Reddit reviews Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists

If you guys are looking for a certified book on Rap, please consider Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists . It's a little old now (about 10 years out of date) but it is a fucking fantastic read if you have even a slight interest in rap music. Great coffee table book that you can just pick up and flip to a random section and be thoroughly entertained.

Edit: It's also very funny. I'll give someone 5 grand if they can find me that Biz Markee dummy.

Thats not Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists

You can get a used copy of Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists on Amazon for very cheap. It was published in 1999 but it's a great read.

I love hip hop and read a ton of books. Unfortunately the genre's literary canon isn't particularly spectacular. Here is a list of a few books that are actually really good reads on hip hop.

Ego Trip's Big Book of Rap Lists Tons of trivia and a great balance of being informative and entertaining/funny. It's clear that all the contributors really love hip hop. It was written in 1999 and primarily focuses on stuff from 1988-1996, which is totally fine by me.

Check the Technique Rappers and producers giving a track-by-track analysis of their classic albums. Quality of individual chapters is somewhat contingent on the rapper's writing ability and willingness to share (Slick Rick's portion was unfortunately pretty lacking in detail) but there are some gems. Features the Wu-Tang Clan, Tribe Called Quest, the Roots, and a lot more. The sequel was just released in November (featuring 3rd Bass, Company Flow, Ice Cube, among others) and I thoroughly enjoyed that one too.

The Big Payback If you have any interest in the history of the business of hip hop. Traces everything from Rapper's Delight to the present. A long read that is only worth seeking out if you care about the business of the genre, but if you find that appealing you will really enjoy it.

Hip Hop Family Tree Comic series about history of rap. I don't know how far the artist plans to go but right now he has completed 1977-1983. A lot of history and it looks good too.

How to Rap About the craft of rhyming from the rappers themselves. Features contributions from Kool G Rap, Q-Tip, Pharoahe Monch, Chuck D, and others. I liked this one more than Book of Rhymes which touches upon similar subjects. How to Rap 2 is also very good and touches upon some advanced flow concepts.

Ego trip's book of rap lists. http://www.amazon.com/Ego-Trips-Book-Rap-Lists/dp/0312242980. This is a must read. It's kinda old. I've had it for at least 10 years.