Hip-Hop Is History
The New York Times bestseller
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'A must-read for old-school hip-hop heads and burgeoning fans alike'
Time
'Hip Hip is not History, it's Our story. Brilliant book'
Craig Charles
'A detailed chronological retelling of the genre's story'
Guardian
In this landmark book, Hip-Hop Is History, Grammy- and Academy Award-winning filmmaker and NYT bestselling author, Questlove, skilfully traces the creative and cultural forces that made and shaped hip-hop, highlighting both the forgotten but influential gems and the undeniable chart-topping hits-and weaves it all together with the stories no one else knows. It is at once an intimate, sharply observed story of a cultural revolution and a sweeping, grand theory of the evolution of the great artistic movement of our time. And Questlove, of course, approaches it with not only the encyclopaedic fluency and passion of an obsessive fan but also the expertise and originality of an innovative participant.
Hip-hop is history, and also his history.
Time
'Hip Hip is not History, it's Our story. Brilliant book'
Craig Charles
'A detailed chronological retelling of the genre's story'
Guardian
In this landmark book, Hip-Hop Is History, Grammy- and Academy Award-winning filmmaker and NYT bestselling author, Questlove, skilfully traces the creative and cultural forces that made and shaped hip-hop, highlighting both the forgotten but influential gems and the undeniable chart-topping hits-and weaves it all together with the stories no one else knows. It is at once an intimate, sharply observed story of a cultural revolution and a sweeping, grand theory of the evolution of the great artistic movement of our time. And Questlove, of course, approaches it with not only the encyclopaedic fluency and passion of an obsessive fan but also the expertise and originality of an innovative participant.
Hip-hop is history, and also his history.
- Published: Jun 05 2025
- ISBN: 9781399621632
Press Reviews
- Publishers Weekly
Questlove interweaves sharp and lyrical analyses of hip-hop's evolution with fascinating, up-close recollections of the genre's turning point...It's an exuberant account of a dynamic musical genre and the cultural climate in which it evolved
- Craig Charles
Hip Hop is not History, it's Our story. Brilliant book.
- Kirkus Reviews
A memorable, masterful history of the first 50 years of an indelible American art form...[Questlove's] observations spanning the entirety of hip-hop's history are consistently illuminating... [His] instincts as a superfan and artist take this history beyond the hype to something very special
- Booklist
This is a must-read for music lovers, cultural history buffs, and hip-hop fans... Questlove's illuminating and insightful survey is as personal as it is expert
- Guardian
Hip-Hop Is History melds a detailed chronological retelling of the genre's story with occasionally hair-raising memoir
- Time
A must-read for old-school hip-hop heads and burgeoning fans alike
- The Week
The musician and Oscar-winning director traces the first 50 years of hip-hop... Questlove pairs the history of hip-hop with a personal reflection on how the genre shaped his identity during his childhood in Philadelphia
- Observer
Nobody knows more about hip-hop, and perhaps popular music in general, than Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson...a wonderful ride, coloured by personal digressions and crisp observations
- Herald
Hugely readable...an encyclopaedic and idiosyncratic personal history of rap music now that it is more than 50 years old...[Questlove is] great at catching the sonic thrill and originality of the music. Nearly every page will have you jumping onto YouTube just to listen to the tunes he's talking about
- Moonbuilding
With Questlove, his world is wrapped up in that history. So you get the story mixed with his personal experience. It's also beautifully written
- Buzz Magazine
Engaging and deeply knowledgeable
- Financial Times
Sharp insights...[an] engaging chronology...entertaining
- Guardian
Questlove radiates passion, knowledge, wit and profundity as he reflects on this ever-evolving art form
- The Washington Post
[Questlove] is an affable and expert tour guide through the annals of hip-hop, as adept at spinning yarns as he is at spinning records
- Los Angeles Times
A trip worth taking. Questlove's embedded narration of the infamous 1995 Source Awards . . . shows the author at his storytelling best
- Parade
[Questlove is] a major artist and a major fan. With co-author Ben Greenman, [he] covers fifty years of hip-hop with insight, passion and the geeky love of a true believer . . . Not to be missed
- PopMatters
Like a window looking deep into the workings of a pretty special hip-hop mind . . . Entertaining and authoritative . . . [Questlove] uses his knowledge and experience to his advantage in every way, bringing unique and fresh perspectives. His well-honed instincts are spot-on . . . Immensely entertaining