Five Percenter Rap

The Five Percent Nation is a controversial organization and a substantial cultural force. An offshoot of the Nation of Islam, the group grounds its beliefs in Black Muslim traditions, black nationalism, Kemetic (ancient Egyptian) symbolism, Masonic mysticism, and Gnostic spirituality. Members are often recruited in prison, and non-African Americans are allowed to join as secondary members only after an initiation period of thirty-five years. The Five Percenters employ commercial rap, or "God Hop," to proselytize their beliefs, comment on relevant issues, and recruit new members.

Felicia Miyakawa is Assistant Professor of Musicology at the Robert W. McLean School of Music, Middle Tennessee State University. She lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Acknowledgments

ix

Introduction: God Hop

1

(8)

History and Theology of the Five Percent Nation

1 Building a Nation

9

(14)

2 The Five Percenter "Way of Life"

23

(1)

God Hop's Tools

23

(113)

3 Lyrics

41

(32)

4 Flow, Layering, Rupture, and Groove

73

(27)

5 Sampling, Borrowing, and Meaning

100

(23)

6 Album Packaging and Organization

123

(13)

Conclusion: Reaching the Blind, Deaf, and Dumb

136

(5)

Appendix: Five Percenter Rap Musicians

141

(2)

Glossary

143

(2)

Notes

145

(24)

Bibliography

169

(8)

Discography

177

(2)

General Index

179

(8)

Index of Songs and Performers

187

(4)

Music Credits

191

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials