How to Rap: The Art and Science of the Hip-Hop MC [Paperback]

Paul Edwards (Author), Kool G Rap (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2009

Clipse, Cypress Hill, Nelly, Public Enemy, Remy Ma, Schoolly D, A Tribe Called Quest, will.i.am—these are just some of the acclaimed artists offering tips and advice in this compelling how-to. Delivering countless candid and exclusive first-person insights from interviews with more than one hundred of the most innovative artists, author Paul Edwards examines the dynamics of rap from every region and in every form--mainstream and underground, current and classic—and covers everything from content and flow to rhythm and delivery. A first-of-its-kind guide, How to Rap provides a wealth of insight and rapping lore that will benefit beginners and pros alike.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"How to Rap is classic in an art that is just coming into a definition of itself. Everyone who wants to go to the next level needs this book, it's the inside and outside of the trade." --Nikki Giovanni, poet and one of Oprah Winfrey's 25 Living Legends

"How to Rap marks a cultural coming-of-age for hip-hop -- the first comprehensive poetics of this new literary form" -- Dana Gioia, poet and former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts

"Filled with real tools and overflowing with inspiration... a good read even for nonartists interested in learning more about hip-hop creativity, personalities, and history, this offers insights into music and poetry... highly recommended" -- Library Journal

"The most incredible feature of How to Rap are bar notational charts that can be used to form your rhyme, flow, and more" -- On Wax Magazine

"Wanna learn how to be a super MC? In How to Rap over 100 rappers have offered their insight on the artform for aspiring wordsmiths" -- XXL Magazine

About the Author

Paul Edwards holds a master’s degree in postmodernism, literature, and contemporary culture from University of London and has done extensive research on rappers and their creative processes, musical theories, and lyrics.

 

Kool G Rap is one of the most influential MCs of all time, with Eminem, Jay-Z, Big Pun, R.A. the Rugged Man, and many others citing him among their influences. Frequently on “greatest MCs of all time” lists, he has appeared on tracks with numerous artists, including Eminem, Nas, AZ, Mobb Deep, Busta Rhymes, Big L, Ghostface Killah, and Canibus.

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press; Original edition (December 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556528167
• ISBN-13: 978-1556528163
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.7 x 5.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #18 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Musical Genres > Rap

More About the Author

Paul Edwards is the author of "How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC". He is a writer and a researcher of hip-hop who has interviewed more than 100 famous rappers.

He has been interviewed as a leading expert on hip-hop and rap by the Chicago Tribune, the New York Amsterdam News, Chuck D's New York radio show, Australia's Acclaim Magazine, UK's Echoes Magazine, Germany's HHV Magazine, HipHopDX, and Time Out Dubai, as well as being referred to as "the Aristotle of Hip-Hop poetics" by Dana Gioia (poet and former Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts).
He holds a master's degree in postmodernism, literature, and contemporary culture from the University of London.

"How to Rap" is the definitive guide to rapping, in the words of over 100 of the greatest MCs of all time. It also includes the first ever notational system for rap's "flow" and it was quoted from extensively throughout Yale's "Anthology of Rap".

Find out more about "How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC" at -
http://www.howtorapbook.com

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book July 15, 2010

By V. Brown

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

As an up and coming rapper, I didn't know what to think about the book but I wanted to improve myself and my music. This book is a must have for any new or established artist. It has a vast range of artist comments, guidance and input. It also breaks down the music theory of hip hop to instruct/guide artists and listeners to better understand the music. It's very detailed and thorough (even what may seem obvious). I'm dissecting it now and learning some new every page. I know that my music will go to the next level because of it. Buy it invest in yourself or just enjoy the artistry and science of hip hop.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow - Amazing October 12, 2010

By Antonio

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Wow!

I am someone who has always been moderately interested in rapping, but never really knew much about it. There are some songs and some artists that I absolutely love, but everything else I pay little attention to. I don't know very many artists names and am almost completely unaware of rap prior to about 1999.

On to the book. This book has taught me all of the intricate details that go on into imagining, creating, editing, and performing that I could have ever wanted. Every single page taught me something that I found worthwhile and often thought was incredible. Another amazing side-effect of this book is that I now have a huge appreciation for the hip hop community, and am amazed and inspired by many of the individuals. I am now aware or and appreciate tons of great artists of the past and present that I had know idea about before. I have now listened to 100's of tracks that I never would have before, and have learned how incredibly talented these artists truly are.

I highly recommend this book for anyone that is interested in the hip hop community, wants to appreciate the art form more, or who wants to learn how to rap.

And as others have mentioned, it seems that the only people that have given this book low reviews are "nobody" rappers who think that they are famous. There is nothing wrong with being a "nobody" rapper as that is what 99.99% of us will be, and it can still be fun and meaningful! Just don't pretend to be able to construct something better than this book.

45 of 57 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars This could have been great, and it was very lackluster. October 8, 2010

By David M. Sheldon

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Look, I am a professional rapper. I make my living doing it, and have for 10 years. I personally know a lot of the people in this book. I was actually very excited to read this book, and thought the potential was endless, especially with some of the artists selected.

The problem though, is some of the answers are so atrocious and uninformative that I began to feel sorry for the author for reasons he may not even understand. Why would you put all the effort (which was clearly a lot) into a book like this, only to have passages like these?:

"A lot of MC's do research before writing their lyrics. Some talk to friends or family as a way of research." Then, the first quote from a rapper to back up this statement and explain the "science" of talking to friends and family for rap research is from 40 Cal. And this is, verbatim, the entire quote:

40 Cal: I might ask a friend about a line.

Really? That's incredible! And no, there is no elaboration on that.

The book is full of very uninspired, pointless quotes from rappers, who never state anything more than the painfully obvious. And let's be real. Do we need to quote Omar Cruz every other page? Is Omar Cruz the master rap technician all the kids aspire to be like?

I'm just saying. The author could have based an entire 10 page chapter on Big Daddy Kane's entire unique approach. Instead, there are about 10 Big Daddy Kane quotes scattered around the book, and none of them are even remotely informative.

Pass on this book unless you are a 46 year old white secretary who is doing a parody rap for her boss on his birthday. If you know a single thing about rapping, or furthemore, LISTENING to rapping, you will gain nothing from this book.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive book on the subject... June 17, 2011

By ilovecolor

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book offers great insight on various views and directions for artists beginning, artists to brush up on knowledge, and artists looking to put it all together.

Now I'm not a professional but I would assume a professional would have little reason to buy a book like this unless they have not found them selves yet. This book is not a spoon feeder. It is more of a 4 COURSE meal. You choose at your own pace what you would like to eat and the order you would like to eat it. It offers great reference from many artists. Most are underground yet the important thing is that there are many avenues on the various components of rap. These are present. It doesn't give you worksheets, it instead provides views and points of views. These points of views are then perceived by the reader according to their understanding. The level of information is great depending on the ability of the reader to comprehend what is being read.

Truthfully just about everything covered in this book was something I already knew or did, but the fact that it was neatly laid out and organized was the key. Some people have to have some peace of mind when they write which can be achieved by understanding direction and options. This book can give peace of mind to rappers that excel in writing.

I have recommended it to my friends and have seen fast improvement.
This is the definitive book on the subject.