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Miyakawa, assistant professor of musicology at Middle Tennessee State University, offers "the first in-depth study of the Five Percent Nation," a fine study of the influential sect, an offshoot of the Nation of Islam. The Five Percent Nation counts Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu and members of Wu-Tang Clan as past or present members, and has spread its message through ideological rap/hip-hop music, known as "God Hop." With expressive writing and selective research, Miyakawa introduces the reader to a new world, where African-American rappers practice clean living, observe vegan lifestyles and seek to elevate their community through proud lyrics, exhorting youth to "civilize" themselves. Miyakawa explains the origins and religious beliefs of Five Percenters, including that modern black people are the descendants of an ancient, advanced "Moorish" civilization. The Five Percenters derive their name from the belief that 5% of all people are the "poor righteous teachers" who extol the "Black Man of Asia" as the "Living God[s]." Using her musicology background, Miyakawa explains the layered, dynamic and inventive compositions of God Hop music. She is quick to point out that Five Percenters are varied and difficult to categorize, which makes her work all the more admirable. Despite occasional dense writing, and a second-to-last chapter that lacks the intellectual punch of the others, Miyakawa has an infectious fondness for her controversial but stimulating subject. (June)
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Book Description
The Five Percent Nation is a controversial organization and a substantial cultural force. Also known as Five Percenters, this offshoot of the Nation of Islam has employed commercial rap, or "God Hop," to teach its beliefs, comment on relevant issues, and recruit new members. Rap artists such as Erykah Badu and Queen Latifah are past members of the Five Percent Nation; GURU and Wu-Tang Clan are currently affiliated.
Five Percenter Rap: God Hop’s Music, Message, and Black Muslim Mission examines the phenomenon from musical, historical, and cultural perspectives. Such a kaleidoscopic approach is necessary given the Five Percent Nation’s complex theology—grounded in Black Muslim traditions, black nationalism, Kemetic (ancient Egyptian) symbolism, Masonic mysticism, and Gnostic spirituality—its historical ties to major movements and moments in American history, and its deep involvement with popular culture.
After establishing the theological and historical underpinnings of Five Percenter Rap, Felicia Miyakawa considers its marketing approaches and its use of specific musical techniques such as sampling, groove, and layering (often in significant numerical groupings). These techniques, she argues, are in service to the greater goal of Five Percenter rappers, who see themselves primarily as teachers and as bringers of a specific type of redemption and self-knowledge to benighted souls.
Vividly written and solidly researched, Five Percenter Rap will appeal to readers interested in popular music, American music and history, and African American religion and culture.
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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