Focusing on personal insights and social critiques, the book features Chuck D's fierce and passionate visual art paired with evocative prose. It showcases his unique perspective as a prominent figure in music and activism, blending creativity with commentary on societal issues. The work reflects his commitment to addressing important themes through an artistic lens, making it a compelling read for fans and those interested in cultural discourse.
The tragedy of gun violence is depicted in annotated illustrations that illuminate a society gone hamn; from legendary hip-hop artist Chuck D (Public Enemy, Prophets of Rage, etc.) In Summer of Hamn , legendary hip-hop artist Chuck D takes on gun violence with rhythmic, inventive writing and passionately raw art. He has long spoken out against gun violence, including how it intersects with rap and hip-hop culture. Summer of Hamn is the bound journal Chuck D carried with him in the summer of 2022—a summer marked by a particularly high rate of gun death.In these pages, victims are memorialized, politicians are skewered, and vehement pleas to eradicate gun violence are made. Jaw-dropping statistics (40% of all personal guns in the world are owned by US citizens; there are 100 million more guns in the US than there are citizens) intersect with poetic reflections ("Another mall shooting seems normalized in Columbus / Raining outside in Ohio / Raining inside folks panic / Inside hearing shots bust"), all written in Chuck's hand over vibrant, utterly original, neoexpressionist ink and watercolor art. This book is the follow-up to STEWdio the debut trilogy on Chuck D's Enemy Books imprint, in which he invented a new medium—the "naphic grovel"—a bound journal brimming with his observations and reflections of current events in both art and prose. Summer of Hamn is the second release on the imprint.
Chuck D, the creative force behind Public Enemy and one of rap music's most outspoken, politically active and controversial figures, discusses his views on a range of issues, including rap, race, politics and society.
A one-of-a kind survey of rap and hip hop history from 1973 to today by Chuck D, arguably the most influential rapper in the world. In the more than 40 years since the days of DJ Kool Herc and "Rapper's Delight," hip hop and rap have become a billion-dollar worldwide phenomenon. Yet there is no definitive history of the genre-until now. Based on Chuck's long-running show on Rapstation.com, this massive compendium details the most iconic moments and influential songs in the genre's recorded history, from Kurtis Blow's "Christmas Rappin'" to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill to Kendrick Lamar's ground-breaking verse on "Control." Also included are key events in hip hop history, from Grandmaster Flash's first scratch through Tupac's holographic appearance at Coachella. Throughout, Chuck offers his insider's perspective on the chart toppers and show stoppers as he lived it. Illustrating the pages are more than 100 portraits from the talented artists specializing in hip hop.
Chuck D's debut book delivers a powerful commentary on pressing social issues, including Hollywood's influence, racial dynamics, and the music industry's challenges. He addresses the tragic murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G., alongside discussions on drugs and the critical themes of education, economics, and enforcement. With a call to action, he emphasizes the importance of unity in shaping a better future, urging both celebrities and marginalized youth to collaborate and take control rather than remain passive victims.
