Contact High

December 1, 2018

Journalist Tobak (Detroit News; Paper) provides a valuable lens into the history of hip-hop, offering iconic photographs spanning 1979-2012, along with the contact sheets. Commentary from the photographers gives context on how the shoots developed, locations were selected, interactions with the musicians, and other observations. There are essays by contributors such as photo collector and former Def Jam Recordings publicity director Bill Adler, artist Questlove, record producer DJ Premier, and Rhea L. Combs, curator of film and photography at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Among the photos are Gordon Parks's A Great Day in Hip-Hop (a remake of A Great Day in Harlem featuring more than 200 artists, including Fab Five Freddy, Twista, and Pete Rock), along with images of Tupac Shakur, Aaliyah, Run-DMC, Notorious B.I.G., Slick Rick, Queen Latifah, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and many more. VERDICT Take out your magnifying glass and dig into these famous shots. Whether readers are familiar with or new to the music, they'll appreciate this oversize full-color tome that communicates the energy, power, culture, and images of hip-hop. [See also Mahnaz Dar's "Testifying to the Power of Hip-Hop at the New York Public Library," ow.ly/4A5k30mz98K]--Lani Smith, Ohone Coll. Lib., Fremont, CA

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Through the contact sheets of more than 100 photo shoots, as well as interviews with photographers and essays from artists, this collection offers an intimate look at hip-hop, spanning almost 40 years. Since the book relies so heavily on interviews, it is conversational and easy to read but also incredibly enlightening for anyone wanting to learn about the history of hip-hop from 1979 to 2012. Those doing high school or early college-level research papers will find it useful. The images primarily depict hip-hop artists but sometimes include their friends and family, dancers, and fans, giving a wide view of the genre's influence on our culture over the years. The use of contact sheets, or the negatives from analogue photo shoots that were printed onto sheets for photographers to consider all their shots, adds interest. This volume gives readers a look into the process, rather than just focusing on the final shots that made it onto magazine covers. VERDICT A rich history both of hip-hop and photography, for all collections.-Emily Butler, Deerfield Academy, MA