The Rap Records 2004 Edition [Paperback]

Freddy Fresh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2004

First book in the world to detail the independent record labels that released rap music from 1979 to 1989. Details the record companies, and lists the catalogue numbers of each phono record (maxi 12 singles) and the date manufactured and rates it based on rarity. (Some of these records have sold for over $2,000 recently on ebay etc..) Details the record labels alphabetically. Author Freddy Fresh is an artist and world renowned dance music producer who travelled to over 30 countries to research this book. Won the Award for Excellence in Historical Sound Research and has been given rave reviews in the New York Times, Record Collector, Vibe, The Source, Village Voice etc..

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Nerby Publishing LLC (February 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974815306
• ISBN-13: 978-0974815305
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,276,371 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible!!, November 23, 2005

By 

G. Carr "Shorty G" (Jamaica, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rap Records 2004 Edition (Paperback)

This book is beyond belief! Anyone who considers themself an old-school hip-hop head HAS to have this. Just in flipping through the pages I am amazed at the detail of all the information presented. Case in point, I was part of a group that made a record back in 1983. I totally lost track of not only the record, but the rest of the guys in the group( Rickey G & the Everloving 5). I have searched all over the internet, ebay.. everywhere I could think of and I never found any information about this record. Yet here it's not only listed, but the actual Label from the record is shown as well. In addition the comments mention that it was Rahzel's (from the Roots) first record. How could he have known that??? Incredible!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is one of a kind..., November 6, 2004

By 

The Yonx "majdi51" (Yonkers, New York United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rap Records 2004 Edition (Paperback)

I love this book... I always knew there were alot of independent hip-hop records in the 80's but when I read this book and saw all the detailed and numerous listings it was like someone had punch me in the face...wow! I never expected it to be this much... Freddy Fresh deserves much respect for preserving this invaluable info and keeping old school hip-hop alive!...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No die-hard hip-hop enthusiast can ignore this masterpiece., April 16, 2004

By 

LastAngelofHistory.org (Detroit, MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rap Records 2004 Edition (Paperback)

Freddie Fresh's photo appears on the inner sleeve of Boogie Down Productions' first album, so he's no new jack. This latest revision of his invaluable book defies all expectations. The attention to detail and the uncovering of lost classics on impossibly obscure labels, some of which existed to release a single 12", is a labor of love. It is impossible to withold admiration for someone who actually cares profoundly about the *history* of hip-hop. Not only did this book require the patience of a saint to assemble (witness the hundreds of inner label scans/photos), but it also brings to light how easily the complex histories of African-American musical culture might be lost altogether. Freddie is one person who will simply not allow that to happen. A book of staggering proportions *and* one that will be of interest even to those who aren't hip-hop heads given its exploration of the minutiae of an art form that has altered American life from the late 20th century onwards.