In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, a genre that has spurred an influential culture, redefined sound, and given an edge to American music, comes a momentous volume, ‘LL COOL J Presents The Streets Win’. Co-authored by hip-hop luminary LL COOL J, esteemed journalist Vikki Tobak, and Rock The Bells’ editorial director Alec Banks, this volume not only commemorates the inception of hip-hop but also charts its meteoric rise and continual evolution.
These authors present an intimate and detailed journey into the heart of hip-hop through a visually arresting collection of rarely seen photographs. From humble beginnings at block party performances to high-energy recording studio sessions, the genre’s journey is captured in all its vibrancy. The images, an artistic blend of street shots, parties, and intimate sessions, are punctuated by first-person recollections from key figures within the hip-hop community.
Recounted stories reveal the experiences of hip-hop’s MCs, B-Boys, graffiti artists, and DJs – their initial encounters with hip-hop, their breakthroughs in the industry, their style inspirations, and their thoughts on the genre’s culture and music. These narratives are woven from the experiences of luminaries such as DJ Kool Herc, Salt-N-Pepa, MC Lyte, KRS-One, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Grandmaster Flash, Run-D.M.C., Beastie Boys, De La Soul, Slick Rick, Public Enemy, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Big Daddy Kane, Fat Joe, DJ Khaled and many more.
The pages of this commemorative volume are a visual feast, showcasing images by renowned hip-hop photographers like Joe Conzo Jr., Ernie “Brother Ernie” Paniccioli, Jonathan Mannion, Janette Beckman, Estevan Oriol, Jamel Shabazz, Mike Miller, Clay Patrick McBride, and others. Sprinkled throughout are fascinating ephemera, including album covers, notebook sketches, lyrics, party announcements, street scenes, clothing, and graffiti art.
‘LL COOL J Presents The Streets Win’ immortalizes the past fifty years of hip-hop, making it a must-have keepsake for both music and photography enthusiasts as it encapsulates the most important origin stories from a half-century of hip-hop culture.
