05/11/06 09:59 PM
Although I’ve been doing music reviews for about a decade now (if you count the time I spent writing with my college newspaper), I’ve never considered myself a person who is really well-rounded in terms of being knowledgable in regards to all different genres. I know my indie rock and electronic music quite well, with dabblings of smarts about jazz and classical and other styles, but when it comes time to start discussing something other than the areas I know best, I start to feel rather stupid.
That was one of the reasons that I decided to order a book about the history of hip-hop. I’d heard a lot of good things about Can’t Stop Won’t Stop by Jeff Chang and decided it would be a good starting point for me. As it turns out, it was probably one of the best places that I could have dipped my toes into the water, as it has a very thorough (if a bit trunicated) history of everything from street parties to breakdancing to graffiti artists to black nationalism right through to DJs and MCs and hip hop and rap music into present times. The time span covers roughly the last 30 years, and although I knew little bits and pieces about little things here and there, it was interesting to read the book and sort of tie all the loose ends together.
One of the things I enjoyed most was reading a more involved history of groups like Public Enemy, whom I really enjoy. I didn’t really discover the group on my own terms until well after their most popular (and controversial) period, and it was intersting to read about not only the things they did right, but their mistakes as well. Oddly enough, the book seemed rushed as it moved towards a conclusion, seemingly whittling down especially the past 10 years or so into a much smaller section of the book, but overall it was a highly enjoyable read. At least I don’t feel like quite as much of an idiot about hip hop music now.
May 14th, 2006 at 8:53 pm
Ever watch “Scratch?”
May 14th, 2006 at 10:36 pm
“Scratch” was pretty cool, although (obviously?) I don’t think it had nearly the depth that a book of 400+ pages could have over the course of a 30 year time period. It’s sorta like watching “Modulations” and getting an overview of electronic music. Both of them are highly enjoyable and great as entry points, though. Just watching interviews and footage of the different musicians (in each) seemed entertaining to me, even though I knew something about each.
Interestingly enough, I just ordered a book on the history of electronic music, so barring any major changes in plans, I should be reading that as well this year. Basically, I’m just looking to not be as big of an idiot in general. I went through a big physics kick about 2 years ago, and this year (and last) I seem to be really getting into oral history stuff (Studs Terkel) and different music history (as well as the usual smattering of Pohlitz).
May 15th, 2006 at 7:31 pm
Take a look at DaCapo Press. They’ve got a great deal of intersting books on a variety of books, and a couple of interesting peices on urban music. Their yearly publication of the previous years best music writing is most worthy of note, just to get a broader appreciation for other strands of music
May 15th, 2006 at 10:27 pm
Just checked out the De Capo website. Funny that the editor of their “Best Music Writing of 2005” is JT Leroy, given that saga.
I’ll look into them a little more, though. No need to write them off since there were certainly more people who were suckered into the hoax than they were.
May 16th, 2006 at 7:07 pm
Sorry, not following. What’s wrong with Leroy? I’ve never heard of him before I picked up that book.
May 16th, 2006 at 9:38 pm
I don’t know a ton about Leroy other than what I’ve read on Wikipedia and have seen spilled about on other sites. Basically, a hoax that someone concocted. Probably doesn’t change anything about the collection she co-edited, just a tidbit of information for you.
July 20th, 2006 at 10:42 pm
[…] When I started out the “year of non-fiction” (as I’ve been calling it), one of my sub-goals was to also read a wide variety of material as well. Because I also write music reviews in my spare time, I figured that one area I would try to fill in some knowledge gaps was in the realm of music. Earlier this year, I’d read a book on the history of hip hop, and I thought it would also be nice to read a little bit more about the pioneers of electronic music. […]