Encyclopedia of Hip Hop Literature - by Tarshia Stanley (Hardcover)

About the Book

Hip Hop literature, also known as urban fiction or street lit, is a type of writing evocative of the harsh realities of life in the inner city. Beginning with seminal works by such writers as Donald Goines and Iceberg Slim and culminating in contemporary fiction, autobiography, and poetry, Hip Hop literature is exerting the same kind of influence as Hip Hop music, fashion, and culture. Through more than 180 alphabetically arranged entries, this encyclopedia surveys the world of Hip Hop literature and places it in its social and cultural contexts. Entries cite works for further reading, and a bibliography concludes the volume.

Coverage includes authors, genres, and works, as well as on the musical artists, fashion designers, directors, and other figures who make up the context of Hip Hop literature. Entries cite works for further reading, and the encyclopedia concludes with a selected, general bibliography. Students in literature classes will value this guide to an increasingly popular body of literature, while students in social studies classes will welcome its illumination of American cultural diversity.

Book Synopsis

Hip Hop literature, also known as urban fiction or street lit, is a type of writing evocative of the harsh realities of life in the inner city. Beginning with seminal works by such writers as Donald Goines and Iceberg Slim and culminating in contemporary fiction, autobiography, and poetry, Hip Hop literature is exerting the same kind of influence as Hip Hop music, fashion, and culture. Through more than 180 alphabetically arranged entries, this encyclopedia surveys the world of Hip Hop literature and places it in its social and cultural contexts. Entries cite works for further reading, and a bibliography concludes the volume.

Coverage includes authors, genres, and works, as well as on the musical artists, fashion designers, directors, and other figures who make up the context of Hip Hop literature. Entries cite works for further reading, and the encyclopedia concludes with a selected, general bibliography. Students in literature classes will value this guide to an increasingly popular body of literature, while students in social studies classes will welcome its illumination of American cultural diversity.

Review Quotes

"For students and general readers, Stanley (English, Spelman College) presents an encyclopedia of hip hop literature that contains about 180 alphabetical entries on fiction and memoirs written by and for members of the hip hop generation, including Love Don't Live Here No More and Flyy Girl, as well as discussion of individuals such as activists, cultural critics, performers, novelists and playwrights; concepts like postmodernism and the spoken word movement; cultural criticism; key films such as Boyz N The Hood; magazines; books on music and black popular culture; publishers; and poetry." --Reference & Research Book News

About the Author

Tarshia L. Stanley is Associate Professor of English at Spelman College. She has contributed to a wide range of reference works and monographs.