Tag: Book Reviews

“The Motherlode” – A Beautiful, Undefinable History of Women in Hip-Hop

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date February 16, 2021
1 Comment on “The Motherlode” – A Beautiful, Undefinable History of Women in Hip-Hop

“Men write history, but women live it.”
Chloe Angyal

It’s true that history is written by the victors, but it’s also been predominately written by men. That is especially true in hip-hop. As the culture closes in on its fiftieth birthday, the contributions of women, whether behind the mic or behind the scenes, have been largely overlooked, marginalized, or outright ignored.

The Motherlode (Abrams, 2021) by Clover Hope could help begin to change that. A cogent and forceful entry in the ongoing need to give the ladies their due, it is a book that is undefinable, or at least not easily categorized, that also happens to be the definitive history of women in hip-hop.

Tags Book Reviews, Books, Foxy Brown, Hip-Hop, Lil Kim, Rap, XXL

America Books History Reviews

Personality Over Policy: An American Tradition – “The Problem of Democracy” Reviewed

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date December 2, 2019
No Comments on Personality Over Policy: An American Tradition – “The Problem of Democracy” Reviewed

Of all the hand-wringing about our current state of politics, a major complaint is that today’s voters choose personality and attitude over policy and ability. However, students of history know that this has been the case for centuries in America, almost from its inception.

Tags American Revolution, Book Reviews, History, John Adams, John Quincy Adams

Books Hip-Hop Rap Reviews

“On Writing” for the Hip-Hop Culture: Rakim’s “Sweat the Technique” Reviewed

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date November 4, 2019
1 Comment on “On Writing” for the Hip-Hop Culture: Rakim’s “Sweat the Technique” Reviewed

In most cases, progress and evolution happen slowly, over a period of time marked by small, incremental changes. Occasionally, however, a seismic shift occurs and a culture transforms overnight.

That is what happened in 1986 when a young man with a voice that sounded like it was from outer space came in the door and changed the game forever with “Eric B. Is President,” the first single from Eric B. & Rakim. The latter half of that duo was still in high school when he introduced a “new era of rhyme style” with complex internal rhymes full of multisyllabic words and a relaxed, composed delivery that was more conversational than shouting.

It was a new day in hip-hop.

Tags Autobiography, Book Reviews, Books, Hip-Hop, Rakim, Rap

Books Hip-Hop Reviews

A Fun, Glib, and Honest Trip Down Rap Memory Lane – “Ruffhouse” Reviewed

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date August 20, 2019
No Comments on A Fun, Glib, and Honest Trip Down Rap Memory Lane – “Ruffhouse” Reviewed

Growing up in the Philly area, there is a constant underlying feeling of inferiority, like a little brother, in regards to New York City, particularly within the realm of hip-hop.

Tags Book Reviews, Books, Cypress Hill, Fugees, Hip-Hop, Kris Kross, Philadelphia, Philly, Rap, Ruffhouse, The Roots

America Books History Learning

The Best Books on John Adams

Post author By Christopher Pierznik
Post date May 2, 2019
No Comments on The Best Books on John Adams

“I am but an ordinary Man. The Times alone have destined me to Fame — and even these have not been able to give me, much…Yet some great Events, some cutting Expressions, some mean Hypocrisies, have at Times, thrown this Assemblage of Sloth, Sleep, and littleness into Rage a little like a Lion.”
John Adams

I have a vivid memory – so clear that it’s like a snapshot – of sitting in an American Revolution class junior year as my professor, a brilliant man and a wonderful teacher, kept extolling the virtues of George Washington and juxtaposing them with John Adams, whom he referred to as “curmudgeonly” and “acerbic.”

That’s all I needed to hear.

Tags American Revolution, Book Reviews, Books, George Washington, History, John Adams, Rankings, Thomas Jefferson