In the tradition of "New York Times" bestsellers "Confessions of a Video Vixen" and "It's No Secret," an entertainment industry insider presents an expos into the down low culture of Hollywood and hip hop, where straight male celebrities find themselves intimate with other men.

"From Streets to Stardom: A Rapid-Fire Tour of Hip-Hop Evolution" Hip Hop's evolution offers a vivid voice and pictorial history of life on the streets of urban America, reaching back to the vibrant 1920s. Sprouting from the soil of struggle and determination, this cultural movement quickly unearthed a dynamic brigade of youthful African American musicians. Eager to weave their art into narratives, they brought forth a spirited, soulful style that resonated globally. From its birthplace in the South Bronx and Brooklyn of the 1970s, Rap has burgeoned to become one of the most powerful musical forces of the 21st century. In my rap history series, I decode the genre of hip hop for all audiences, from the curious beginner to the seasoned aficionado, kids, teens, and adults alike. Here's a snapshot of this volume's enlightening content: The Hip Hop vs. Rap Debate: Unravel the nuanced differences between these two often-confused terms. The Early Stirrings: Explore the formative influences that shaped Rap's history. Elements of Hip Hop Culture: Learn about the diverse components that comprise Hip Hop culture, including Breakdancing, Graffiti, Fashion, and beyond. Underground Rap's Role: Understand the critical part played by the Underground Hip Hop scene in the genre's development. Noteworthy Narratives: Revisit the greatest moments of Rap Music History that changed the course of music forever. Subgenre Spectra: Journey through a wide range of genres & subgenres like Gangsta Rap, Crunk, and more. Cultural Ripples: Witness the extensive cultural impact and societal transformations triggered by hip hop. And there's so much more! Embark on this rhythmic journey, discovering a treasure trove of history, culture, and impactful narratives. Get ready for a rapid-fire tour of hip-hop evolution! 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A sociologist and pop-culture expert offers a balanced engagement of hip-hop and rap music, showing God's presence in the music and the message.

Journalist Soren Baker’sThe History of Gangster Rap takes a deep dive into this fascinating music subgenre. Foreword by Xzibit Sixteen detailed chapters, organized chronologically, examine the evolution of gangster rap, its main players, and the culture that created this revolutionary music. From still-swirling conspiracy theories about the murders of Biggie and Tupac to the release of the film Straight Outta Compton, the era of gangster rap is one that fascinates music junkies and remains at the forefront of pop culture. Filled with interviews with key players such as Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, and dozens more, as well as sidebars, breakout bios of notorious characters, lists, charts, and beyond, The History of Gangster Rap is the be-all-end-all book that contextualizes the importance of gangster rap as a cultural phenomenon. “History has so often been written by the victors, that you very rarely ever get the real story behind anything. So it’s really important to hear from the people that were there, which is exactly what Soren Baker shares in this book. He writes about it and he’s honest about it.” —The D.O.C.

ONE OF AMAZON'S BEST ART & PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS 0F 2018 AN NPR AND PITCHFORK BEST MUSIC BOOK OF 2018 PICK ONE OF TIME'S 25 BEST PHOTOBOOKS OF 2018 NEW YORK TIMES, ASSOCIATED PRESS, WALLSTREET JOURNAL, ROLLING STONE, AND CHICAGO SUN HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE PICK The perfect gift for music and photography fans, an inside look at the work of hip-hop photographers told through their most intimate diaries—their contact sheets. Featuring rare outtakes from over 100 photoshoots alongside interviews and essays from industry legends, Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop takes readers on a chronological journey from old-school to alternative hip-hop and from analog to digital photography. The ultimate companion for music and photography enthusiasts, Contact High is the definitive history of hip-hop’s early days, celebrating the artists that shaped the iconic album covers, t-shirts and posters beloved by hip-hop fans today. With essays from BILL ADLER, RHEA L. COMBS, FAB 5 FREDDY, MICHAEL GONZALES, YOUNG GURU, DJ PREMIER, and RZA

From Nelson George, supervising producer and writer of the hit Netflix series, "The Get Down, Hip Hop America is the definitive account of the society-altering collision between black youth culture and the mass media.