Born in the Bronx: A Visual Record of the Early Days of Hip Hop (Hardcover)

~ Johan Kugelberg (Author), Joe Conzo (Photographer), Afrika Bambaataa (Foreword), Buddy Esquire (Contributor), Jeff Chang (Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Born in the Bronx is a fascinating chronicle of the early days when the beats were more important than the bling." -- Nov 2007 FILTER MAGAZINE

"Born in the Bronx takes it back to 1977, when NYC shutterbug Joe Conzo began snapping urgent, candid pictures of local shows, where a revolutionary new sound could be heard." -- Nov 2007 **ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

"tells the story of hip-hop's pre-80s "baby steps" through the work of photographer Joe Conzo and party flyer-designer Buddy Esquire...edited, curiously, by punk historian Johan Kugelberg..." -- XLR8R Sept 2007

"And before you put away your cardboard breakdancing mat, you might want to pick up Born in the Bronx: A Visual Record of the Early Days of Hip-Hop, a new book edited by Johan Kugelberg and featuring photos by hip-hop chronicler Joe Conzo, as well as a wealth of info from the era, from flyers by Buddy Esquire to essays from folks who were there." -- Nov 07 *E! ONLINE

"Through Conzo' lens, hip hop was about style, new voices, and most importantly, getting into the club for free." -- Oct 07 FADER MAGAZINE

Product Description

Hip hop first became a part of the mainstream music industry in the early 1980s, when major record labels released albums from such accessible groups as Run DMC and the Sugarhill Gang. But the true origins of one of the most powerful pop-cultural influences in the world are in the spontaneous, progressive musical culture that grew out of tough Bronx neighborhoods of the 1970s and led to a renaissance of poetry, music, and fashion.Through years of research, writer and curator Johan Kugelberg has pulled together the scattered remains of a movement that never had its eye on posterity. The book includes the improvisational artwork of previously unpublished street flyers of the era, Polaroids buried for decades in basements across the Bronx, and testimonials from influential figures such as Tony Tone, LA Sunshine, and Charlie Chase. Through the work of pioneering hip-hop photographer Jow Conzo–the man The New York Times calls “the chronicler who took hip hop’s baby pictures”–Born in the Bronx presents a unique introduction to an explosive and experimental period in music history.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Universe (November 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789315408
• ISBN-13: 978-0789315403
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #545,378 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars flyers and photos from the era, April 14, 2008

By	William D. Tompkins (New York, New York USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The best part of this book is the way is was edited. The flyers are cool and the text is ok. The photos are so-so--more valued because they are a record of--not a collection of great images. If you're a fan of hip-hop--this is it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Old School True School, December 27, 2007

By	William T. Bryant "Aging B-Boy" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is very similar in content as " Yes Yes Y'all" especially the pictures within the book. The next best thing to time travel to the Boogie Down Bronx to see hip hop's genesis.

2.0 out of 5 stars Born in the Bronx:A visual Record of the Early Days of Hip Hop, October 5, 2009

By	Edward Pabellon (Bronx NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Its not what i expected but if you like hip hop then you would enjoy the book