Bitches Brew: in the hands of Blackjack Nutmeg. the novel partly inspired by Miless Davis 1970s Jazz album, explores the bend riffs and hard-times many good men experience in turbulent relationships with their significant others (women) in their lives. Bitches Brew exposes and sheds light on many hidden agenda and wrongs the woman/women play in the role of the deconstruction of humanism along with exposing many of the things women might have always wanted to know in regards of a mans TRUE feelings. And although the project carries the authors of Kenny Attaway & Ghetto English Rock and primarily centers around the lives of Dallas (leading character) and his friends Sal, Aston and Justin, over 200 different men hardships and tribulations have been packed into the novel. Bitches Brew not only explores the troubled relations THE MEN share with their significant others/women in their lives, but the hardships with the other woman in their lives such as their mother (s), daughter (s), sisters and grandmothers. Written and encrusted in/with the life spices of compassionate, honest, wits, understanding and realism--Bitches Brew is one of the best-written, honest and most personal memoirs of our lifetime.

Over the past four decades, rap and hip hop culture have taken a central place in popular music both in the United States and around the world. Listening to Rap: An Introduction enables students to understand the historical context, cultural impact, and unique musical characteristics of this essential genre. Each chapter explores a key topic in the study of rap music from the 1970s to today, covering themes such as race, gender, commercialization, politics, and authenticity. Synthesizing the approaches of scholars from a variety of disciplines—including music, cultural studies, African-American studies, gender studies, literary criticism, and philosophy—Listening to Rap tracks the evolution of rap and hip hop while illustrating its vast cultural significance. The text features more than 60 detailed listening guides that analyze the musical elements of songs by a wide array of artists, from Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash to Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and more. A companion website showcases playlists of the music discussed in each chapter. Rooted in the understanding that cultural context, music, and lyrics combine to shape rap’s meaning, the text assumes no prior knowledge. For students of all backgrounds, Listening to Rap offers a clear and accessible introduction to this vital and influential music.

juici couture & the suga hill gang is a cinematic street tale of six victims from various regions of the world coming together as one "the suga hill to get back and retaliate against their oppressors in ways none of the hood/world would ever forget. Led by their cold hearted and unforgiving leader Juici Couture and sidekicks Sweets (Sweet & Low) and others not only go on a major string of deadly payback, but gets involved in a knee deep of organized and not so organized crime; including money laundering racketeering, prostitution, murder and drug smuggling/selling. The Suga Hill Gang were very successful with first five successful retaliations on their "oppressors' but the sixth and seventh (and supposedly last) the gang stumble on the emotions of love verses hate and the deadly elements that make up HATE/REVENGE; resentment, a broken heart, confused admirations and misguided secrets that possibly separate the gang forever. A must read novel on how and why revenge is never that sweet & how wishing one a better life than yours is the key to true happiness...

This book will broaden readers’ understanding of the links between the music and fashion industries. It highlights the challenges currently facing the fashion industry in terms of hyper-competition, definition of ever-faster trends, changing consumer demands etc. In fact, the fashion industry is heavily influenced by the digital revolution in the music industry, which has changed the face of individual music consumption and social reference, and therefore, also has impacts on fashion consumption and social reference. This understanding is crucial in order to realign any fashion company’s strategies to the demands of modern fashion consumers. In terms of content, the book first discusses the social perspective of fashion and music. This includes an analysis of music as a key influencer of fashion trends, both theoretically and on the basis of a case study on grunge music. Then the role of music in the fashion business is addressed, and covers in-store music and the role of music in fashion communication. Following up, the role of fashion in the music business is analyzed. This includes the trend of co-design of fashion collections, music artists’ role of differentiation by style, and the market for music fashion merchandise articles (both theoretically and drawing on a case study). In closing, potential lessons learned from the music industry are developed for the fashion industry. This includes an analysis of the digital revolution and the advent of the crowdfunding idea (both theoretically and in a case study).

How Music Empowers argues that empowerment is the key to unlocking the long-standing mystery of how music moves us. Drawing upon cutting-edge research in embodied cognitive science, psychology, and cultural studies, the book provides a new way of understanding how music affects listeners. The argument develops from our latest conceptions of what it is to be human, investigating experiences of listening to popular music in everyday life. Through listening, individuals have the potential to redefine themselves, gain resilience, connect with other people, and make a difference in society. Applying a groundbreaking theoretical framework to postmillennial rap and metal, the book uncovers why vast numbers of listeners engage with music typically regarded as ‘social problems’ or dismissed as ‘extreme’. In the first ever comparative analytical treatment of rap and metal music, twenty songs are analysed as case studies that reveal the empowering potential of listening. The book details how individuals interact with rap and metal communities in a self-perpetuating process which keeps these thriving music cultures – and the listeners themselves – alive and well. Can music really change the world? How Music Empowers answers: yes, because it changes us. How Music Empowers will interest scholars and researchers of popular music, ethnomusicology, music psychology, music therapy, and music education.

Wild, warm and witty, Idaho Code is a rollercoaster brew of murder, mayhem and mushrooms.