Encyclopedia of Rap and Hip Hop Culture

Hip Hop music is comprised of several art forms: 1) MC-ing or rapping 2)B-boying or breakdancing 3)Deejaying (music) and 4) Graffiti art (visual art). This encyclopedia examines all four elements of Hip Hop Culture providing students scholars and music fans with a complete history of the thirty-year music genre. Tracing its early roots from black DJs talking over music in the 1960s the B-boy dancers in the 1970s and the scratching and sampling techniques of the ''80s to the founding of Def Jam productions the current East Cost-West Coast rivalry and superstars such as Eminem and 50 Cent hip hop fans will find this an indispensable resource.This encyclopedia includes approximately 100 photographs discographies after each entry and a for further listening list at the end of the volume. Also included is the Hip Hop Declaration of Peace.