Farrar, Sraus and Giroux provided an early galley for review.

Back in 2021, I read Questlove's Music Is History and enjoyed it. I knew his knowledge would again provide an entertaining and enlightening read with this new book.

I was at just the right age for music discovery (my teen years) when hip-hop came into being. Thus, I appreciated that the first chapter dives right in at the start in 1979. My own exposure to the evolution of hip-hop over that first decade was reinforced by the next couple of chapters as well.

What I liked about this book was that it is not meant to be a thorough history of hip-hop. In fact, it mostly a primer that is built around Questlove's own experiences in the genre first as a consumer and later as a musician. It is meant to serve as a beginning and an introduction that should be followed by the reader's own in-depth exploration.

I also enjoyed the section that came at the end - the hip-hop songs that Questlove wanted to put some extra focus on. There was a lot here I myself will need to look into in the future. I suspect this homework will be quite enjoyable.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! Questlove has such a passion and knowledge of this world and his experience and expertise pulls you into it with him. This book gives readers a deeper appreciation for such an important and often overlooked part of our culture and entertainment. I would certainly use excerpts of this book in a variety of different ways in my classes, such as a history or for its insights into creativity and the music industry.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux for an advance copy of this history of a musical genre, combined with the personal reflections of a person who was made, by the music, what certain songs, and performers mean to him, and where Hip-Hop might be going in the future.

There are a few things I know for sure. Water is wet, one needs oxygen to breath, and Questlove has forgotten more about music than I will ever know. All music. Questlove, aka Ahmir K. Thompson was founder of the band The Roots, was musical director for the Tonight Show and won an Oscar for his documentary Summer of Soul, and is also the writer of several books on music, life and food. Hip-Hop Is History, written with Ben Greenman is an oral history of the genre told by a man who has been a fan since the beginning, and traces both the rise of the music with his career, and interactions with other performers.

The book has its origins with the author's inability to say no. Questlove was asked by the people putting together the Grammys to produce a segment on the history of hip-hop. This was not only a tremendous honor, but also a tremendous burden. How to tell a history of music, with so many songs, so many performers, popular, unpopular, singers who faded away, and performers who never got their due. In thirteen minutes. Questlove loves the difficult and even with lots of problems, network interference, artists egos and more, pulled it off. In doing this Questlove began to look at his relationship to hip-hop, how his life was made and changed by music, and the many people he met on the way. The starts with the origins of the music, the beats and samples that would become famous, along with stories about Questlove finding the music, hitting record stores, reading magazines, sharing mixtapes and more. The book is not a complete history, but is an overview, along with stories, behind the scenes information, along with Questlove's commentary on why certain songs work, don't work, or why a song shouldn't work, but they were able to pull it off and here is how.

The book is a history and a biography about a genre, and about Questlove. This is not a ranking book a top 500 songs list or anything like that. Questlove talks about the performers, and their music, and what they mean to him. Questlove is honest about what he missed, what he didn't get, or was late to the party in picking up, which is refreshing. What comes across most is that Questlove loves music. Making music, listening to music, talking about music, and what music does for the soul. This is not a book one goes, I can't believe he likes that, why didn't he mention this guy. This book is based on his ears, his heart and what he loves. The writing is very good, loaded with information, funny stories, scary stories and sad stories. And lots of great music. I was unfamiliar with the artist J Dilla, now I can't seem to stop listening to him, especially his final album. I have Questlove to thank for that.

Music fans will enjoy this immensely. There is a lot to take in, and a lot to learn. And a lot to listen to. Questlove is like that cool older brother, though I think we are the same age. Listen to this, this why this song is big, you never heard of this guy, well play this. I enjoyed this book quite alot, not just for the music, but for what I learned about Questlove.

Absolutely fantastic book. Questlove is a very talented and I was addicted to reading this book. So so so good.

Synopsis: An in-depth history of hip hop thought out the last 40+ years.

Thoughts: Since I was born in 1980, hip hop has been a part of my life but this book takes my knowledge to another level. At times the history and all the song references were intense- lots of dates, artists and song names. I needed to pull up a lot of the songs I wasn’t aware of and listen. It taught me a lot and learned about new songs too! A bonus at the end is a list of Questlove’s top songs which I immediately made myself a Spotify playlist because it was that good of a list!

Thank you to Questlove: Farrar, Straus & Giroux; and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this! I appreciate the writing style and I like the structure (half decades). Full disclosure this is a genre I know very little about, but it's my partner's favourite (with R&B). It's a good sign for me when I'd already downloaded another Questlove book by the time I was half through!

As posted to Goodreads @puggester

Hip-Hop IS History by quest love

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this ARC. all opinions are my own 🫶🏾

Pub date June 11th 2024

Genre 📚 history, arts and photography

What a great Contemporary music history book. Questlove did an amazing job narrating the book. I’ve always been a fan of his work. He is talented and knowledgeable so his expertise really helped me get excited, dive deep and explore the rise of hip hop. He discusses the evolution of hip hop and the modernization of technology to help advance the sounds of this genre that made it become popular and mainstream. The book will help you understand the cultural significance and impact of this art form and how the passion for music shapes our lives.

5 Shiny Stars!
Questlove's "Hip-Hop Is History" is a captivating and insightful exploration of hip-hop's evolution, delivered with the passion and expertise that only Questlove could provide.

From its humble beginnings in the 1970s to its status as a cultural phenomenon, Questlove traces the roots of hip-hop with a blend of personal anecdotes, cultural analysis, and historical context. As a young Black kid immersed in Philadelphia's music scene, Questlove's journey mirrors the rise of hip-hop itself, making his perspective uniquely intimate and authentic.

What sets this book apart is Questlove's ability to balance reverence for hip-hop's iconic moments with a deep dive into its lesser-known gems. He skillfully weaves together stories of chart-topping hits and influential underground tracks, creating a rich tapestry that celebrates the diversity and creativity of the genre.

Questlove's encyclopedic knowledge shines through as he delves into the creative and cultural forces that shaped hip-hop, offering readers a comprehensive yet engaging narrative. His passion for the music is palpable on every page, making "Hip-Hop Is History" not just a book about hip-hop, but a love letter to the genre and its impact on society.

Whether you're a die-hard hip-hop fan or someone looking to understand the cultural significance of this art form, Questlove's book is a must-read. It's a masterful blend of personal reflection, cultural analysis, and historical documentation, presented with the flair and authenticity that only Questlove can deliver. "Hip-Hop Is History" is not just hip-hop's story—it's Questlove's history, and a testament to the enduring power of music to shape our lives.

Thanks to Questlove the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Fantastic overview of the history of hip hop from someone who's studied it religiously since near-birth. Always insightful, honest, and open. Amazing book. As good as "Go Ahead in the Rain" but less from a fan's POV. Need to go back and read his earlier works after reading this one.

Hip-Hop Is History by Questlove is hands down one of the best books on contemporary music history I have ever read. The title may be slightly miscontrued, but it is all about perception and after you read the book, you will likely change it in your mind ot "Hip Hop IS History"

Questlove outlines the book in the introduction and this in itself gave a wonderful taster of this incredibly talented musicians highly knowledgable and personable narrative which immediately hooked me in, detailing the accepted beginnings of HipHop at a party in 1973 but expanding on this and why it could be seen as a springboard for a movement as opposed ot a definitive start date.

The book then goes on to explore the evolution of Hip Hop through the years, from a personal perspective as well as a social one, and on to advancements in technology and culminating in an absolutely blinding playlist that is organised by years in the same way the chapters are (this has my sensibilities firing on all of their happy cylinders!)

If you like music, history, and a really, really good read, then this is for you

Thank you to Netgalley, Farrar, Straus and Giroux | AUWA and the author Questlove for this stunning ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own