Acknowledgments Every book is the culmination of knowledge both on the part of the writer and researcher as well as all the others who were interested in finding out more about a similar topic. Hip hop is a complex cultural phenomenon that critics, scholars, and participants have been writing about for over 30 years. I am indebted to the large body of work, including books, films, and music, which has informed this book. A special thanks to George Butler for his patience in working with ever-extending deadlines. Many thanks to Geoff Harkness for access to his I Am Hip Hop research archives. I’m grateful to the Georgetown University-Qatar library, the premier research library in the country. Without its support and services I could not have had access to the materials needed to write this book. I also thank Fatima Mussa for leads on interviews and Jennifer Martens for her research assistance. Lastly to the b-boys, b-girls, DJs, MCs, and graffiti artists who were there when it all began, thank you for sharing with us your creativity, energy, and drive which have created one the most vivid cultures of the twentieth century—hip hop. And to those who are still at it, even now, all over the world: and ya’ don’t stop, ya’ll. ix
Previous Page Next Page