Fact Friday: The Roots of Rap: 16 bars on the 4 pillars of Hip-Hop by Carole Boston Weatherford

Image: Little Bee Books

The Roots of Rap: 16 bars on the 4 pillars of Hip-Hop by Carole Boston Weatherford. Illustrated by Frank Morrison. 48 p. Little Bee Books, January, 2019. 9781499804119. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Fact Friday features The Roots of Rap: 16 bars on the 4 pillars of Hip-Hop by Carole Boston Weatherford. I'll put it right out there. I loved this book! This gorgeous picture book dazzles from end-page to end-page and is the perfect marriage of text and illustration. 

After a forward written by producer and musician, Swiss Beatz, Weatherford's connects the rich past of African American storytelling and singing and poetry as a direct path to the rise of Hip-Hop music in a sprightly, rhythmic poem whose words flow beneath each double-page painting. Morrison's art pulses with life. Each spread exudes energy and spirit. Do not rush past these spreads. And don't skip the back matter! There's both an author an illustrator note, a glossary, and a timeline.

The Roots of Rap is a first-purchase. It's a must-read for all lovers of music as well as non-musicians.