Hip-Hop and Philosophy: Rhyme 2 Reason (Popular Culture and Philosophy, 16)

Is there too much violence in hip-hop music? What’s the difference between Kimberly Jones and the artist Lil' Kim? Is hip-hop culture a "black" thing? Is it okay for N.W.A. to call themselves niggaz and for Dave Chappelle to call everybody bitches? These witty, provocative essays ponder these and other thorny questions, linking the searing cultural issues implicit — and often explicit — in hip-hop to the weighty matters examined by the great philosophers of the past. The book shows that rap classics by Lauryn Hill, OutKast, and the Notorious B.I.G. can help uncover the meanings of love articulated in Plato's Symposium; that Rakim, 2Pac, and Nas can shed light on the conception of God's essence expressed in St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologica; and explores the connection between Run-D.M.C., Snoop Dogg, and Hegel. Hip-Hop and Philosophy proves that rhyme and reason, far from being incompatible, can be mixed and mastered to contemplate life's most profound mysteries. Should We Stop All The Violence In Hip Hop? Does Po-po Wield Legit Authority In The Hood? Where Does The Real Kimberly Jones End And The Persona Lil' Kim Begin? Is Hip-hop Culture A Black Thang? Is It Unethical For N.w.a. To Call Themselves Niggaz And For Dave Chappelle To Call Everybody Bitches? Is Dead Prez Revolutionary And Gangsta? Yes, Krs-one And Bdp, The Crew Assembled Here Are Philosophers! Believe That. In Hip Hop And Philosophy, This Almighty Posse Is Droppin' Science By Moving From Rhyme To Reason. They Give Props To Great Philosophers And Peep Philosophical Problems Through Hip-hop Lenses While Staying True To The Spirit Of The Culture. They Show And Prove That Rap Classics By Lauryn Hill, Outkast, And The Notorious B.i.g. Can Help Us Uncover The Meaning Of Love Articulated In Plato's Symposium. We See How Run-d.m.c., Snoop Dogg, And Jay-z Can Teach Us About Self-consciousness And The Dialectic In Hegel's Phenomenology Of Spirit. And We Learn That Rakim, 2pac, And 50 Cent Knowledge Us On The Conception Of God's Essence Expressed In Aquinas's Summa Theologica. These Philosophers Delight In Showing Us How A Love For Rhymes Over Beats And For Pure Reason, Far From Being Incompatible, Can Be Mastered And Mixed To Contemplate Life's Most Profound Mysteries. Book Jacket.--jacket. Disk 1. Da Mysteries: God, Love, And Knowledge -- Yo! It Ain't No Mystery: Who Is God? / Derrick Darby -- Ain't (just) 'bout Da Booty: Funky Reflections On Love / Tommie Shelby -- You Perceive With Your Mind: Knowledge And Perception / Mitchell S. Green -- Disk 2. What's Beef? Ruminations On Violence -- Y'all Niggaz Better Recognize: Hip Hop's Dialectical Struggle For Recognition / John P. Pittman -- Rap Aesthetics: Violence And The Art Of Keeping It Real / Richard Shusterman -- F**k Tha Police [state]: Rap, Warfare, And The Leviathan / Joy James -- Disk 3. That's How I'm Livin': Authenticity, Blackness, And Sexuality -- Does Hip Hop Belong To Me? The Philosophy Of Race And Culture / Paul C. Taylor -- Queen Bees And Big Pimps: Sex And Sexuality In Hip Hop / Kathryn T. Gines -- Grown Folks' Business: The Problem Of Maturity In Hip Hop / Lewis Gordon -- Disk 4. Word Up! Language, Meaning, And Ethics -- Knowshatumsayin'? How Hip-hop Lyrics Mean / Stephen Lester Thompson -- Girl Got 99 Problems: Is Hip Hop One? / Sarah Mcgrath, Lidet Tilahun -- For All My Niggaz And Bitches: Ethics And Eptithets / J. Angelo Corlett -- Disk 5. Fight The Power: Political Philosophy 'n The Hood -- Microphone Commandos: Rap Music And Political Philosophy / Bill E. Lawson -- Halfway Revolution: From That Gangsta Hobbes To Radical Liberals / Lionel K. Mcpherson -- Criminal-justice Minded: Retribution, Punishment, And Authority / Erin I. Kelly -- Gettin' Dis'd And Gettin' Paid: Rectifying Injustice / Rodney C. Roberts -- After ... Word! The Philosophy Of The Hip-hop Battle / Marcyliena Morgan. Edited By Derrick Darby And Tommie Shelby. Includes Bibliographical References, Discography (p. 213-216), And Index. Title Page Copyright Contents Foreword Shout Outs From Rhyme to Reason: This Shit Ain't Easy Disk 1 Da Mysteries: God, Love, and Knowledge Track 1 Track 2 Track 3 Disk 2 What's Beef? Ruminations on Violence Track 4 Track 5 Track 6 Disk 3 That's How I'm Livin': Authenticity, Blackness, and Sexuality Track 7 Track 8 Track 9 Disk 4 Word Up! Language, Meaning, and Ethics Track 10 Track 11 Track 12 Disk 5 Fight the Power: Political Philosophy 'n the Hood Track 13 Track 14 Track 15 Track 16 After... Word! The Philosophy of the Hip-Hop Battle Beats & Rhymes! A Selected Discography The Crew The Hip-Hop Head Index "Whad up G?" This is how young godz stepped to older godz hack in the day in my old hood, Queensbridge.