hip hop books

The Notorious B.I.G. Was Larger Than Life. This New Biography Humanizes Him [Interview]

Okayplayer spoke with Justin Tinsley about writing his Notorious B.I.G. book, It Was All A Dream: Biggie and the World… Read More

May 10, 2022

‘Dilla Time’ Author Dan Charnas on Why J Dilla Is In A League Of His Own

We spoke to Dilla Time author Dan Charnas about his extensive new book, J Dilla's complicated relationship with Q-Tip, and… Read More

February 1, 2022

How Tom And Jerry Inspired “C.R.E.A.M.” And Other Interesting Facts From Raekwon’s Memoir

Raekwon released his memoir, From Staircase to Stage, late November last year. It finds the Wu-Tang Clan member telling his life… Read More

January 14, 2022

Cheryl Boyce-Taylor Is Proud To Be A Part Of Phife Dawg’s Legacy

We spoke with Cheryl Boyce-Taylor about her new book Mama Phife Represents, her favorite music from Phife Dawg, the benefits… Read More

January 4, 2021

National Book Club Pays Homage to Nipsey Hussle and His Impact on His Community

The Marathon Book Club meets in Oakland, New York, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. A national book club was created… Read More

January 6, 2020

Soren Baker, the Author of ‘The History of Gangster Rap,’ Talks NWA, Kendrick Lamar & the Status of Gangster Rap in 2018 [INTERVIEW]

Veteran hip-hop journalist Soren Baker documents the history of gangster rap in his new book; we spoke to him about the importance… Read More

September 18, 2018

New Book Service Delivers Books By Black Authors To Your Door

A new subscription book service wants to connect readers with black literature from across the diaspora. Called Noir Reads, the… Read More

January 12, 2017

Read A Book: Questlove’s ‘Something To Food About’ To Feature The World’s Best Chefs

The original hip hop drummer continues his rise as one of the best hip hop authors. Questlove has formally announced… Read More

November 3, 2015

Read A Book: J Cole, Ice Cube & Other MCs Share Their Favorite Literary Works

  Hip-hop's love affair with the literary arts is well documented, from Nas's voracious reading during his teenage years to… Read More

July 29, 2015

Read A Book: New Literary Compilation ‘The BreakBeat Poets’ Blends Hip-Hop With Written Wordplay

  Literary heads take note: a new poetry compilation dubbed The BreakBeat Poets: New American Poetry in the Age of… Read More

April 7, 2015

Read A Book: Pharrell Will Release A “Happy” Book Series For Kids

It seems that "Happy" will never, ever leave us. Pharrell has reportedly inked a deal with the Penguin-owned publisher Putnam… Read More

February 17, 2015

Read A Book (Or 10): Okayplayer’s Fall 2014 Reading List Of Must-Buy Books

Whether you're looking for the best hip hop books, books by Black authors, or the best new music writing, you'll… Read More

November 28, 2014

Read A Book: Jess Row Discusses ‘Your Face In Mine’ + The Possibility of Racial Reassignment Surgery

Your Face In Mine, Jess Row’s fictional examination of racial difference, is one of the most quietly unsettling novels of… Read More

November 28, 2014

Posdnuos Of De La Soul x Mellini Kantayya On Peaking Too Soon [Q&A + Exclusive Book Excerpt]

In Actor. Writer. Whatever (Essays On My Rise To The Top Of The Bottom Of The Entertainment Industry), a revealing collection… Read More

August 5, 2013

Book Ones: Prodigy Of Mobb Deep Speaks On His New Street Lit Imprint Infamous Books

It seems, at first, like an unusual pairing: Infamous, a multi-media company co-owned by Albert “Prodigy” Johnson of the Queens… Read More

August 1, 2013

Read A Book: ‘H.N.I.C.’ – By Prodigy [Of Mobb Deep]

Saturday before last, Prodigy of Mobb Deep dropped in on the Harlem Book Fair, sitting in conversation with Okayplayer literary columnist (and… Read More

August 1, 2013