nailed this' - Goldie
'This book is worth bread' - Raekwon
'This is an Illmatic book … a hip-hop bible' - Ghostface Killah
'Amazing – buying immediately' - Chase & Status
'This is a time capsule' - DJ Green Lantern
'The pictures tell a thousand words' - Salaam Remi
'Big up DJ Semtex' - Rag ’N’ Bone Man

DJ Semtex hosts the UK’s premiere hip-hop show on BBC Radio 1Xtra every Friday, and is currently the Director of Artist Development at Sony Music.

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