Rapper autobiography books

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Hip-hop memoirs

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Questlove on hip-hop, history and the first time he heard 'Rapper's Delight'

TERRY GROSS, HOST:

This is FRESH AIR. I'm TERRY GROSS. My guest, Ahmir Questlove Thompson, is always involved in multiple projects, which is good for our show because it keeps providing opportunities to have Questlove back on. Today's occasion is the publication of his new book, "Hip-Hop Is History." It's written from his perspective as a band leader, obsessive fan and historian of the music. He's the co-founder of the hip-hop band The Roots, which is the house band for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." He's won six Grammys. Last year at the Grammys, in honor of hip-hop's 50th anniversary, he produced a 13-minute tribute segment. Sounds like a great gig, but there were a couple of cancellations at the very last minute, literally. He'll tell us how he got through that crisis.

Questlove won an Oscar for his film "Summer Of Soul," documenting the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, featuring footage of live performances, including by Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Nina Simone

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80s-90s Hip Hop: A Survival Guide, Pt. 1

Let's get to it, fam.

Boogie Down Productions, formed in 1985 in South Bronx, NY, was the brainchild of rapper KRS-One, rapper D-Nice, and DJ Scott La Rock, who was murdered in 1987, shortly after the release of the group’s debut Criminal Minded. Criminal Minded came to be respected as one of the greatest albums of all time (“OF ALL TIME!!!” – Kanye West) in any genre, and features a broad use of samples, from dancehall reggae to AC/DC. The song “South Bronx” is another diss track (recall our discussion of “The Bridge is Over”) aimed at rival rapper MC Shan and group The Juice Crew, presented to and popularized by DJ Red Alert, a famous NY radio DJ who put BDP on the map. I’ve included two links for you – the first is a clip from the documentary “BEEF”, which focuses on the feud between BDP and the Juice Crew, and the second is a Wikipedia link for more information on this song and (arguably) rap’s first real “beef”, The Bridge Wars:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bridge_Wars

Run-D.M.C. was founded in 1

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“A lot of records happened because I wanted to bring the magic of hip-hop genius into the mainstream of R&B and pop music,” said pioneering producer Drew Dixon. “So, it’s nice that part of my story is being unearthed.”

For hip-hop’s 50th anniversary this year, “Turning 50: Looking Back at the Women in Hip-Hop” recognizes the women who shaped the genre. The series includes articles in print and online, a public syllabus highlighting women and hip-hop, and digital conversations with “hip-hop feminists” in music, journalism and academics.

The hip-hop series “Turning 50” concludes this week—just as the official anniversary of hip-hop’s 50th birthday kicks off the weekend.

Ms.’ final conversation is with Drew Dixon, who spoke with Janell Hobson earlier this year.

Drew Dixon is a producer, writer, activist, entrepreneur and former A&R executive, who spearheaded the recording of iconic songs like “American Boy” (Estelle f. Kanye West), “My Love Is Your Love” (Whitney Houston), “Maria Maria” (Carlos Santana), “I’ll Be Ther