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The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip-Hop

by Carole Boston Weatherford

Rap’s roots in a wider cultural story

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Awards & Recognition

  • Critical praise

    Publishers Weekly starred review

    Starred review describing the book as a dynamic, artful introduction to hip-hop.

AlbakiReads Editorial

Rap’s roots in a wider cultural story

Carole Boston Weatherford traces hip-hop to traditions and influences that reach beyond its early DJs and performers. The book connects rap with folktales, spirituals, poetry, funk, jazz and soul, then brings in James Brown’s showmanship and the graffiti art and break dancing that grew alongside the music. Its brief, rhyming lines frame hip-hop as a way to voice stories, hopes and fears, while Frank Morrison’s illustrations accompany the cultural history. The result is an introduction that places rap within a broader creative lineage and presents hip-hop as both music and culture.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Ages 4–8 exploring rap and hip-hop
  • Young readers interested in music’s cultural roots
  • Families introducing children to poetry, graffiti art and break dancing

Themes

Hip-hop’s cultural rootsRap as storytelling and expressionMusic, poetry and performanceGraffiti art and break dancing

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Explore the roots of rap in this stunning, rhyming, triple-timing picture book!

"Carole Boston Weatherford, once again, delivers a resounding testament and reminder, that hip-hop is a flavorful slice of larger cultural cake. And to be hip-hop-to truly be it-we must remember that we are also funk, jazz, soul, folktale, and poetry. We must remember that . . . we are who we are!" ―Jason Reynolds, New York Times best-selling author

"Starting with its attention-getting cover, this picture book does an excellent job of capturing the essence of rap . . . This tribute to hip hop culture will appeal to a wide audience, and practically demands multiple readings." ―Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

"No way around it, this book is supa-dupa fly, with lush illustrations anchored in signature hip-hop iconography for the future of the global hip-hop nation." ―Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

"With short, rhyming lines and dramatic portraits of performers, the creative team behind How Sweet the Sound: The Story of Amazing Grace offers a dynamic introduction to hip-hop. . . . This artful introduction to one of the most influential cultural movements of the 20th century pulses with the energy and rhythm of its subject." ―Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

A generation voicing
stories, hopes, and fears
founds a hip-hop nation.
Say holler if you hear.

The roots of rap and the history of hip-hop have origins that precede DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash. Kids will learn about how it evolved from folktales, spirituals, and poetry, to the showmanship of James Brown, to the culture of graffiti art and break dancing that formed around the art form and gave birth to the musical artists we know today. Written in lyrical rhythm by award-winning author and poet Carole Boston Weatherford and complete with flowing, vibrant illustrations by Corettta Scott King Award winner, Frank Morrison, this book beautifully illustrates how hip-hop is a language spoken the whole world 'round, and it features a foreword by Swizz Beatz, a Grammy Award-winning American hip-hop rapper, DJ, and record producer.
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