Book of rhymes : the poetics of hip hop

If asked to list the greatest innovators of modern American poetry, few of us would think to include Jay-Z or Eminem in their number. And yet hip hop is the source of some of the most exciting developments in verse today. The media uproar in response to its controversial lyrical content has obscured hip hop's revolution of poetic craft and experience: Only in rap music can the beat of a song render poetic meter audible, allowing an MC's wordplay to move a club-full of eager listeners. Examining rap history's most memorable lyricists and their inimitable techniques, literary scholar Adam Bradley argues that we must understand rap as poetry or miss the vanguard of poetry today. Book of Rhymes explores America's least understood poets, unpacking their surprisingly complex craft, and according rap poetry the respect it deserves. 0465003478......Page 1 Contents......Page 8 Prologue......Page 10 Rap Poetry 101......Page 12 PART ONE......Page 26 ONE. Rhythm......Page 28 TWO. Rhyme......Page 74 THREE. Wordplay......Page 110 PART TWO......Page 144 FOUR. Style......Page 146 FIVE. Storytelling......Page 182 SIX. Signifying......Page 200 Epilogue......Page 230 Acknowledgments......Page 240 Credits......Page 244 Notes......Page 246 A......Page 260 C......Page 261 D......Page 262 F......Page 263 I......Page 264 K......Page 265 M......Page 266 P......Page 267 R......Page 268 S......Page 270 W......Page 272 Z......Page 273 Examining Rap History's Most Memorable Lyricists And Their Inimitable Techniques, Literary Scholar Adam Bradley Argues That We Must Understand Rap As Poetry Or Miss The Vanguard Of Poetry Today. Book Of Rhymes Explores America's Least Understood Poets, Unpacking Their Surprisingly Complex Craft, And According Rap Poetry The Respect It Deserves. Prologue -- Rap Poetry 101 -- Rhythm -- Rhyme -- Wordplay -- Style -- Storytelling -- Signifying -- Epilogue. Adam Bradley. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 221-234) And Index.