Cynthia Biggs is one of the last of the renaissance
women: grand artist, exemplary teacher and superb
scholar. Her musical artistry has sustained many of
us in the works of Patti LaBelle, the Stylistics, the
Jones Girls and Teddy Pendergrass. Her inspiring
teaching has touched thousands of students in the USA
and abroad. And her first-rate scholarship is
manifest in this pioneering book on Hip Hop,
plutocratic capitalism and empire.
This book is profound, poignant and provocative. It
takes seriously a subtle class analysis of American
society that serves as the backdrop for probing the
complex cultural phenomena known as Hip Hop. It
takes us into the intimate worlds of Hip Hop artists
by means of interviews and lyrical expressions. And
it challenges us to keep track of progressive and
prophetic artists in the present age of Obama.
I am blessed to be a genuine friend, colleague and
comrade of this grand artist, exemplary teacher and
superb scholar in her quest for beauty and crusade
for justice.
Cornel West, Princeton University
women: grand artist, exemplary teacher and superb
scholar. Her musical artistry has sustained many of
us in the works of Patti LaBelle, the Stylistics, the
Jones Girls and Teddy Pendergrass. Her inspiring
teaching has touched thousands of students in the USA
and abroad. And her first-rate scholarship is
manifest in this pioneering book on Hip Hop,
plutocratic capitalism and empire.
This book is profound, poignant and provocative. It
takes seriously a subtle class analysis of American
society that serves as the backdrop for probing the
complex cultural phenomena known as Hip Hop. It
takes us into the intimate worlds of Hip Hop artists
by means of interviews and lyrical expressions. And
it challenges us to keep track of progressive and
prophetic artists in the present age of Obama.
I am blessed to be a genuine friend, colleague and
comrade of this grand artist, exemplary teacher and
superb scholar in her quest for beauty and crusade
for justice.
Cornel West, Princeton University