The Five Percenters : Islam, Hip Hop and the Gods of New York

Sensationalized and reviled as black America's Hell's Angels, The Five Percenters (also known as the Nation of Gods and Earths) began as a cluster of outcasts from the Nation of Islam's Harlem mosque in the 1960s. Led by a man named 'Allah', the Five Percenters originally believed that all black men were gods. From their marginalized beginnings, their history has been charged with drama: the war between Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad, the Attic prison revolt, Brooklyn turf gangs, the 1980s crack empires and now counting high profile hip-hop stars such as RZA, Rakin and Lord Jamar among their members. With unrivalled insider access to the movement's elders, oral tradition and community literature, Knight reveals the hidden reality behind the myths, rumours and hearsay, and explores the origins and development of this misunderstood community. Sensationalized and reviled as the Hells Angels of Black America, the Five Percenters (also known as the Nation of Gods and Earths) began as a cluster of outcasts from the Nation of Islams Harlem mosque in the 1960s. Led by a man named Allah, the Five Percenters taught the citys black youth that they were gods. From their marginalized beginnings, the movements history has been charged with drama, spanning the war between Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad, the Attica prison revolt, Brooklyn turf gangs and 1980s crack empires. Now counting several hip hop stars amongst their ranks, including RZA, GZA, Rakin, and Lord Jamar, the Five Percenters profile is arguably greater than their parent organization, the Nation of Islam. With a cast of characters ranging from Malcolm X to rap stars 50 Cent and the Wu-Tang Clan, Knights exciting work is the first detailed account of the organization inextricably linked with black rights, Islam, New York and hip hop. The first serious treatment of the Five Percenters as a legitimate value system and culture with its own traditions, Knight investigates the communitys icons and history, examining its appeal in youth culture. Also covering the status of women and non-blacks within the movement, he explores why the organization has often been greeted with negative publicity. With unrivalled insider access to the movements elders, oral tradition and community literature, Knight reveals the hidden reality behind the myths, rumours and hearsay, and explores the origins and development of this misunderstood community. Fast-paced and compelling, The Five Percenters will captivate anyone with an interest in hip-hop, intrigue or Urban American sub-culture. Michael Muhammad Knight converted to Islam at 16 after reading the Autobiography of Malcolm X, and at 17 traveled to Islamabad, Pakistan to study at Faisal Mosque. His debut novel, The Taqwacores, is credited with influencing the American Muslim woman-led prayer movement and has also inspired a nascent Islamic punk rock scene. With A Cast Of Characters Ranging From Malcolm X To 50 Cent, Knight's Work Is The First Detailed Account Of The Movement Inextricably Linked With Black Empowerment, Islam, New York, And Hip Hop. Containing Unrivalled Insider Access To The Movement's Elders, Oral Histories, And Community Literature, This Fast-paced Investigation Uncovers The Five Percenters' Icons And Heritage, And Examines Their Growing Influence In Urban American Youth Culture. Including Coverage Of Brooklyn Turf Gangs, The Attica Prison Uprising, 1980s Crack Empires, And The Stars Of Five Percenter Rap, Knight Explores The Origins And Development Of This Controversial Community, And Reveals The Hidden Reality Behind The Myths, Rumours, And Hearsay.--jacket. Contents1. Mecca; 2. Desert Fathers; 3. Clarence And Malcolm; 4. The Blood Brothers; 5. Allah; 6. The Burning Mosque; 7. Matteawan; 8. Allah And The Mayor; 9. Swarms Of Devils; 10. The Lives Of Nations; 11. Warrior Stripes; 12 Belly Of The Beast; 13 Song Of The Gods; 14. The Builders Build; 15. Mothers Of Civilization; 16. The Azreal Question; 17. The Road To Cream City; 18. Show And Prove. Michael Muhammad Knight. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 274-296) And Index. "With a cast of characters ranging from Malcolm X to 50 Cent, Knight's work is the first detailed account of the movement inextricably linked with black empowerment, Islam, New York, and hip hop. Containing unrivalled insider access to the movement's elders, oral histories, and community literature, this fast-paced investigation uncovers the Five Percenters' icons and heritage, and examines their growing influence in urban American youth culture." "Including coverage of Brooklyn turf gangs, the Attica prison uprising, 1980s crack empires, and the stars of Five Percenter rap, Knight explores the origins and development of this controversial community, and reveals the hidden reality behind the myths, rumours, and hearsay."--BOOK JACKET. Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 7 List of Plates......Page 9 Introduction......Page 12 Mecca......Page 18 Desert Fathers......Page 26 Clarence and Malcolm......Page 49 The Blood Brothers......Page 59 Allah......Page 66 The Burning Mosque......Page 82 Matteawan......Page 91 Allah and the Mayor......Page 109 Swarms of Devils......Page 134 The Lives of Nations......Page 147 Warrior Stripes......Page 159 Belly of the Beast......Page 177 Song of the Gods......Page 194 The Builders Build......Page 204 Mothers of Civilization......Page 225 The Azreal Question......Page 243 The Road to Cream City......Page 254 Show and Prove......Page 275 Appendix of Names......Page 288 Notes......Page 291 With unrivalled insider access to the movement's elders, oral tradition and community literature, the author reveals the controversial history of the Five Percenters.