Sweat the technique : revelations on creativity from the lyrical genius / Rakim ; with Bakari Kitwana.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rakim (Musician), 1968- author.

Kitwana, Bakari, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Rakim (Musician), 1968-.

Rakim.

Rap musicians--United States--Biography.

Rap musicians.

United States.

Lyricists--United States--Biography.

Lyricists.

Rap (Music).

Lyric writing (Popular music).

Genre:

Biographies.

Autobiographies.

Physical Description:

xi, 252 pages ; 22 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York, NY : Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, [2019]

Summary:

The musician and Hip Hop legend--hailed as "the greatest MC of all time" and compared to Thelonious Monk--reimagines the writing handbook in this memoir and guide that incorporates the soulful genius, confidence, and creativity of a master artist. When he exploded on the music scene, musical genius Rakim was hailed for his brilliant artistic style, adding layers, complexity, depth, musicality, and soul to rap. More than anyone, Rakim has changed the way MCs rhyme. Calm on the mic, his words combine in a frenzy of sound, using complicated patterns based on multisyllabic rhymes and internal rhythms. Rakim can tell a story about a down-on-his-luck man looking for a job and turn it into an epic tale and an unforgettable rhyme. He is not just a great songwriter--he's a great modern writer. Part memoir, part writing guide, Sweat the Technique offers insight into how Rakim thinks about words, music, writing, and rhyming as it teaches writers of all levels how to hone their craft. It is also a rare glimpse into Rakim's private life, full of entertaining personal stories from his youth on Long Island growing up in a home and community filled with musicians to the clubs of New York and the studios of Los Angeles during his rise to the top of popular music. Rakim celebrates the influences that shaped his development, including the jazz music of John Coltrane and the spirituality of the streets, and shares anecdotes spotlighting personalities such as L. L. Cool J. and Dr. Dre, among others. Filled with valuable lessons for every writer, Sweat the Technique reveals the heart and mind of an artist and his love for great storytelling, and always, the words.

When Rakim exploded on the music scene, he was hailed for his artistic style, adding layers, complexity, depth, musicality, and soul to rap. Calm on the mic, his words combine in a frenzy of sound, using complicated patterns based on multisyllabic rhymes and internal rhythms. This book, both a memoir and a guide on creativity, offers insight into how Rakim thinks about words, music, writing, and rhyming as it teaches writers of all levels how to hone their craft. -- adapted from jacket

Contents:

Prologue

Intro. The door ; Origins ; From the park to the studio

Purpose. How to emcee ; Find your path ; The Griffins ; True meaning

Inspiration. Mahogany ; Find inspiration to be great ; Lee and Ali ; Coming up ; First loves ; School daze

Spirituality. The mystery (Who is God?) ; Believe in something greater than yourself ; Nation of gods and earths ; Strong Island to Latin Quarter

Consciousness. Musical massacre ; Embrace conscious energy ; From high school to rap star ; The hip-hop throne

Energy. Casualties of war ; Enter the zone ; Divine universal consciousness: frequencies ; Who's gonna take the weight? ; End of an era

Outro. No omega.

ISBN:

9780062850232

0062850237

OCLC:

1119666180