Rap Books

The Way I Am

Eminem

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

For the first time, one of music’s most popular—and headline-making—rap artists shares his private reflections, drawings, handwritten lyrics, and never-before-seen photographs.

Fiercely intelligent, relentlessly provocative, and prodigiously gifted, Eminem is known as much for his enigmatic persona as for being the fastest-selling rap artist and the first rapper to ever win an Oscar. Now, in The Way I Am, he shares his private thoughts on everything from his inner struggles, to the trials of being famous, to his love for his daughter, Hailie, creating a book that is every bit as raw and uncensored as the man himself.

Illustrated with never-before-seen photographs of Eminem’s home and life along with original drawings, The Way I Am is filled with reflections on his greatest hits, previously unpublished lyric sheets, and other rare memorabilia. Providing his millions of fans with a personal tour of Eminem’s creative process, it is poised to be hailed in much the same way as Tupac’s The Rose that Grew from Concrete, Bob Dylan’s Chronicles, and Journals by Kurt Cobain.

Confessions of a Video Vixen

Karrine Steffans

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 462 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Videos Can Have Her Readers Don't Want Her 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I am not sure where to start on this one. This book was a recommendation from a friend and as an avid reader I tried it on for size. Well, It took me one day to read it becasue I refused to waste another. I can never start a book and then stop, so I had to finish it, but believe me when I tell you, it had nothing to do with the story. I think that Ms. Steffans has some soul searching to do. I was hoping (praying) that redemption was somewhere between the covers, but I was disappointed. I think that Ms. Steffans is a master hustler. I don't hate the player, nor do I hate the game in this case. What I hate is the story and the fact that she simply took the oldest profession in the world and tried to sell it to readers as though it was something new. Karrine, I'm not mad at you girl. If those men let you use them like that then they each deserve what they got. I can't believe that men as innovative and successful as Jay-Z and Puffy would even have anything to do with the likes of you, but then again; they are men, so it is what it is.

Editorial Review:

An instant bestseller upon publication, Confessions of a Video Vixen is the page-turning memoir of Karrine Steffans: dancer, actress, and companion to many a celebrity. But more than a glimpse at what happens in the boardrooms and bedrooms of hip hop's A list, Confessions of a Video Vixen is also the first true account of how women are treated in the music industry, and its honest, direct revelations have generated debates and controversy across the country.

By sharing her story, Steffans hopes to shed light on an otherwise romanticized industry and help young women avoid the same pitfalls she encountered--and if they're already in danger, she hopes to inspire them to find a way to pull themselves out of what she knows firsthand to be a cycle of hopelessness and despair.

Let's Talk About Pep

Sandy Denton

Amazon Price: $16.29 List Price: $23.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: VH1 Amazon Marketplace: 44 new & used starting at $12.90

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

She's the spiciest ingredient in the legendary rap group Salt-N-Pepa, and the outspoken star of VH1's smash-hit reality show. She's Sandy "Pepa" Denton -- and she's never at a loss for words. Now, in her first tell-all book, Pepa talks about sex, music, life, love, fame, and so much more....

"Most of you know me as Pep, or Pepa, the fun-loving half of Salt-N-Pepa. I am the party girl, the one who is down for whatever. But behind the laughs and the smiles is a whole lot of pain."

Funny, fearless, and full of life, Sandy "Pepa" Denton is a pop culture icon whose remarkable story is every bit as captivating and provocative as her Grammy Award-winning music. This is the real Pepa -- upfront, uncensored, unstoppable -- and these are the memoirs of a true pioneer, fighter, survivor, and inspiration to women everywhere.

For the first time, Pepa talks about:

• Her troubled childhood
• Surviving abuse
• Her first encounters with Cheryl "Salt" James
• Salt-N-Pepa's instant success
• Her failed marriages and her escape from domestic abuse
• Her "breakup" with Salt and their eventual "reunion"
• Her triumphant comeback on the VH1 reality shows The Surreal Life, Fame Games, and The Salt-N-Pepa Show

Filled with surprising insights, outrageous anecdotes, and celebrity cameos -- including Queen Latifah, Martin Lawrence, Janice Dickinson, Omarosa, Missy Elliott, L.L. Cool J, supermodel Caprice, Ron Jeremy, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez, "Spinderella," and many others -- Let's Talk About Pep offers a fascinating glimpse behind the fame, family, failures, and successes of celebrity...and into the faithful heart of a woman who will always value the good friends she found along the way. In the words of Sandy "Pepa" Denton, "there's no walking away from that."

The Rose That Grew From Concrete

Tupac Shakur

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 184 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Alive In More Ways Than One!!! 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Through music and acting, Tupac will be with us always. But leaving something behind for remembrance is the reason so many poets capture their thoughts, so that their words will live long after they are gone. That is the case here and something he was able to for see captured in the poem, "In The Event Of My Demise." What I was most struck by is, so many of the poems in this book show a side of Tupac that wasn't his public persona. Making it a must for his true fans. He's philosophical, sensitive, at times angry but what perhaps a lot of us didn't see, loving and caring in a romantic way. I was struck by some of the things he chose to write about. Marilyn Monroe receives a very touching tribute relating to her rise and demise. Nelson Mandela's imprisonment, and later release and one he called, "Sometimes I Cry." Which ends with lines that we should all be able to relate to;

The world moves fast and it would rather pass u by
than 2 stop and c what makes u cry
It's painful and sad and sometimes I cry
and no one cares about why.

I've seen a few negative reviews here that seem to think this wasn't a great book, but I am looking at it perhaps from a different perspective... He wrote all this in a life span of 25 years... (19 years if I understand where these writings came from). And for me not only did I "Get" a lot of the things he was addressing, but it came across in a conversational tone. Not the first time, but the most recent time I read it. Which is another thing about poetry. Read it, walk away, read the same thing again, and you might see something completely different than what you saw initially. Some of his messages are straight forward, some are subtle but it is clear to me, with these earlier writings why he was able to eventually receive such world wide adoration. Some of what he wasn't really showing publicly must have been coming through in ways not readily visible to most initially. But that you will see in this revealing book of who Tupac really was.

A young heart with an old soul (A line from his poem), "In the Depths of Solitude"

He really felt he was two people as he refers to it in the same poem;

"This Duo within me causes
the perfect opportunity
2 learn and live twice as fast
as those who accept simplicity"

Highly recommend, both for content and a deeper glimpse into the man he was and the legend he managed to become.

Your Chance to Hear The Last Panther Speak

Editorial Review:

His talent was unbounded, a raw force that commanded attention and respect.

His death was tragic -- a violent homage to the power of his voice.

His legacy is indomitable -- remaining vibrant and alive.

Here now, newly discovered, are Tupac's most honest and intimate thoughts conveyed through the pure art of poetry -- a mirror into his enigmatic life and its many contradictions.

Written in his own hand at the age of nineteen, they embrace his spirit, his energy...and his ultimate message of hope.

The Wu-Tang Manual: Enter the 36 Chambers, Volume One

The RZA, Chris Norris

Amazon Price: $10.88 List Price: $16.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Riverhead Trade Amazon Marketplace: 49 new & used starting at $7.95

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 29 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Long awaited and much anticipated, The Wu-Tang Manual is The RZA's first written introduction to the philosophy and history of Hip-Hop's original Dynasty, the Wu-Tang Clan.

Since the release of the revolutionary Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) - over the course of four seminal group albums and a multitude of ambitious side projects - the Wu-Tang Clan has constantly redefined what hip-hop can do and where hip-hop can go. Now, after a decade of dark beats and mysterious lyrics hinting at a larger whole, the RZA, the abbot of the legendary Staten Island hip-hop collective, fully reveals, for the first time, the complex, multilayered Wu-Tang Universe in The Wu-Tang Manual.

Written in a style that is at once personal and philosophical, The Wu-Tang Manual unravels the intricate web of personalities (and alter egos), warrior codes, numerological systems, and Eastern spiritual ethics that define the Wu-Tang dynasty. Packed with information that reflects the breadth and depth of the RZA's - and rest of the Clan's - intellectual interests and passions, The Wu-Tang Manual is divided into four books of nine chambers each, for a total of 36 chambers. All together, the book provides the breakdown of essential Wu-Tang components, from basic information about each of the nine core members of Wu-Tang Clan to deeper explorations of the key themes of the Wu-Tang universe, a dictionary-like Wu-Slang lexicon, and an entire section of lyrics with densely annotated explanations of what they mean.

Elegantly laid-out and richly printed, the book is designed to reflect the Asian influence on the Wu-Tang universe, which, as the book explains, began with a fascination with kung-fu movies but quickly led to serious study of martial arts and Eastern philosophy and spirituality. The Book also includes a map of Shaolin; a trove of never-before-seen photos of the Wu-Tang Clan, including shots of RZA's trip to China with Sifu Shi Yan-Ming, live shots, and portraits-by Michael Lavine, Craig Wetherby, Sophia Chang, and Frank151; and original illustrations of many of the guiding lights of the Wu-Tang universe.

For the hardcore Wu-Tang disciple and the recent initiate alike, The Wu-Tang Manual is the definitive guide to the essence of Wu, one of the most innovative hip-hop groups of all time.

Angry Blonde

Eminem

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: HarperEntertainment Amazon Marketplace: 67 new & used starting at $2.52

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 73 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Today's hottest rapper' the enigmatic Eminem' delivers a provocative collection of his uncensored lyrics, complete with personal commentary on each controversial song.

• Angry Blonde is the only official Eminem book on the market, done with the complete authorisation and support of the rap superstar.

• Eminem is a multi–platinum recording artist whose albums The Slim Shady LP and The Marshall Mathers LP have sold nearly nine million copies combined.

• Eminem's most recent release, The Marshall Mathers LP, made music history as the fastest–selling album from a solo act in Billboard history' it sold 1.76 million copies in its first week and has netted 6 million copies to date.

  ● Entertainment Weekly called The Marshall Mathers LP "The first great pop record of the 21st Century."

• Eminem is everywhere. His face has graced the covers of Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and Spin, among other magazines; he has a Pay–Per–View special slated for Christmas 2000; and he will be performing at the MTV Video Music Awards this September.

• Eminem's personal life is also garnering him a lot of media attention: he's currently being sued for defamation of character by his mother and faces two separate assault charges.

• Along with his controversial lyrics and Eminem's own commentary on them, Angry Blonde will feature never–before–published photos.

Hiding in Hip Hop: On the Down Low in the Entertainment Industry--from Music to Hollywood

Terrance Dean

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 40 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

This Hot and Cold Hip Hop Life 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Whew!! Just finished the book. I loved it and hated it--just like Terrance felt about the gay or down-low life. On one page he can't wait to get his hands on a guy, and on the next page he's self loathing in agony. One moment he's praising God and attending church, and on the next page he's drinking and doing drugs like there's no tomorrow. In one chapter he can't stand his mother and resents her, and then when she dies he's devastated. I couldn't keep up with him. An emotional roller coaster, if such was even the case. I think this book was written to be dramatical. I've never read about a guy that would supposedly get sick to his stomach when going into a gay bar--but then half an hour later was taking the best looking guy in the place home with him. Fortunately, he FINALLY in the last pages comes to terms with his homosexuality, admits it, and goes happily into the sunset.

He also makes it seem like the music industry and in particular the hip hop world is FULL of down-low men, which could be true, I do not know. There seems to be a lot of stepping over the sexual boundaries these days. I don't see how he got any work done, but I also don't see how all these supposed down-low guys were able to stay so down-low if they were always going to parties. Wouldn't somebody talk or spill the beans somewhere along the way?? I think he told it all the way he wanted to tell it. Which is more than anyone else has done---so I really did like the book. It excited me with all his conquests, just wished it had been a little bit meatier. But then they all wouldn't be down-low. And with all that sex, he never once mentioned getting a STD which you know HAD to have happened. Terrance never did say whether he enjoyed it all, but I think he did. His will power was pretty non existant, bless his heart.

Editorial Review:

Everyone wants to know the truth about their favorite celebrities' heart's desire. Within the masculine culture of Hip Hop and Hollywood, there is a well-known gay subculture that industry insiders are keenly aware of but choose to hide. Terrance Dean worked his way up for more than ten years in the entertainment industry from intern to executive, and has lived the life of glitz and bling along with Hollywood and Hip Hop's most glamorous. With a family full of secrets and working in an industry founded on maleness -- where one's job, friendships, and reputation all depend on remaining on the down low and in hiding -- Dean writes a revealing account of the journey of coming out from hiding.

Full of startling anecdotes and incredible true stories, Hiding in Hip Hop is not a traditional tell-all. A personal and poignant memoir, it is also one of the most provocative and honest looks at stardom and sexuality.

The Hip Hop Wars: What We Talk About When We Talk About Hip Hop--and Why It Matters

Tricia Rose

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Editorial Review:

Hip-hop is in crisis. For the past dozen years, the most commercially successful hip-hop has become increasingly saturated with caricatures of black gangstas, thugs, pimps, and ’hos. The controversy surrounding hip-hop is worth attending to and examining with a critical eye because, as scholar and cultural critic Tricia Rose argues, hip-hop has become a primary means by which we talk about race in the United States.

In The Hip-Hop Wars, Rose explores the most crucial issues underlying the polarized claims on each side of the debate: Does hip-hop cause violence, or merely reflect a violent ghetto culture? Is hip-hop sexist, or are its detractors simply anti-sex? Does the portrayal of black culture in hip-hop undermine black advancement?

A potent exploration of a divisive and important subject, The Hip-Hop Wars concludes with a call for the regalvanization of the progressive and creative heart of hip-hop. What Rose calls for is not a sanitized vision of the form, but one that more accurately reflects a much richer space of culture, politics, anger, and yes, sex, than the current ubiquitous images in sound and video currently provide.

The Best Praise and Worship Songs Ever (Easy Piano)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great (even for guitar) 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I originally bought this as a gift for my wife who plays piano. I can play easy piano, but I am also learning guitar. I found that it has simple enough keys that I can either play them straight or transpose them to play and sing.

It has a good selection of Praise and Worship songs over the last 25-30 years. If you like this, you might also consider the Best Hymns and Best Contemporary Christian books in this easy piano series. I think the Hymns book is about the same, or easier than this book. I haven't bought the Cont. Christian Songs book (yet) because it looks a little harder.

The print is large, easy to read. Excellent for young and old alike. I ordered this sight unseen and was very pleased with the purchase.

Editorial Review:

The name says it all: over 70 of the best PandW songs today. Titles include: Awesome God * Blessed Be Your Name * Come, Now Is the Time to Worship * Days of Elijah * Here I Am to Worship * Open the Eyes of My Heart * Shout to the Lord * We Fall Down * and more.

The Dead Emcee Scrolls: The Lost Teachings of Hip-Hop

Saul Williams

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Hip Hop and Poetry 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 6 people found this review helpful.

I first heard about this book on a message board (I think it was the one from DaveyD.com) and I really enjoyed reading the publisher's excerpt, and it was just the introduction. With it, I didn't know how to take it. Whether it was truth or just a very well worded story from Saul Williams. Either way, I could feel the vibe of Hiphop Kulture coming from it. So of course, I went out and bought it.

I was blown away.

I first heard of Saul from the book ", said the Shotgun to the Head." So I already thought I knew what to expect. But I was completly blown away by the deepness of these poems. Whether really taken from a strange manuscript in an old spray can or just a way to publish his own poems about Hiphop's preservation of love, peace, and unity, this was great. I recommend it for anyone who like poetry, spoken word, rap music, or just books. Very good.

Editorial Review:

In the underground labyrinths of New York City's subway system, beneath the third rail of a long forgotten line, Saul Williams discovered scrolls of aged yellowish-brown paper rolled tightly into a can of spray paint. His quest to decipher this mystical ancient text resulted in a primal understanding of the power hip-hop has to teach us about ourselves and the universe around us.

Now, for the first time, Saul Williams shares with the world the wonder revealed to him by the Dead Emcee Scrolls.

I have paraded as a poet for years now. In the process of parading I may have actually become one, but that's another story, another book. This book is a book that I have been waiting to finish since 1995. This is the book that finished me. The story I am about to tell may sound fantastic. It may anger some of you who have followed my work. You may feel that you have come to know me over the years, and in some cases you have, but in others...well, this is a confession.