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The Gospel of Hip Hop: The First Instrument
 
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The Gospel of Hip Hop: The First Instrument [Hardcover]

KRS-One (Author)
3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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Book Description

October 24, 2009
The Gospel of Hip Hop: First Instrument, the first book from the I Am Hip Hop, is the philosophical masterwork of KRS ONE. Set in the format of the Christian Bible, this 800-plus-page opus is a life-guide manual for members of Hip Hop Kulture that combines classic philosophy with faith and practical knowledge for a fascinating, in-depth exploration of Hip Hop as a life path. Known as “The Teacha,” KRS ONE developed his unique outlook as a homeless teen in Brooklyn, New York, engaging his philosophy of self-creation to become one of the most respected emcees in Hip Hop history. Respected as Hip Hop’s true steward, KRS ONE painstakingly details the development of the culture and the ways in which we, as “Hiphoppas,” can and should preserve its future.

"The Teacha" also discusses the origination of Hip Hop Kulture and relays specific instances in history wherein one can discover the same spirit and ideas that are at the core of Hip Hop’s current manifestation. He explains Hip Hop down to the actual meaning and linguistic history of the words “hip” and “hop,” and describes the ways in which "Hiphoppas" can change their current circumstances to create a future that incorporates Health, Love, Awareness, and Wealth (H-LAW).

Committed to fervently promoting self-reliance, dedicated study, peace, unity, and truth, The "Teacha" has drawn both criticism and worship from within and from outside of Hip Hop Kulture. In this beautifully written, inspiring book, KRS ONE shines the light of truth, from his own empirical research over a 14-year period, into the fascinating world of Hip Hop.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

KRS ONE is a philosopher, activist, author, lecturer, and emcee. Since founding canonical Hip Hop act Boogie Down Productions in the mid-1980s, he has released a granite-solid catalog of 19 full-length albums, along with a star-studded list of collaborations. In 1988 he founded the Stop the Violence Movement, a collective of artists, activists, educators, and entertainers exploring the roots of violence while working to promote the development of positive conflict resolution methods; he is currently producing an album celebrating the organization’s 20th anniversary, with contributions by Nelly, Method Man, Busta Rhymes, The Game, Hakiem Green, Grant Parks, Duane “Da Rock” Ramos, and many others. KRS ONE is an accomplished public speaker who has delivered lectures at over 500 colleges, universities, and other venues. In addition to The Gospel of Hip Hop, he is the author of The Science of Rap (1995) and Ruminations (Welcome Rain, 2003). Currently, KRS-One is touring the United States with Stop the Violence, urging America’s urban centers to seek non-violent conflict resolution over revenge and war.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 832 pages
  • Publisher: powerHouse Books (October 24, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1576874974
  • ISBN-13: 978-1576874974
  • Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1.4 x 8.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,977 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
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4 star:
 (1)
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Average Customer Review
3.6 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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41 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars Scary, July 27, 2010
This review is from: The Gospel of Hip Hop: The First Instrument (Hardcover)
I knew beforehand that this was set out kinda like a Bible, but I thought that was just going to be the format/cover idea.
But this is actually trying to be a real Bible.

It's basically lots of rambling about how God created hip-hop and how the hip-hop God is going to save us all and how you have to follow the word of KRS in order to reach salvation and create a hip-hop spiritual nation. It's separated into paragraphs with numbers, so you can refer to the kind of "verses" of this Bible, but other than that there is very little structure.


KRS sets himself up as a kind of messiah figure. He believes it was God and divine intervention that sent him to the Bronx as a child to become an MC, and that he is hip-hop's salvation and savior, and that the Gospel of Hip Hop is a gift bestowed on readers so that they can find the truth.

Here are some choice quotes, directly from the book -

"The question we are dealing with here is how do we know if it was God that has rescued us? The quick answer is because I just told you so, and if you join with me in faith you too can become heir to this New Covenant".

"In my time (your past) I am called teacha; I was present at the first time. I am the first born. I am from the Age of Leo... I was present at the beginning of this World Age, August 11, 3114 B.C., and I was again present at the births and transformations of Hip Hop".

"It was this Word that showed me where to sleep, how to eat, and when to study.
This is how I became The Teacha; I heard the Voice of God and followed it... I am the step-father and legal guardian of Hip Hop. This I confirm to those truth-seeking Hip Hop scholars in my future".

"This gospel comes to us as the physical manifestation of God's grace and love for Hip Hop".

"Approaching Kool Herc (the Father) historically as simply a DJ is like approaching Jesus (the Christ) historically as simply a carpenter."


He has also created a set of 365 daily affirmations, one for each day of the year and most involving God, if you wish to be totally brainwashed from day to day.

I can see why there is no "Search Inside" function on amazon for this book... the publishers probably want you to think this is some sort of history of hip-hop, rather than a bizarre religious cult sort of book. Letting you see any of the pages beforehand would make it pretty clear this is actually trying to be some sort of religious indoctrination.


While it's easy for me or anyone with functioning critical faculties to see this as quite a funny look inside the insane, warped mind of KRS-One, it's actually kind of scary to think that younger, more impressionable readers (particularly younger fans of KRS's music), may actually take all this to heart and get sucked into his odd cult.

So for that reason -- that it may actually influence and distort the thinking of some people -- I have to give the book one star.
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8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars And I Know Becuz of KRS One, January 6, 2010
This review is from: The Gospel of Hip Hop: The First Instrument (Hardcover)
KRS has done more for Hip Hop than probably anyone. This book is an attempt to describe where the culture comes from and where it is headed. It discusses the religous, occult, and mystical aspects of Hip Hop as a culture...much more than just music. In fact the music isn't really even mentioned much. The main point KRS stresses is that Hip Hop is born out of LOVE. He preaches love and peace in place of the materialistic hedonism that "rap music" is becoming. He wants peaceful revolution like Martin Luther King, whom he calls Hip Hop's King.

KRS is effectively creating a religion or "cult"(aren't all religions cults?) but he does stress the point that this new religion will encompass all religions which is kind of anti-organized religion I think. Although he does come off a little dogmatic (especially when talking about his TEMPLE OF HIP HOP) at times, he IS genuinely trying to help people in a meaningful way which I don't think should ever be perceived as wrong...Blasphemy Schmasphemy, God is everywhere.

"And we don't wanna pay no money fee to hear the same old sound, watch and we'll take Hip Hop to a higher ground"

EFF the Haters, long live the Blastmasta
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Lightyears, March 19, 2011
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This review is from: The Gospel of Hip Hop: The First Instrument (Hardcover)
I mean really how could anyone refute the idea expressed within this classic book. KRS is lightyears ahead of all of these supposed emcees.. Incredible vision on Hiphop and the power of the Kulture of Hiphop.
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