Customer Reviews

The Rap Records 2004 Edition

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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!

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!...

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.

I have found the book an invaluable sourcebook as I hunt around old record stores for classic Sugarhill etc. The book covers the history of a genre on vinyl that I pretty much grew up with although filtered across the Atlantic. It lists everything from the well known to the obscure and has to have been a labor of love. The pictures of covers and labels are very helpful and I would have like more of these (maybe the next edition!). Freddy Fresh has done those enthusiasts of this style of music a huge service and I highly encourage you this is a must have. I picked mine up from Blue Note records in Miami.

A MUST FOR ANY RAP/HIP HOP OLD SCHOOL FAN/COLLECTOR. GREAT INSIGHT. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.