Hip Hop World: A Groundwork Guide (Groundwork Guides)
Unique among youth titles for its international scope, sociological inquiry, and insider’s view, this survey of global hip-hop music, part of the Groundwork Guides series, will satisfy both hard-core fans and newcomers alike. Journalist Higgins reaches deeply into hip-hop’s roots, and teens (and adults) will be fascinated by the connections that he draws between today’s music and forms such as Extempo Calypso, a 1920s style popular in Trinidad and Tobago. Also fascinating is his survey of the contemporary hip-hop scene, far off the North American mainstream media’s radar, from Morocco to Cuba to South Africa. Higgins casts a frank, critical eye on hip-hop’s impact, including its notorious sexism and homophobia, as well as the influence of religion and social justice on the movement. The author is upfront about his biases and beliefs (“We can all thank Jah for blessing the world with YouTube”), but for many readers, that personal candor will only add to the book’s appeal. Time lines, interviews, and sidebars complete this must-have choice for older readers seeking hip-hop knowledge. Grades 9-12. --Gillian Engberg--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.