Hip-Hop Is History

At a Bronx house party on August 11, 1973, rhetoric and rhyme were reborn in the form of rap, through isolated sounds or breakbeats performed by DJ Kool Herc. Filmmaker, drummer, DJ, music historian, and cofounder of the Roots, Questlove gives a nostalgic account of the kaleidoscopic 50-year history of rap and hip-hop (written with Ben Greenman, with whom he also collaborated on several books, including 2021’s Music Is History). Questlove narrates the audio version of his book in full swag, bringing a bold, self-assured sense of confidence as he imparts knowledge of the genre and examines its rippling effects on culture, music, art, and even fashion. Accompanied by snippets of hip-hop beats and samples, the audio takes listeners through decades of music history, describing artists, producers, and group dynamics while tracing the innovations and achievements that vibrated with the energy of the streets, strained against social conventions, and challenged political discourse. Listeners won’t want to miss the epilogue, where Questlove dynamically relates his vision of hip-hop’s future through 2073.