In the Heart of the Beat: The Poetry of Rap (African American Cultural Theory and Heritage) by Alexs D. Pate


In the Heart of the Beat: The Poetry of Rap (African American Cultural Theory and Heritage)
Title : In the Heart of the Beat: The Poetry of Rap (African American Cultural Theory and Heritage)
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 0810860082
ISBN-10 : 9780810860087
Language : English
Format Type : Hardcover
Number of Pages : 176
Publication : First published January 1, 2009

Despite its extraordinary popularity and worldwide influence, the world of rap and hip hop is under constant attack. Impressions and interpretations of its meaning and power are perpetually being challenged. Somewhere someone is bemoaning the negative impact of rap music on contemporary culture. In In the Heart of the The Poetry of Rap, bestselling author and scholar Alexs Pate argues for a fresh understanding of rap as an example of powerful and effective poetry, rather than a negative cultural phenomenon.

Pate articulates a way of "reading" rap that makes visible both its contemporary and historical literary values. He encourages the reader to step beyond the dominance of the beat and the raw language and come to an appreciation of rap's literary and poetic dimensions. What emerges is a vision of rap as an exemplary form of literary expression, rather than a profane and trendy musical genre. Pate focuses on works by several well-known artists to reveal in rap music, despite its penchant for vulgarity, a power and beauty that is the heart of great literature.

In the Heart of the Beat: The Poetry of Rap (African American Cultural Theory and Heritage) Reviews

  • Joshua Finnell

    Library Journal Review:

    The literary valuing of rap as poetry has gained significant traction in the 21st century, e.g., see Imani Perry’s Prophets of the Hood: Politics and Poetics in Hip Hop and Adam Bradley’s Book of Rhymes: The Poetics of Hip Hop. Novelist Pate (African American & African studies, Univ. of Minnesota; West of Rehoboth) locates the genre’s genesis within the 1960s–70s black arts movement, arguing that the oppositional style and cadence of rap flow directly from the poets within this literary period. Pate provides a rubric through which scholars may analyze the rap aesthetic by utilizing seven elements—e.g., saturation, language, imagery, and flow—and grouping individual songs into ten thematic categories, ranging from social critique to spirituality.
    Verdict A sophisticated analysis of rap/poetry such as this is necessary if rap is to be evaluated for its composition, permanence, and significance. Pate’s accessible writing style will captivate scholars as well as fans of rap, poetry, and the evolving culture of hip-hop.—Joshua Finnell, Denison Univ. Lib., Granville, OH

  • Kasandra

    If you already enjoy rap and listen to it as poetry/think about it in literary terms (at least some of it), you'll find this book a bit simplistic, but still enjoyable. However, if you think you hate rap, or if you refuse to listen to it because some of it is misogynistic, racist, sexist, violent, or incomprehensible, this book could be enlightening. Pate addresses the literary roots of rap and its place in hip-hop culture, and it takes rap/poets seriously. A number of song lyrics are listed and examined, and further readings are given. Probably won't introduce the fan of rap to any artists he/she hasnt' heard of, unfortunately.

  • Shila

    I've shared this book at poetry club meetings. I read the raps like poetry. Pretty cool and very effective. Nice info.

  • Steve McCann

    This book is a must for any spotify/rdio/itunes listener ...