Overview

Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole blazed paths that salvaged socially conscious rap at a pivotal time in history. Conscious rap, a subgenre of hip-hop music that engages in dialogue about social and political issues and often challenges systems of oppression, ascended with pioneers like Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Public Enemy, Ice Cube, A Tribe Called Quest, and other acts at the helm. But in recent decades, it lost much of its favor in pop culture and mainstream hip-hop. Jeremy C. McCool and Earl Hopkins explore the evolution of the subgenre and chronicle the rise of Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole. The two rappers are synonymous with chart-topping hits and platinum-selling albums, but their confessional poetry and soul-stirring lyrics establish them as the two biggest names in conscious rap within the new millennia. While many new artists have abandoned the subgenre in exchange for music trends linked to instantaneous success and acclaim, Cole and Lamar have preserved the lyrical prowess and revolutionary spirit of their hip-hop forefathers. They tackle issues such as drug addiction, poverty, systemic racism, and domestic violence while still appealing to mainstream audiences. McCool and Hopkins provide a fascinating look into Lamar and Cole’s ascension: their humble upbringings, their past personal and musical challenges, and their eventual rise to becoming the two most prolific rap artists of their time.

Full Product Details

9798881801250

Table of Contents

Reviews

Throughout its history, conscious rap has remained hip-hop’s heartbeat and true purpose. Jeremy C. McCool and Earl Hopkins insightfully articulate the detriments of its shrinking spotlight while highlighting the origin and impact of its modern torchbearers, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. Who will pick up where they leave off? It’s an urgent question posed by this timely work that demands an answer. -- Jonathan Abrams * author of The Come Up: An Oral History of the Rise of Hip-Hop *

Throughout its history, conscious rap has remained hip-hop’s heartbeat and true purpose. Jeremy C. McCool and Earl Hopkins insightfully articulate the detriments of its shrinking spotlight while highlighting the origin and impact of its modern torchbearers, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar. Who will pick up where they leave off? It’s an urgent question posed by this timely work that demands an answer. -- Jonathan Abrams * author of The Come Up: An Oral History of the Rise of Hip-Hop * Raps of Resistance is a tribute to the history, power, and influence of a movement of artists who have continually told stories of life in real time. The way that McCool and Hopkins describe the many comedies and tragedies of the artists, culture, and subgenres are seamlessly woven as an artistic masterpiece for all hip-hop enthusiasts. -- Khalid N. Mumin * Former Pennsylvania Secretary of Education * Raps of Resistance offers both a reverent celebration and loving critique of hip-hop, holding up J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar as case studies in the current state of conscious rap. Bridging the barbershop and the academy, McCool and Hopkins invite readers into a timely conversation about the cultural, economic, and political forces swirling in and around hip-hop – and the nation – at this tumultuous historical moment. -- H. Bernard Hall * Drexel University, USA * Having witnessed hip-hop's evolution from its founding, I find Raps of Resistance to be a truly overdue and insightful tribute. This book brilliantly honors the genre's profound legacy as a vehicle for voices of resistance while powerfully illuminating a hopeful vision for its future. It's an essential read for all who understand hip-hop's enduring role as a cultural and social force. -- Thomas C. Segar * Vice President for Student Affairs, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, USA *

Author Information

Jeremy C. McCool is Associate Professor of Digital/Global Media at West Chester University, USA. He is a cultural critic and scholar whose work explores the complexities of hip-hop, social consciousness, technology, and Black identity. His contributions have earned him honors such as Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40 award and West Liberty University’s Hughes Lecturer distinction. Earl Hopkins is an award-winning arts and culture reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer. As a hip-hop critic and historian, he has contributed high-profile interviews, album reviews, and rap history guides for Billboard, GRAMMY.com, SPIN, and other platforms.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available