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

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 TheVillage 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.

An award-winning journalist, Raquel Cepeda has contributed to Rap Pages, Essence, The Source, Vibe, The Village Voice, GQ, and other publications. She also served as editor-in-chief of Russell Simmons's Oneworld and has appeared on various VH-1 programs, as well as on CNN and E!. This is her first anthology.

Nelson George is the author of numerous books and novels that examine African-Americans through the prism of popular culture. His recent works include Hip-Hop America, Post-Soul Nation, and the novel Night Work. He co-authored Russell Simmons's autobiography, Life and Def. George was also executive producer of the HBO film Everyday People and the Trio documentary The 'N' Word.

In September 1979, with the release of the Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight," a cosmic shift occurred; though it went largely unnoticed by mainstream America, it would eventually give rise to a revolution spanning race and gender, class and culture, taste and commerce. And It Don't Stop is a cutting-edge collection of articles by the writers and journalists who bore witness to this revolutionary shift—namely, the rise of hip-hop music. This this important anthology traces hip-hop from its origins on the streets of the Bronx to its explosion as an international phenomenon.

These writings document the indelible moments in hip-hop's history, from the very first article about break-dancing (by Sally Banes), to Nelson George's profile of Russell Simmons (years before he became a corporate mogul), to Harry Allen's extended obituary for Jam Master Jay (who was murdered in Queens in 2002)—pioneering and sometimes controversial articles that created rifts between church and state, artists and journalists, critics and fans. The pieces collected here, totaling nearly 30 altogther, also record the rise and tragic fall of several of the art form's appointed heroes, such as Tupac Shakur, Eazy-E, and the Notorious B.I.G.

And It Don't Stop brings together powerful and provocative articles and interviews by some of the best writers ever to address hip-hop, including Touré, Kevin Powell, Cheo Hodari Coker, Greg Tate, Bill Adler, Hilton Als, Joan Morgan, Selwyn Seyfu Hinds, and others.

"An irresistible compilation of the most stylish prose and revelatory interviews of the last twenty-five years on hip-hop, And It Don't Stop is required reading for any serious devotee of contemporary urban culture . . . A glorious reminder of how influential journalists have been, and continue to be, in helping to shape and create this [music]."—Jason King, New York University

"And It Don't Stop does an excellent job of tracking both hip-hop's development and hip-hop journalism's increasingly strident critiques . . . Cepeda's selections are superb . . . [This] is an entertaining, thoughtfully compiled journey through hip-hop journalism."—Adam Mansbach, The Boston Globe

"A must-have for those who have defined as well as those who are curious about the culture."—Russell Simmons

"An insightful, ground-level, up-close view . . . This is some of the best journalism on hip-hop over the past twenty-five years—a valuable collection for hip-hop students, fans, and nostalgic observers alike."—Tricia Rose, author of Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America

"This engaging anthology captures the controversial moments of hip-hop from its birth in 1979 to now."—Black Issues Book Review

"And It Don't Stop is a collection of hip-hop's most vital moments—a historical documentation of the music's evolution and the journalism that evolved along with that music."—Peter L'Official, Salon.com

"And It Don't Stop deals with big ideas in crisp, accessible language."—Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

"Whatever one's feelings about the 'hip hop nation,' it certainly has given rise to vibrant journalism. Thanks to Raquel Cepeda for collecting it in this important new book."—Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

"And It Don't Stop is long overdue . . . The voices in this collection are some of the most brilliant writers—hip-hop or not—of the last twenty-five years. I welcome this book."—Bobbito Garcia, author of Where'd You Get Those?: New York City's Sneaker Culture, 1960-1987

"Cepeda has finally done justice to the mother-wit, social power, and visceral passion of hip-hop journalism. Here's an indispensable collection of pioneering, bold, visionary, and cautionary writing, a must-have for anyone who loves this culture."—Jeff Chang, author of Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation

"Once in a while a book comes along that commands attention. And It Don't Stop is hip-hop defined by its generation's best writers and observers—definite satisfaction."—Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, The Roots

"An irresistible compilation of the most stylish prose and revelatory interviews of the last twenty-five years on hip-hop, And It Don't Stop is required reading for any serious devotee of contemporary urban culture. Raquel Cepeda places hip-hop journalism in a historical framework: we not only discover how writing styles have changed over the years, but we also learn how the stakes in writing about hip-hop have transformed alongside the music and culture. It's a glorious reminder of how influential journalists have been, and continue to be, in helping to shape and create this thing we call hip-hop."—Jason King, associate chair of the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music, New York University

"Hip-hop is the voice of the community, and its child, hip-hop journalism, adds a new element to the mix in another medium that goes way beyond the music industry to become a true organ of news. And It Don't Stop is essential reading. It captures the extraordinary eruptions of word, image, and sound that hip-hop inspired, and, in itself, continues the process of self-definition and community empowerment that has characterized the movement from the earliest days up to the present. Raquel Cepeda knew how to pick th

A collection of articles and essays about the music, history, and culture of hip-hop features a quarter century of writing by Ali Farka Toure, Kevin Powell, Harry Allen, Joan Morgan, Cheo Hodari Coker, Greg Tate, Bill Adler, Hilton Als, Danyel Smith, and others.

A collection of outstanding articles and essays about the music, history, and culture of hip-hop features a quarter century of outstanding writing by Ali Farka Toure, Kevin Powell, Harry Allen, Joan Morgan, Cheo Hodari Coker, Greg Tate, Bill Adler, Hilton Als, Danyel Smith, and others. Original. 15,000 first printing.