It’s a rapper’s delight with this week’s “So You Want To Read Comics”.  This is our weekly feature where we take a look at a single topic or genre, then give you two comic book recommendations, perfect for new readers, based on that topic or genre.  This week we’re taking a look at hip hop.

On August 11th, 1973 a party was thrown in a backyard of a home in The Bronx.  This party just happened to be presided over by DJ Kool Herc.  Backed by his signature style of alternating from one beat to another on his turntables, his friends and others started to trade rhymes with each other.  Thus, hip hop was born, making this year (2023) the 50th anniversary of its creation. Even though it had humble beginnings, hip-hop has gone on to become one the most, if not the most, influential musical genres in pop culture today, not just in the US but globally as well.  Since its creation hip hop has gone through its fair share of evolutions like the gangsta rap of the early to mid-90s, the emergence of distinctive southern sounds in the 2000s, all the way to the proliferation of “mumble rap” of the last decade. Regardless of these changes, hip hop has remained popular and has found itself the subject of movies like Hustle & Flow, shows like Empire, and even the subject of a class at Harvard.

Here are a couple of graphic novels that are perfect reads for any fan of hip-hop and its impact on the world.

HIP HOP FAMILY TREE

Writer: Ed Piskor
Artist: Ed Piskor
Publisher: Fantagraphics

While there’s been a few comic book series that have touched on the history of hip hop, but none as definitive and complete as what you’ll find in Hip Hop Family Tree.  Starting right from the first days of hip hop and continuing on into its rise to prominence in the mid to late 80s, this series combines the well known faces and events of hip hop history, with the lesser known to craft an elaborate web of people and places that come together to become the genre we all know and love.  The level of care by Ed Piskor, given to this topic can have only been done by someone who has a deep appreciation for the subject and it shows in this comic.  Beyond the quality of the writing, this series features a cartoon-y art style that never goes so far as to be considered caricature, but plays with the idea of realism in order to better convey the events that the narration is trying to share.  Currently there are four volumes of this series that can all be read physically and digitally, the latter being free with a Comixology unlimited subscription.

IN SEARCH OF GIL SCOTT-HERON

Writer: Thomas Mauceri
Artist: Sebastian Piquet
Publisher: Titan Comics

For every Drake, Jay-Z, or J. Cole, there’s a hundred other names that helped pave the way, even if that was never their intention.  One of those names is Gil Scott-Heron, who is considered by some to be the Godfather of Rap.  While not traditionally a hip hop artist, Gil Scott-Heron’s poetry and mind for social causes, exemplified by his biggest song “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”, has led many hip-hop artists to list him as being influential to their career.  In this non-fiction graphic novel, a writer tells his story of how in the quest to secure an interview with the musician, found himself involved in the aftermath of Scott-Heron’s passing. What comes is an examination of a man trying to speak out against the injustices and ills of the world, while also succumbing to them at the same time.  For fans of hip hop and its history, this is a must-read if for no other reason than to give light to an artist who perhaps hasn’t received the attention he deserved.

Who’s your favorite Hip Hop artist?  What did you think of these recommendations?  Let us know in the comments section below.

---

Dear Spoilerite,

At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.