The History of Rap Music

by Cookie Lommel

Published 1 January 2001
Bom of African-American frustrations in the 1970s, rap music first came to prominence with the Sugar Hill Gang's 'Rapper's Delight' (1979). Since then, rap and the hip-hop culture that surrounds it have pervaded all our lives. The History of Rap Music examines rap through three decades, from the impact of ground-breaking rappers like Kurtis Blow, Run-DMC, and Public Enemy, to successful contemporary artists such as Lauryn Hill, Snoop Doggy Dogg, and will Smith. It also looks at the rap world's influence on language, dance, and fashion. Plus a chronology of rap, some classic rap albums, suggested books, and morel

Black Filmmakers

by Cookie Lommel

Published 1 November 2001
-- Tells the stories of notable groups of people of color -- A companion series to the award-winning Black Americans of Achievement biographies Generation X film fans probably know Spike Lee, but few know who paved the way for him and future black filmmakers. This title sheds light on the all-but-forgotten names of the past.