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Hip-hop is celebrating its golden anniversary this year, and an adorable children’s book topped Amazon’s bestseller’s list in the rap/hip-hop category, more than two years after its release. The Story of Rap, originally released in May 2019, shares the story of how rap music “shaped generations and brought a voice to the voiceless,” according to the book’s description.
The picture book notes the birth of hip-hop in 1973 and mentions other important components in hip-hop culture such as DJing. “DJs mixed beats for dancing crowds, speakers thumped, and the bass was loud,” reads a passage from the book.
Grandmaster Flash, Run-DMC, A Tribe Called Quest and other rap pioneers are featured in The Story of Rap along with newer stars like Kendrick Lamar. There’s even a mention of the East Coast/West Coast beef complete with childlike illustrations of Tupac and Biggie.
“Tupac faced Biggie as East battled West,” reads one page while another notes that “soul met hip-hop with A Tribe Called Quest.”
The Story of Rap is a cute way to help commemorate hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. The genre is being celebrated with brand collaborations, tours, TV specials, documentaries, commemorative concerts, albums and more.
On Sunday (June 25), the 2023 BET Awards honored five decades of hip-hop with a jam-packed lineup that featured performances from Migos, Trick Daddy, Trina, E-40, Warren G, Uncle Luke, Big Daddy Kane, Chief Keef, 69 Boyz, Remy Ma, Ja Rule, Kid ‘N Play, MC Lyte, Master P, Soulja Boy, Redman, Jeezy, Tyga, Ice Spice, Coi Leray, Latto, Crime Mob, Doechii, Freeway, Lola Brooke and Busta Rhymes who also received this year’s lifetime achievement.
The Story of Rap is part of The Story Of book series by Silver Dolphin Books, which includes The Story of Country, The Story of Pop and The Story of Rock.
The book typically retails for $8.99, but if you’re looking to save a couple of bucks, it’s on sale for $5. Other hip-hop kid’s books joining The Story of Rap on the bestseller’s list include When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc & the Creation of Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop Speaks to Children: 50 Inspiring Poems with a Beat and The Notorious A.B.C. Board Book.
Want more ways to teach music to the kiddies? A Little Golden Book Biography is another popular series of children’s book featuring Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson and other music stars. Some of the upcoming titles in the series include Bruce Springsteen: A Little Golden Biography due on Sept. 5 and The Beatles: A Little Golden Biography on Nov. 7.
Purchase The Story of Rap below.
The Story of Rap
This story originally appeared on Billboard
