Word Is Bond - by Syreeta Gates (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A treasure trove from the golden era of hip-hop journalism, featuring groundbreaking articles, oral histories, and never-before-seen photos and artifacts--expertly curated by a renowned archivist

In the early days of the hip-hop industry--long before hip hop became American pop music, before the sanitized protocols of the larger music industry took over with regimented press days and ever-present publicists--mainstream media essentially ignored the culture while hip hop journalists were in the trenches with young artists, record label owners, stylists, and photographers. Each unknowingly played a critical part in deciding what the future of this global cultural movement would look like. Yet for its essential role, early hip-hop journalism is a hidden treasure. Most of the '80s and '90s magazines that shaped the culture are not available anywhere, not even online.

Word Is Bond is the first book that uncovers those magazine pages in their original form, contextualized with the riveting stories behind the articles, from the editorial offices to the music studio to their impact on today's generation of fans and cultural critics. With unprecedented access to this history through pages, photos, and first-person accounts of the people that lived it, readers can feel like they're back at those desks, covering the latest albums, or sitting up in their rooms, poring over profiles of their favorite artists.

In addition to the visuals, Word Is Bond features a who's who of some of today's most influential cultural creators with articles and oral histories from journalists like dream hampton, Mimi Valdés, Cheo Hodari Coker, and Joan Morgan. With this history finally being told by the scribes who recorded it, Word Is Bond is both a celebration and a corrective: finally, the story of hip-hop journalism is brought out of the shadows and into the mainstream consciousness.

About the Author

Syreeta Gates is an art collector, an archivist, and the founder of The Gates Preserve, a multimedia company committed to archiving and preserving hip hop culture such that it lasts forever. She produces "Yo Stay Hungry," a live culinary competition that bridges hip hop with food, and is co-owner of Most Incredible Studio, which celebrates the artists and moments that elevate and define hip-hop culture--through LEGO. She has produced several short films and a feature-length documentary, Shaping the Culture, which covers the history of hip-hop in print from copy machines to tweets. Gates has been featured in Forbes, Red Bulletin, Black Enterprise, and many other outlets. She holds a bachelor's degree in urban youth culture from Hunter College and a master's degree in archiving and preservation from New York University.