meant to answer this yesterday and I had something all typed up too but then I left and it is gone.
I don’t know why people want to read rap, out of context and especially if you just don’t know slang or how to even pick up on it then what’s the point? Seems more like an exercise in transcribing than anything if they even bother, energy is better spend fixing all the failed aspects of ohhla.
Anyways what I would rather see than any of these books on the science of an specific artist or lets read rap with grad students is a documentary in the style of Dirty States of America. I’m much more interested in the development of regional styles and how they reflect the local scenes that they come from and the crews that they spawned. I don’t need another book telling me th abc’s of rap history or breaking down multi-syllables. I’d rather hear stories than read about the science of breath control.
What’s awesome about Dirty States is how it focuses on regional scenes and sounds. It’s really well done and surpassed my expectations by far. If you haven’t seen it I can’t recommend it enough, it’s worth it just to see J-Dawg gangster walk in hiking boots. That and all the old memphis footage was pretty awesome.