Hip Hop World

November 1, 2009
Adult/High School-Higgins delivers a thoughtful examination of the globalization of hip-hop. Taking a thematic approach, he examines diverse topics relevant to the music: its back-and-forth ties to drug and gang culture, its preoccupation with money and bling, its overly sexual portrayal of women, issues of race, and more. Early chapters spell out hip-hop's early influences, but Higgins assumes readers have at least some familiarity with the superstars of the industry. Several short interviews with diverse talents like Chicago's The Cool Kids and South African rapper Tumi Molekane go a long way to highlight and reinforce Higgins's concepts. By the end of the book, the author's strong-minded thesis becomes clear: while the quality and importance of hip-hop is diminishing in the West, it is becoming one of the largest and most powerful artistic forces for self-expression and societal change in places like China, Saudi Arabia, and Aboriginal nations inside Canada and Australia. Although one-sided, Higgins's arguments and examples are sure to cause debate. The volume closes with a notes section that highlights works cited in each chapter. Although not a replacement for historical overviews like Jeff Chang's "Can't Stop, Won't Stop" (St. Martin's, 2005), "Hip Hop World" is an excellent title to place alongside it so fans both new and old can look at this art form in a serious, critical way."Matthew L. Moffett, Pohick Regional Library, Burke, VA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2009
Grades 9-12 Unique among youth titles for its international scope, sociological inquiry, and insiders view, this survey of global hip-hop music, part of the Groundwork Guides series, will satisfy both hard-core fans and newcomers alike. Journalist Higgins reaches deeply into hip-hops roots, and teens (and adults) will be fascinated by the connections that he draws between todays music and forms such as Extempo Calypso, a 1920s style popular in Trinidad and Tobago. Also fascinating is his survey of the contemporary hip-hop scene, far off the North American mainstream medias radar, from Morocco to Cuba to South Africa. Higgins casts a frank, critical eye on hip-hops impact, including its notorious sexism and homophobia, as well as the influence of religion and social justice on the movement. The author is upfront about his biases and beliefs (We can all thank Jah for blessing the world with YouTube), but for many readers, that personal candor will only add to the books appeal. Time lines, interviews, and sidebars complete this must-have choice for older readers seeking hip-hop knowledge.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2010
Using slang and plenty of examples, Higgins makes hip-hop culture accessible for the uninitiated; he also manages to keep the conversation elevated enough to engage aficionados (though at times his personal views and informality undermine the informational tone). The text addresses misogyny, homophobia, and violence head-on, celebrating hip-hop and its rich history even while calling for change. Reading list, timeline. Ind.

(Copyright 2010 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)