And It Don't Stop The Best American Hip-Hop Journalism of the Last 25 Years

In September 1979, there was a cosmic shift that went unnoticed by the majority of mainstream America. This shift was triggered by the release of the Sugarhill Gang's single,Rapper's Delight. Not only did it usher rap music into the mainstream's consciousness, it brought us the word "hip-hop."And It Don't Stop, edited by the award winning journalist Raquel Cepeda, with a foreword from Nelson George is a collection of the best articles the hip-hop generation has produced. It captures the indelible moments in hip-hop's history since 1979 and will be the centerpiece of the twenty-fifth-anniversary celebration. This book epitomizes the media's response by taking the reader on an engaging and critical journey, including the very first pieces written about hip-hop for publications likeTheVillage Voice--controversial articles that created rifts between church and state, the artist and journalist, and articles that recorded the rise and tragic fall of the art form's appointed heroes, such as Tupac Shakur, Eazy-E, and the Notorious B.I.G. The list of contributors includes Toure, Kevin Powell, dream hampton, Harry Allen, Cheo Hodari Coker, Greg Tate, Bill Adler, Hilton Als, Danyel Smith, and Joan Morgan. An award-winning journalist,Raquel Cepedahas contributed toRap Pages,Essence,The Source,Vibe,The Village Voice,GQ, and other publications. She also served as editor-in-chief of Russell Simmons'sOneworldand has appeared on various VH-1 programs, as well as on CNN and E!. This is her first anthology. Nelson Georgeis the author of numerous books and novels that examine African-Americans through the prism of popular culture. His recent works includeHip-Hop America, Post-Soul Nation, and the novelNight Work. He co-authored Russell Simmons's autobiography,Life and Def. George was also executive producer of the HBO filmEveryday Peopleand the Trio documentaryThe 'N' Word. In September 1979, with the release of the Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight," a cosmic shift occurred; though it went largely unnoticed by mainstream America, it would eventually give rise to a revolution spanning race and gender, class and culture, taste and commerce.And It Don't Stopis a cutting-edge collection of articles by the writers and journalists who bore witness to this revolutionary shiftnamely, the rise of hip-hop music. This this important anthology traces hip-hop from its origins on the streets of the Bronx to its explosion as an international phenomenon. These writings document the indelible moments in hip-hop's history, from the very first article about break-dancing (by Sally Banes), to Nelson George's profile of Russell Simmons (years before he became a corporate mogul), to Harry Allen's extended obituary for Jam Master Jay (who was murdered in Queens in 2002)pioneering and sometimes controversial articles that created rifts between church and state, artists and journalists, critics and fans. The pieces collected here, totaling nearly 30 altogther, also record the rise and tragic fall of several of the art form's appointed heroes, such as Tupac Shakur, Eazy-E, and the Notorious B.I.G. And It Don't Stopbrings together powerful and provocative articles and interviews by some of the best writers ever to address hip-hop, including Toure, Kevin Powell, Cheo Hodari Coker, Greg Tate, Bill Adler, Hilton Als, Joan Morgan, Selwyn Seyfu Hinds, and others. "An irresistible compilation of the most stylish prose and revelatory interviews of the last twenty-five years on hip-hop,And It Don't Stopis required reading for any serious devotee of contemporary urban culture . . . A glorious reminder of how influential journalists have been, and continue to be, in helping to shape and create this [music]."Jason King, N

Raquel Cepeda, former Editor-in-Chief of OneWorld Magazine, is an award-winning journalist. She has contributed to MTV News, The Village Voice, Source, Vibe, Essence, Jalouse, and many other publications. She lives in New York City.