And It Don't Stop: The Best American Hip-Hop Journalism of the Last 25 Years

by Nelson George, Raquel Cepeda (Editor)

In September 1979, there was a cosmic shift that went unnoticed by the majority of mainstream America. This shift was triggered by the release of the Sugarhill Gang's single, Rapper's Delight. Not only did it usher rap music into the mainstream's consciousness, it brought us the word "hip-hop." And It Don't Stop, edited by the award winning journalist Raquel Cepeda, with a foreword from Nelson George is a collection of the best articles the hip-hop generation has produced. It captures the indelible moments in hip-hop's history since 1979 and will be the centerpiece of the twenty-fifth-anniversary celebration.

This book epitomizes the media's response by taking the reader on an engaging and critical journey, including the very first pieces written about hip-hop for publications like The Village Voice--controversial articles that created rifts between church and state, the artist and journalist, and articles that recorded the rise and tragic fall of the art form's appointed heroes, such as Tupac Shakur, Eazy-E, and the Notorious B.I.G. The list of contributors includes Toure, Kevin Powell, dream hampton, Harry Allen, Cheo Hodari Coker, Greg Tate, Bill Adler, Hilton Als, Danyel Smith, and Joan Morgan.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Hip Hop, Essays

384 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2004

About the author

Nelson George is an author, filmmaker, television producer, and critic with a long career in analyzing and presenting the diverse elements of African-American culture.

Queen Latifah won the Golden Globe for playing the lead in his directorial debut, the HBO movie 'Life Support'. The critically acclaimed drama looked at the effects of HIV on a troubled black family in his native Brooklyn, New York. He recently co-edited, with Alan Leeds, 'The James Brown Reader (Plume)', a collection of previously published articles about the Godfather of Soul that date as far back the late '50s. Plume published the book in May '08.

He is an executive producer on two returning cable shows: the third season of BET's American Gangster and the fifth airing of VH1's Hip Hop Honors. George is the executive producer of the Chris Rock hosted feature documentary, Good Hair, a look at hair weaves, relaxers and the international black hair economy that's premiering at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.


Nelson George serves as host of Soul Cities, a travel show that debuted in November 2008. on VH1 Soul. Nelson visited Los Angeles, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Memphis, New Orleans and the Bay Area. He eats food, visits historic sites, and hears lots of music. LaBelle, Robin Thicke, Babyface, Rafael Saadiq, Angie Stone and Jazmine Sullivan are among the many artists who talked with Nelson and perform. The second season starts shooting in Spring 2009.

Throughout the '80s and '90s George was an columnist for Billboard magazine and the Village Voice newspaper, work that led him to write a series of award winning black music histories: 'Where Did Our Love Go: The Rise and Fall of the Motown Sound'; 'The Death of Rythm & Blues'; and 'Hip Hop America'. He won a Grammy for his contribution to the linear notes package on the James Brown 'Star Time' boxed set. George co-wrote 'Life and Def', the autobiography of his old friend Russell Simmons. He's also had a career writing fiction, including the bestselling 'One Woman Short', and the story, 'It's Never Too Late in New York', which has been in several anthologies of erotica.

As a screenwriter George co-wrote 'Strictly Business', which starred Halle Berry, and 'CB4', a vehicle for Chris Rock. His work with Rock led to his involvement with 'The Chris Rock Show', an Emmy award winning HBO late night series. He was an executive producer of Jim McKay's film, 'Everyday People', which premiered at the Sundance festival, and Todd Williams' Peabody award winning documentary 'The N Word'. In 2009 Viking will publish his memoir, 'City Kid', a look at the connections between childhood in Brooklyn and his adult career in Manhattan, Los Angeles and Detroit.

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's incredible to consider how far the world of hip-hop has come in the last 35 years, and somewhat sad to think that the last 15 of those years have contributed precious little.

A killer read that does a great job of mixing individual profiles with contemplations on the scene and the state of the nation.

[Jakers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last section wasn't really about any new artists of the 2000s, "Diatribe" was a really good review.

[Shannyn Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's difficult to review an anthology since some of the pieces are certainly stronger than others, so I'm rating the book based on the strength of the articles I enjoyed most (most notably "Haitian Homecoming, "What the White Boy Means When He Says Yo" and "Hell-Raiser," to name a few). More than anything, this anthology establishes hip-hop as a movement. It places this movement in a historical context with articles that offer critical analysis of the social forces that fostered its development. The book also documents hip-hop's commodification by mainstream consumerism, thus offering some explanation for the general lack of artistry and revolutionary ideas in today's popular rap.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was a little skeptical about this one. I mean, "hip-hop journalism." Riiiiiight? But there's some great writing here. And, having come of age alongside the music, it reminds me so much of the hyperbolic optimism I felt during the '80s, the growing apprehension of the '90s, and my utter disillusionment in the 2Gs. Of course, like the journalists featured in this book, I still love hip-hop. And I most definitely love this book.

[Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly really great pieces that gave me A LOT of background on the history of a subject that I don't know very well. Occasionally there were a few puff piece profiles that seemed completely inconsequential. Overall, it was excellent.

[Angela Perkins]

A research book for my 90's blog: Damn The Man, Save The Empire! at http://co-optingthe90s.blogspot.com/

Read bits and pieces of this one but had to return to the library. Will get it again, because it was very good. Almost as good as Black Noise by Tricia Rose.

[Skyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great anthology of articles spanning nearly three decades. Enjoyed nearly 90% of the stories in this collection. It's a must read for anyone interested in hip hop, in music journalism, or music history. There's so much worth leaning in here.

[Monica Noel Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting! Just read maybe half of the articles, but all the ones I read were super engaging and for someone into in really old school hip hop, like early 80's, a lot of the ones I didn't read would be interesting.

[Larry-bob Roberts]

Includes "Afrika Bambaataa’s Hip-Hop" by Steven Hager, reprinted from the Village Voice, where it appeared in 1982.

[Monee · Rating 2 out of 5]

i only read this book for a school projecT. No comment about it

[Satyros Brucato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read as research for a book I'm writing about music, "And It Don't Stop" entranced me. I'd found hip-hop intriguing before I discovered this book, but understand it far better now.

[Attiana Virella-fuentes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anti-climactic. Pop-hop is a sad sad sound. But the birth of hip-hop makes me want to grab a can of spray paint and bomb the city.

[Raquel Cepeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved editing this anthology and some of the pieces within are still my favorite snapshots of hip-hop journalism!

[RK Byers · Rating 4 out of 5]

good collection. talented contributors.

[Izzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a LOT in this book. I think it's fantastic and well written.

[Mills College Library]

782.42164 A5431 2004