What Is Hip-Hop?

July 10, 2017
With an editorial assist from author/cultural critic George, Morse and Yi (the team behind What Is Punk?) highlight hip-hop’s cultural hegemony via an impressively encyclopedic parade of rhyming biographies. Yi’s meticulously styled clay figures are as magical as in the previous book, combining profound expressiveness with the playfulness of action figures. Her compositions are equally evocative, ranging from video snippets (the Beastie Boys strike a pose from “Intergalactic”) to formal portraits (Kanye West, Missy Elliott, Kendrick Lamar) and metaphorical ones (Jay Z stands amid New York City skyscrapers). Fans may wish for a bigger spotlight on the critical and empowering perspective that female artists have brought to hip-hop, and there’s some wince-worthy rhyming (of Tupac, “The poster boy for ‘thug life,’ he seemed to cultivate drama./ But he showed a sensitive side on his song ‘Dear Mama’ ”). Still, Morse gets credit for addressing, albeit with G-rated obliqueness, the genre’s often-searing subject matter. As he writes of NWA, “There was violence in their songs,/ and other bad things too./ Call it right or call it wrong,/ they sang of the world they knew.” Ages 3–7.

July 15, 2017
In this follow-up to What is Punk? (2015), the author-and-illustrator team takes on hip-hop, in consultation with hip-hop historian, cultural critic, and Brooklynite George. In rhythmic, rhyming verse, Morse offers a genealogy of hip-hop royalty that begins with the Boogie Down Bronx's DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash and walks readers into today with Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar. In between the origins and now, readers find a rare gender-inclusive narrative of hip-hop history that uplifts B-girls like Queen Latifah and Missy Elliott along with legendary male groups such as NWA and Wu-Tang. Veteran hip-hop heads might note some chronological inconsistencies--a page for Eminem before Biggie and Tupac?--and, as with anything hip-hop, there will be some controversy over who makes it and who gets cut. Where's Scarface? Master P? These debates should only stand to enhance the experience; it's as much a part of the culture as the break-dancing, graffiti, and fashion that have influenced people all around the world. What everyone will agree upon will be the magnificent 3-D clay illustrations, which include an intricately produced remake of Tribe Called Quest's legendary "Midnight Marauders" cover. Tying these images back to their original sources makes for quite the history lesson. Make sure to keep a device nearby. A must-read reference for any hip-hop family. (Informational picture book. 5-adult)

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September 1, 2017

Gr 2-5-Morse, along with journalist and music critic George, constructs a rhythmic tale about the evolution of hip-hop and the people behind the scenes. ("The Boogie Down Bronx is where our story begins. That's where DJ Kool Herc made the records spin.") Yi's 3-D clay illustrations make smart use of bold primary colors and deftly capture the energy and look of the times, as readers move from the streets of New York City to the skies of Los Angeles and more. Some spreads are designed to resemble album covers, such as A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders and De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising. Morse doesn't specify time periods, but generally follows a chronological history as he progresses through a litany of names and groups. Morse also peppers the text with song titles or lyrics to tell the story, though he tweaks them slightly for the audience; for instance, "The Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothing to mess with." Yi's characters, though obviously stylized, often bear a remarkable resemblance to the artists themselves-readers can have fun trying to guess who's who. VERDICT Nostalgia for parents and a fresh experience for children. A fun addition to music history collections, especially where the duo's previous collaboration, What Is Punk?, is popular.-Joanne Albano, Commack Public Library, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2017
Grades 2-4 Morse and Yi follow their energetic debut What Is Punk? (2015) with a new music primer dedicated to hip-hop. Using the same formula here, Morse launches into rhyming verse that introduces hip-hop culture and its major players. Moving chronologically, it kicks off with originators DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash and closes with Missy Elliott, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar, but roughly 30 artists are fleetingly profilednot to mention a shout-out to break dancers and graffiti kids. The dynamic illustrations are comprised of 3-D clay scenes that show rappers performing in concert venues, on the street, and at a protest, in addition to individual portraits. The point of this book isn't to thoroughly school the readerthere's not a date in sightbut, rather, to share the passion and talent that drives hip-hop. But hip-hop remains, deep down at its heart, / a unique expression, an urban form of art. Just as many adults will gravitate to this for nostalgia's sake as will kids looking for something that celebrates the music they love.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)