Droppin Science (Critical Perspectives On The P)

Leading authorities write on the complex--and sometimes controversial--history, politics, and culture of rap and hip hop

Perkins, a faculty fellow at the W.E.B. DuBois House at the University of Pennsylvania, has assembled a collection of essays about rap music and hip hop culture. He provides an introductory history of rap, followed by articles about the pioneering contributions of female and Latino American rappers. Essays dealing with the political and economic contexts of rap?gangsta rap, rap with a message, and the racism inherent in rap's crossover to white America?form the second part of the book. The third section features articles about hip hop culture, especially breakdancing and the use of public space for performance, and ends with an epilog by the editor. Though sometimes overly academic and ranging in quality from the workmanlike introduction to the excellent essay on message rap, Droppin' Science provides a revealing look at an important part of African American culture in the 1990s. It serves as a welcome addition to the growing legion of books and articles on the topic. Recommended to those interested in modern music and culture.?David Szatmary, Univ. of Washington, Seattle
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