465 pages of truly essential reading for anyone that considers themselves a “head.” Chang does a phenomenal job of juxtaposing hip-hop and history, giving the music a context. My only complaint: it ends somewhat abruptly at the 2000 DNC protests. It’s a good ending, mind you, but I felt like it snuck up on me.

Great stuff and I look forward to seeing a follow-up in another 15 years.

The first 200 pages cover hip-hop through 1982. I don’t think any other book has given the early days (which began well before “Rapper’s Delight”) that much space.

Great, in that it gives true historical and cultural context to the movement and albums that have shaped hip-hop over the last 30+ years.