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Nelson
George's Hip Hop America
Reviewed by William Mills
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Nelson George's Hip Hop America initially reads like a popular culture
treatise on ghetto folk music and those who love it; however, the author is able to pull
another use from the manuscript by using it as an insider's biography of the music.
Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin, Teddy Riley, Sean 'Puffy' Combs and others who keep this beat
box soap opera going are described with candid intimacy.
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George's journalistic style and eye opening ironies
describe the different personalities and situations that comprise hip hop fame. Through
descriptions of how Will Smith 'keeps it real' about being middle class; urban America's
suburban marketing appeal; Black Nationalism co-existing with hedonistic materialism and
other aspects of hip-hop culture, George forces you to examine the futility in summing up
hip hop as a monolithic experience. There are major forces at play in life's
contradictions; and to George, hip hop's imitation of them makes the music viciously
resilient.
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While George further secures a place in
the spotlight as a veteran reporter in rap music's war for respect, the light is seldom
introspective. We understand the source of George's inner conflict with hip-hop and why in
the end he champions the music, but there are few pictures of his personal experiences. |
"[W]hat makes your rump shake is an important aspect of life."
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After reading the book, we know George is captivated
by the various generations of hip-hop high drama that have ruled the airwaves, corporate
offices, and American youth culture. Unfortunately we do not know what he was doing the
first time he got sway back and started to shake his butt to Eric B's solo in Jodi
Wately's "Friends". Although his analysis works without it, what makes your rump
shake is an important aspect of life.
M
June 1999
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