You are here

Listening to Rap

Listening to Rap cover image of Missy Elliott performing
Listening to Rap
Berry, Michael. Listening to Rap: An Introduction. New York: Routledge, 2018.

Over the past four decades, rap and hip hop culture have taken a central place in popular music both in the United States and around the world. Listening to Rap: An Introduction enables students to understand the historical context, cultural impact, and unique musical characteristics of this essential genre. Each chapter explores a key topic in the study of rap music from the 1970s to today, covering themes such as race, gender, commercialization, politics, and authenticity. Synthesizing the approaches of scholars from a variety of disciplines—including music, cultural studies, African-American studies, gender studies, literary criticism, and philosophy—Listening to Rap tracks the evolution of rap and hip hop while illustrating its vast cultural significance.

Status of Research or Work: 
Completed/published
Research Type: 
Share