Hip-hop music not only gave birth to new directions in American culture, it also reformulated cultural journalism. In this collection of 29 articles and essays, editor Cepeda chronicles the growth of hip-hop music and journalism. The collection (which includes contributions by Nelson George, Cheo Hodari Coker, Joan Morgan, Toure, and Greg Tate) begins by chronicling the early days of hip-hop culture in the South Bronx when break-dancers, graffiti artists, and deejays contributed to the atmospherics. The collection also examines the essential role of these writers (and their publications, including
Vibe and
Rap Sheet) in explaining and popularizing hip-hop, the strained relationships between writers and artists, the conflicts, and the occasional crossover. The book is divided into decades: the 1980s examines early efforts to report on hip-hop; the 1990s, when hip-hop journalism shifted to critical analysis while mainstream reporting focused on the "Benjamins"; and the 2000s, with widespread use of hip-hop music and images in everything from fashion to fast-food jingles. This is an important look at an energetic, inventive culture and the writers who have covered it.
Vanessa BushCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
"Hip Hop is the voice of the communtity and its child, Hip Hop journalism, adds a new element to the mix in another medium that goes way beyond the music industry to become a true organ of news. And It Don’t Stop is essential reading. It captures the extraordinary eruptions of word, image and sound that Hip Hop inspired and, in itself, continues the process of self-definition and community empowerment that has characterized the movement from the earliest days to the present. Raquel Cepeda knew how to pick them. The articles she has chosen are a distillation of the significant events, personalities, conflicts and philosophies that together shape the revolutionary impact of Hip Hop on the world." --Henry Chalfant, co-author of Spray Can Art
"An irresistible compilation of the most stylish prose and revelatory interviews of the last twenty-five years on Hip Hop, And It Don't Stop is required reading for any serious devotee of contemporary urban culture. Raquel Cepeda places Hip Hop journalism in a historical framework: we not only discover how writing styles have changed over the years, but we also learn how the stakes in writing about Hip Hop have transformed alongside the music and culture. It's a glorious reminder of how influential journalists have been, and continue to be, in helping to shape and create this thing we call Hip Hop." --Jason King, Associate Chair, The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music, New York University
"And It Don't Stop is long overdue. Boom! Like powerful shots from the cannon. Rock shocking, in the place to be! The writers in this collection, like Kierna Mayo, dream hampton, Raquel Cepeda, Bill Adler, and Sacha Jenkins are some of the most brilliant writers--hip hop or not--of the last twenty-five years. I welcome this book." -- Bobbito Garcia, DJ, basketball performer, author of Where D'You Get Those? New York City's Sneaker Culture: 1960-1987
"Raquel Cepeda has finally done justice to the mother-wit, social power, and visceral passion of hip-hop journalism. Here's an indispensable collection of pioneering, bold, visionary and cautionary writing, a must-have for anyone who loves this culture." --Jeff Chang, author Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation
"At their best, popular culture journalists give us an insightful, ground-level, up-close view. That’s what we’ve got here. This is some of the best journalism on hip hop over the past 25 years--a valuable collection for hip hop students, fans and nostalgic observers alike." --Tricia Rose, author of Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America
"Once in a while a book comes along that commands attention. And It Don't Stop is hip hop defined by its generations' best writers and observers, an absolute must have--definite satisfaction" --Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, The Roots
"And It Don't Stop features snapshots of some of hip hop's finest moments by the generation's greatest thinkers. Raquel Cepeda did an excellent job at framing it like it was and is. This is a must-have for those who have defined as well as those who are curious about the culture." --Russell Simmons, producer, activist, founder of Def Jam Records
"Whatever one's feelings about 'hip hop nation,' it certainly has given rise to vibrant journalism. Thanks to Raquel Cepeda for collecting it in this important new book." --Henry Louis Gates, Jr
