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In May 2010 we asked superproducer
Just Blaze "What Happened To The Remix?" - who would have thought that that answer would make it's way into the pages of the colossal 420-page coffee table book
Hip Hop: A Cultural Odyssey Book?
Bound in black leather and described as "the definitive literary and photographic celebration of the groundbreaking culture," the luxury book features unseen photos by Hip Hop photographer Jonathan Mannion, interviews, essays and profiles on a range of Hip Hop pioneers, legends and players key in the growth and global impact of Hip Hop of Hip-Hop, including
Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, Run-DMC, Queen Latifah, Will.I.Am, Diddy, 50 Cent and
Will Smith.
Afrika Bambaataa penned the book's intro with a further 150 or so artists contributing commentary, including
Cee Lo, Chuck D, Faith Evans, Ice-T, Kool Keith, Method Man, Nelly, ?uestlove and
Spinderella.
Watch our interview with Just Blaze below, along with more details on
Hip Hop: A Cultural Odyssey and how to get your hand on it.
No art form or genre has ever had to justify its very existence the way hip hop does. Whether it is the various accusations levelled at it as having negative effect on society, or the broad generalisations that question its very validity as an art form, it remains a source of huge debate from its very inception. It was always viewed as the new brash kid in school who always has to justify himself.
Well, this kid grew up and has become a force and is becoming harder to ignore as perhaps the voice of the 21st century. This is, of course, amazing considering where it all started. And this is what Ice-T's new documentary Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap attempts to tackle.
Upon playing Shafiq Husayn’s debut solo LP “Shafiq En A-Free-ka” to my 65 year old father (possibly the world’s oldest Sa-Ra fan) his first reaction was, “This isn’t Sa-Ra, is it?” Shafiq whether intentionally or naturally has departed from the “Sa-Ra” sound. A unique sound trademarked half a decade ago when Sa-Ra burst through our speakers with the aptly named “Glorious.” A lo-fi playalistic exploration into digital psychedelia, creating a sonic palette that’s instantly recognisable to its fans.