DVS Mindz: The Twenty-Year Saga of the Greatest Rap Group to Almost Make It Outta Kansas

DVS Mindz is a critically acclaimed rap group that formed in Topeka, Kansas, in the mid-1990s but split up in 2003 due to creative differences, substance abuse, ego battles, and money issues. Geoff Harkness' book chronicles their childhoods, success, and what became of them in the years that followed, offering a backstage pass into the recording studios, radio stations, video shoots, house parties, nightclubs, and concert halls of the Kansas City-Lawrence-Topeka music scene circa 2000.

Format: Hardback
Length: 424 pages
Publication date: 18 April 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The music industry is a tough and competitive world, and it is often difficult for aspiring rappers to make it big. According to statistics, only a small percentage of rappers who dream of becoming successful in the music industry actually achieve their goals. This is why we often hear the stories of the few rappers who do make it, as they are the ones who have managed to overcome the many challenges and obstacles that come with pursuing a career in music.

One such group that may have slipped under the radar of many music fans is DVS Mindz. Formed in Topeka, Kansas, in the mid-1990s, DVS Mindz quickly gained a reputation for their ferocious rhyming and energetic live performances. They released a critically acclaimed CD in their heyday, which received nominations for prestigious awards and opened for legends such as Wu-Tang Clan, Run-DMC, and De La Soul, as well as KC icon Tech N9ne. However, the group struggled with creative differences, substance abuse, ego battles, and money issues, and they split up in 2003.

Geoff Harkness, a music journalist and author, has taken readers on a unique two-decade journey alongside the members of DVS Mindz. In his book, "DVS Mindz: The Untold Story of Kansas City Hip Hop," Harkness chronicles the group's childhoods, their brush with success, and what became of them in the years that followed. The book is based on more than one hundred hours of video and audio recordings from 1999 to 2022, offering a backstage pass into the recording studios, radio stations, video shoots, house parties, nightclubs, and concert halls of the Kansas City-Lawrence-Topeka music scene circa 2000.

"DVS Mindz" is at once a compulsively readable group biography of four talented MCs, a vibrant voyage through the forgotten history of local hip hop, and a breathtakingly real story of struggling to achieve big dreams. The book provides a deep insight into the lives of the members of DVS Mindz, from their early years growing up in poverty and violence to their rise to fame and their eventual downfall. It also sheds light on the challenges that aspiring rappers face in the music industry, including the need to develop a unique style, overcome self-doubt, and navigate the often-cutthroat world of record labels and management.

One of the most striking aspects of "DVS Mindz" is the raw and honest portrayal of the group's members. Harkness does not shy away from the difficult moments that the group faced, including substance abuse, ego battles, and financial struggles. He provides a candid account of the group's struggles and the toll that it took on their personal lives and relationships. This portrayal adds a layer of depth and authenticity to the book, making it a must-read for anyone who is interested in the music industry or the lives of aspiring musicians.

In addition to its compelling storytelling, "DVS Mindz" is also a valuable contribution to the history of local hip hop. The book provides a detailed account of the Kansas City-Lawrence-Topeka music scene circa 2000, which was a thriving and dynamic community that was home to many talented artists and musicians. Harkness highlights the contributions of DVS Mindz to the local music scene, as well as the influence that they had on other artists and musicians in the area.

Overall, "DVS Mindz: The Untold Story of Kansas City Hip Hop" is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the music industry, the lives of aspiring musicians, or the history of local hip hop. The book provides a unique and compelling perspective on the struggles and successes of a group of talented MCs, and it sheds light on the challenges that aspiring rappers face in the music industry. Whether you are a music fan or a aspiring musician, this book is sure to inspire and motivate you to pursue your dreams and achieve your goals.

Weight: 642g
Dimension: 147 x 225 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231208727