Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation

Interesting to say the laest. I feel like I learnt a lot, but you feel like it was a tad too academic and didn't quite encapsulate the culture. It got a bit hard to cover the middle chapters. But definitely a read that anyone who loves hip hop should read

This book connected a lot of dots for me, particularly the beginnings of Hip Hop. The early days and the chapters on Public Enemy really enthralled. By the book's end Chang had lost a little steam, but it was well worth the read. I loved it.

Chang chronicles the birth of hip hop in much detail, paying homage to the pioneers and to the many people we may never have known about if Chang had not brought them and their stories to life, including the Jamaican influence that often gets overlooked. A second volume is needed to continue the story.

Hip Hop n We Dont Stop

Not just for hip-hop heads, Can't Stop Won't Stop traces a generation and the struggle to survive with one's mind intact-- hip-hop... we'll adapt and overcome.

so far.. what seems to look like a typical devotion to this genre of music turns itself inside out. As you begin to focus on the contemp. make up of this cultural phenomenon. With little use of the generic hip-hop writing, this book attempts to educate rather than enlist new audiences. References to t rock,rasta and aswell as electro and jazz.. it lets you know how much Hip-Hop is...more

so far.. what seems to look like a typical devotion to this genre of music turns itself inside out. As you begin to focus on the contemp. make up of this cultural phenomenon. With little use of the generic hip-hop writing, this book attempts to educate rather than enlist new audiences. References to t rock,rasta and aswell as electro and jazz.. it lets you know how much Hip-Hop is apart of your life whether you like it or not   hide

Amazing, but... I would have loved to give this book 5 stars. It is such a phenomenal walk through American history, from 1968 to the early 2000s. As the subtitle states, this is a history of the generation that created and came of age with hip-hop, not simply an overview of hip-hop music. It is about the socio-econo-political forces that developed or, more often, damaged this...more

Amazing, but... I would have loved to give this book 5 stars. It is such a phenomenal walk through American history, from 1968 to the early 2000s. As the subtitle states, this is a history of the generation that created and came of age with hip-hop, not simply an overview of hip-hop music. It is about the socio-econo-political forces that developed or, more often, damaged this generation and the art and culture that they made as a response. If you are a lover of either hip-hop or history, you will find much to appreciate about this book. It is filled with first-hand accounts by the DJs, MCs, dancers, and graffiti artists who were there back in the day -- it should really give you a new awareness of what "old skool" REALLY means. It is also thoroughly researched, with tons of citations. So, why only 4 stars? This book falls short of being a complete history since it offers only the briefest mention of female rappers. (and DJs -- hello, Spinderella!) While entire chapters are devoted to several individual (albeit well-deserving) male artists, the amount of coverage to female artists fills less than a dozen paragraphs total. This is an especially odd omission since Chang does make a point on several occasions of calling out the routine misogyny and even includes a rather tense interaction between Ice Cube and Angela Davis. I also found it weird that there was no mention of artists such as DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, Sir Mix-A-Lot, or Eminem. While each of them "could" be considered sell-outs (or, rather, victims of excessive hype by their labels and the media, looking for the latest poster boys/scape goats) they each had significant effects on how the Hip-Hop Generation saw itself, and how mainstream America came to terms with the Hip-Hop Generation coming of age. So, despite what I consider rather significant oversights, I still highly recommend this book.   hide

The best history on Hip Hop there is. Incredible insight behind the sociology of this movement.

Great historical perspective of hip hop history. Very detailed account of the inception of the culture. Towards the end of the book ideas are more generalized. I Chang incorporated historical, social, and economic aspects which impacted hip hop. A personal bias, needed more NAS!:) Much needed book to document hip hop culture. The beginning of the book provides a brilliant detailed history...more

Great historical perspective of hip hop history. Very detailed account of the inception of the culture. Towards the end of the book ideas are more generalized. I Chang incorporated historical, social, and economic aspects which impacted hip hop. A personal bias, needed more NAS!:) Much needed book to document hip hop culture. The beginning of the book provides a brilliant detailed history of hip hop's beginnings. I wish this could have been done in volumes, because the detailed history thins out as the the book continues. F or example, how do you have a book on hip hop history with NO mention of NAS? Still it is a necessary book on hip hop history Even though he omitted Nas, it's a great book, especially about the inception of Hip Hop. Very detailed   hide