For the sake of this website, hopefully hip hop and reading are not dead. I know somewhere out there, in the brightest crevices of this chaotic, and sometimes dense, world live people who still own bookcases filled with actual books that they have cracked opened at least once, or sit in social distancing libraries wearing big a– headphones blaring out The Pharcyde’s “Runnin” while reading Zack O’Malley Greenburg’s 3 Kings.
Audiobooks are fine, too. As long as people are still entertaining their imaginations with literature, there’s hope for humanity. There’s the possibility that open-mindedness and creative resourcefulness is still a thing. With that said, if you are a book-loving hip hop head or know someone that is, here’s a cheat sheet for some books you may want to add to the library.
The Rose That Grew From Concrete
Synopsis: “Tupac Shakur’s most intimate and honest thoughts were uncovered only after his death with the instant classic The Rose That Grew from Concrete.”
Sweet Jones: Pimp C’s Trill Life Story
Synopsis: “A pioneer in the South’s quest for respect in the Hip Hop world and one of the most colorful characters to emerge from the music scene which ultimately topped rap charts at the turn of the century, Chad “Pimp C” Butler’s controversial life – and suspicious death in 2007 – left behind many unanswered questions, a family divided, and scores of talented new artists inspired by his group UGK’s music. Sweet Jones pays tribute to the extremely talented – yet bipolar and complex – musician who embodied the Southern dream.”
My Voice: A Memoir
Synopsis: “Angie Martinez, the “Voice of New York”, candidly recounts the story of her rise to become an internationally celebrated hip-hop radio icon.”
E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX
Synopsis: “After 27 years of chaos, struggle, and survival, DMX became one of the biggest stories in contemporary music. But his character goes beyond that. He’s also a father, a husband, and more important, someone who never gave up, and never stopped chasing his dreams. He has dedicated his life and his music to expressing the thoughts and feelings of those who have never been heard before—just as he was never heard as a child.”
The Art & Science of Respect: A Memoir by James Prince
Synopsis: “For decades, serial entrepreneur James Prince presided over Rap-A-Lot Records, one of the first and most successful independent rap labels. In his memoir, he explains how he earned his reputation as one of the most respected men in Hip Hop.”
The Autobiography of Gucci Mane
Synopsis: “For the first time, Gucci Mane tells his story in his own words. It is the captivating life of an artist who forged an unlikely path to stardom and personal rebirth. Gucci Mane began writing his memoir in a maximum-security federal prison. Released in 2016, he emerged radically transformed. He was sober, smiling, focused, and positive – a far cry from the Gucci Mane of years past.”
Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter
Synopsis: “For the first time, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson opens up about his amazing comeback – from tragic personal loss to thriving businessman and cable’s highest-paid executive – in this unique self-help guide, his first since his blockbuster New York Times best seller The 50th Law.”
From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg’s Kitchen
Synopsis: “Snoop’s cookbook features OG soul food cookbook staples like Baked Mac & Cheese and Fried Bologna Sandwiches with Chips, and new takes on classic weeknight faves like Soft Flour Tacos and Easy Orange Chicken. And it don’t stop…Snoop’s giving a taste of the high life with remixes on upper echelon fare such as Lobster Thermidor and Filet Mignon. But we gotta keep it G with those favorite munchies too, ya know? From chewy Starbursts to those glorious Frito BBQ Twists, you should have an arsenal of snacks that’ll satisfy. And of course, no party is complete without that Gin and Juice and other platinum ways to entertain.”
Sweat the Technique: Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius
Synopsis: “The musician and hip-hop legend – hailed as “the greatest MC of all time” and compared to Thelonious Monk – reimagines the writing handbook in this memoir and guide that incorporates the soulful genius, confidence, and creativity of a master artist.”
Diary of a Madman: The Geto Boys, Life, Death, and the Roots of Southern Rap
Synopsis: “From Geto Boys legend and renowned storyteller Scarface, comes a passionate memoir about how hip-hop changed the life of a kid from the south side of Houston, and how he rose to the top-and ushered in a new generation of rap dominance.”
Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It
Synopsis: “Charlamagne Tha God – the self-proclaimed “Prince of Pissing People Off”, cohost of Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club, and “hip-hop’s Howard Stern” – shares his unlikely success story as well as how embracing one’s truths is a fundamental key to success and happiness.”
HussleNomics: Money, Ownership & Business Lessons Inspired by Nipsey Hussle + a Step by Step Guide on How to Implement Each Principle
Synopsis: “HussleNomics is a book dedicated to the legacy and teachings of Mr. Hussle with a step by step guide on how to implement each principle in your life. Nipsey often preached about the Marathon and as you know in a marathon the baton is often passed to the next runner to pick up where the other left off… HussleNomics is that baton!”
Confessions of a Video Vixen
Synopsis: “Confessions of a Video Vixen is the widely anticipated memoir of Karrine Steffans, the once-sought-after sexy siren who appeared in the music videos of multi-platinum hip hop artists. A top-paid video dancer, Karrine transitioned to film when acclaimed director F. Gary Gray picked her to costar in his film A Man Apart, starring Vin Diesel. This memoir, part tell-all, part cautionary tale, shows how Karrine came to be the confidante of so many, why she kept their secrets, and how she found herself in Hollywood after a life marked by physical abuse, rape, and drugs, all before she was 26. By sharing her emotionally charged story, she hopes to shed light on an otherwise romanticized industry.”
3 Kings
Diddy, Dr. Dre, and Jay-Z lifted themselves from childhood adversity into tycoon territory, amassing levels of fame and wealth that not only outshone all other contemporary hip-hop artists, but with a combined net worth of well over $2 billion made them the three richest American musicians, period. Yet their fortunes have little to do with selling their own albums: between Diddy’s Ciroc vodka, Dre’s $3 billion sale of his Beats headphones to Apple, and Jay-Z’s Tidal streaming service and other assets, these artists have transcended pop music fame to become lifestyle icons and moguls.
