The Come Up: An Oral History of the Rise of Hip-Hop

In the summer of 1973, hip-hop was born at a party in the Bronx. Fifty years later, it is the most popular music genre in America, pushing the boundaries of music and reshaping fashion, art, and language. Jonathan Abrams' The Come Up is the most comprehensive account of hip-hop's rise, told in the voices of the people who made it happen. It captures the stories of DJs, executives, producers, and artists who witnessed and forged the history of hip-hop, from its birth in the South Bronx to its spread to other boroughs and beyond.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 544 pages
Publication date: 27 October 2022
Publisher: Swift Press

Hip-hop, a genre that emerged from a party in the Bronx in 1973, has now become the most popular music genre in America, fifty years later. Like jazz in the early twentieth century, hip-hop and its pioneering DJs and artists, mostly people of color from underserved communities, have pushed the boundaries of music, captivating the youth and reshaping fashion, art, and language. However, the stories of many hip-hop pioneers and their individual contributions in the pre-Internet days of mixtapes and word of mouth are often overlooked and at risk of being lost forever. In his book, "The Come Up," Jonathan Abrams, the New York Times bestselling author, presents the most comprehensive account of hip-hop's rise, a multi-decade chronicle told through the voices of the people who made it happen.

Over three years, Abrams conducted over three hundred interviews with DJs, executives, producers, and artists who witnessed and played a significant role in shaping hip-hop's history. Through masterful storytelling, Abrams weaves together these diverse voices into a seamless symphonic narrative, tracing the genre's evolution from the resourcefulness of a neglected population in the South Bronx to its spread across New York City, and beyond. The book explores hip-hop's journey from electrifying live gatherings to radio and vinyl, its influence on the Mason-Dixon Line, its evolution into gangster rap and G-funk, and its impact across generations.

One of the notable aspects of "The Come Up" is Abrams' on-record interviews with key figures in hip-hop, such as Grandmaster Caz, Edward "Duke Bootee" Fletcher, DMC, and Ice Cube. These interviews provide intimate insights into hip-hop's infancy, the origins of iconic songs like "The Message," the role of DMC in introducing hip-hop to the mainstream, and the breakthrough and influence of N.W.A.

"The Come Up" is a valuable addition to the literature on hip-hop, offering a comprehensive and immersive perspective on the genre's evolution and its impact on culture. It sheds light on the stories of the pioneers who laid the foundation for hip-hop and their contributions, which have often been overlooked or marginalized. By preserving these stories and sharing them with a wider audience, Abrams ensures that the legacy of hip-hop continues to be celebrated and preserved for future generations.

Weight: 632g
Dimension: 153 x 233 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800752771