In the Heart of the Beat - (African American Cultural Theory and Heritage) by Alexs Pate (Hardcover)

About the Book

In the Heart of the Beat argues for a fresh understanding of rap as an exemplary form of literary expression, rather than a profane and trendy musical genre. Pate focuses on works by several well-known artists to reveal in rap music, despite its penchant for vulgarity, a power...

Book Synopsis

In the Heart of the Beat argues for a fresh understanding of rap as an exemplary form of literary expression, rather than a profane and trendy musical genre. Pate focuses on works by several well-known artists to reveal in rap music, despite its penchant for vulgarity, a power and beauty that is the heart of great literature.

Review Quotes

A sophisticated analysis of rap/poetry such as this is necessary if rap is to be evaluated for its composition, permanence, and significance. Pate's accessible writing style will captivate scholars as well as fans of rap, poetry, and the evolving culture of hip-hop.

My son [Ahi Baraka] put the book in my hand and said, 'This is one of the best books I've read.'

Pate presents a strong case for the artistic and cultural importance of rap, analyzing lyrics and artists from multiple angles....This warts-and-all study of one of the preeminent art forms of today is vital and compelling, especially for dedicated listeners.

The best parts of the book are those where Pate lists the words from popular rap music and opens the readers' minds to the imagery, the meaning, the structure, form, rhythm, and flow of the words . . . Pate does an excellent job of providing the reader with a new light and better perspective on rap music and its significant role in all of society but especially the African American culture.

What Pate has accomplished here is nothing less than an aesthetic standard for rap as poetry, which he tests against various examples of the rap genre....This is a groundbreaking work, necessary for connoisseurs of both poetry and rap music.

About the Author

Alexs Pate is Associate Professor of African American and African studies at the University of Minnesota. Pate is the best-selling author of Amistad: A Novel Based on the Screenplay and Losing Absalom, which received a Minnesota Book Award and was named Best First Novel by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.