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July 06, 2005

Hiphop Lit: The Serious Question

Chances are that if they come, they'll come through Bomani or perhaps through Negrophile. There's no direct link between Honeysoul and here and EJFlavors doesn't do links any longer. I live in the same town as Mister JT but we don't know each other. So that's why I ask a question that might not be answered.

Who is the best hiphop author?

What is the literature of the today's hiphoppers? There has got to be something to grab onto here. See, I'm tempted to come out the side of my neck, but I really want an honest answer - and I'll roll with that.

Posted by mbowen at July 6, 2005 08:46 AM

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Comments

I give up, Cobb. Every time I try to post something I get: "Your comment was denied for questionable content. "

Posted by: Matt at July 6, 2005 02:13 PM

That happens sometimes when your IP address doesn't translate well through Movable Type. Rest assured that it's not interpreting your words. Email them to me and I'll insure that they get through.

Posted by: Cobb [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 6, 2005 02:21 PM

I like Paul Beatty , Latasha Diggs, Terrance Hayes, Willie Perdomo, Holly Bass ,Victor Lavalle , Saul Williams, Thomas Sayers Ellis , Major Jackson , Kyle Dargan , Tyehimba Jess, Sharan Strange just to name a few. These are the writers i look to as holders of the torch when it comes to what is being called "Hip hop literature". They are writers who take their craft seriously and demonstrate such by careful study of the tradition of african american letters.
What the publishing industry has packaged as hip hop literature, neither capture the "true" aesthetic and craft eleemnts of hip hop , nor is it worthy to be called literature.

Posted by: Fred Joiner at July 8, 2005 01:56 PM

I've got you linked, man. As a matter of fact, you're Bloglined and have been for quite a while. You know how it is, I'm a reader, but I'm always in the background. As for the best Hip Hop author, that's a good question. As I don't read a lot of books (I'm more online and reading from the computer than anything) but I do have to say that this year, Jeff Chang's Can't Stop, Won't Stop is my book of the moment. Other ones that I continuously vibe to online are Lynne D. Johnson, and Oliver Wang who has published works that I would recommend, just on the strength of his blog and I'm hoping to delve in a little more.

Posted by: ej [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 9, 2005 06:08 PM