The main question in the movie “Brown Sugar” that magazine editor Sidney Shaw asked is “When did you first fall in love with Hip-Hop?” Here are eleven Hip-Hop books that will make you remember. This list will support all Hip-Hop lovers, whether you’re a newbie or have been a fan from its inception.

Intro to Hip-Hop: This is a list for kids or newcomers who need an introduction to Hip-Hop

1. ‘Hip-Hop Family Tree ‘Book 3: 1983-1984 by Ed Piskor

Comic book artist, Ed Piskor, released the third installment of his series “Hip Hop Family Tree” illustrating the hip-hop movement from the early 80s. Piskor gives the reader a nostalgic feeling as they experience the stories of Hip-Hop legends.

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2. Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation by Jeff Chang

Journalist Jeff Chang tells the story of the creation of Hip-Hop from Kingston, Jamaica and the Bronx in the early 70s. Chang uses the original interviews from activist, graffiti artists, gangs, b-boys and rappers to carry the story of the Hip-Hop’s influence on American history and culture.

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3. Hip Hop Files: Photographs, 1979-1984 by Martha Cooper

Martha Cooper, a photojournalist from Baltimore, shows the visual side of hip-hop through photographs taken in the late 70s to early 80s in New York. The photographs of b-boys, writers, DJs and graffiti artists allows the world to become immersed in the hip-hop culture. This is the tenth anniversary of the Hip Hop Files and the book has been translated into three different languages.

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Medium Hip-Hop: This is the breakdown of the core of Hip-Hop describing the inner workings from politics to business styles.

4. The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop

Journalist Dan Charnas tackles the gritty business side of Hip-Hop over a span of 40 years. Charnas tells the story of how Hip-Hop became a multi billion dollar industry using successful marketing strategies to sell albums.

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5. Queens Reigns Supreme: Fat Cat, 50 Cent, and the Rise of the Hip Hop Hustler by Ethan Brown

The book tells the origin of the gangster culture infiltrating Hip-Hop music through police wiretaps and drug pin interviews. Brown highlights the pivotal moments in Hip-Hop from the southeast Queens prospective in a 25 year span.

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6. The Wu-Tang Manual by The RZA

The RZA give readers an inside look at the creation of the infamous 1990s group, Wu-Tang. All members have intricate biographies that describe their names, philosophies and passions. The book includes pictures of RZA visiting China with Sifu Shi Yan-Ming and discusses the groups fascination with martial arts and eastern philosophy.

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7. The Gospel of Hip Hop By KRS One

KRS One, known as “The Teacha,” breaks down the meaning of Hip-Hop and the culture in this 800 paged manual. The book describes Hip-Hop beyond music and takes on a philosophical perspective. This book is a spiritual guidance reference that discusses the true meaning of Hip-Hop and why it was created.

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Advanced Hip-Hop: This is for the Hip-Hop heads who understand the history and the impact but are in search of more knowledge through critiques and analysis from a global perspective.

8. Born to Use Mics by Michael Eric Dyson, ‎Sohail Daulatzai

Academic scholars critique the lyrics of rapper Nas’ 1994 album Illmatic. Editors Michael Eric Dyson and Sohail Daulatzai examine Illmatic track by track with commentary from Marc Lamont Hill and Mark Anthony Neal.

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9. Hip Hop Matters: Politics, Pop Culture, and the Struggle for the Soul of a Movement by Samuel Craig Watkins

Samuel Craig Watkins depicts a great discussion on the importance and the value that Hip-Hop has on American culture. Watkins also discusses the politics of Hip-Hop and shines light on the issues within Hip-Hop culture.

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10. Decoded by Jay-Z

Jay-Z dives into his lyrics and gives readers an analysis of the lyrics to some of his tops songs. This may not be a biography, but the book takes you into the mentality of Shawn Carter from his own perspective.

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11. Hip-Hop Cultural Odyssey by Jordan Sommers

This book is great to add to your coffee table collection and describes the culture of Hip-Hop from the past four decades. The book includes the biographies of 40 game changers in Hip-Hop along with 30 essays and interviews from people who have witnessed the culture first hand.

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