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Original Gangstas
Original Gangstas: The Untold Story of Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, and the Birth of West Coast Rap | Ben Westhoff
10 posts | 4 read | 13 to read
"Raw, authoritative, and unflinching ... An elaborately detailed, darkly surprising, definitive history of the LA gangsta rap era."---Kirkus, starred review A monumental, revealing narrative history about the legendary group of artists at the forefront of West Coast hip-hop: Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, and Tupac Shakur. Amid rising gang violence, the crack epidemic, and police brutality, a group of unlikely voices cut through the chaos of late 1980s Los Angeles: N.W.A. Led by a drug dealer, a glammed-up producer, and a high school kid, N.W.A gave voice to disenfranchised African Americans across the country. And they quickly redefined pop culture across the world. Their names remain as popular as ever--Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, and Ice Cube. Dre soon joined forces with Suge Knight to create the combustible Death Row Records, which in turn transformed Snoop Dogg and Tupac Shakur into superstars. Ben Westhoff explores how this group of artists shifted the balance of hip-hop from New York to Los Angeles. He shows how N.W.A.'s shocking success lead to rivalries between members, record labels, and eventually a war between East Coast and West Coast factions. In the process, hip-hop burst into mainstream America at a time of immense social change, and became the most dominant musical movement of the last thirty years. At gangsta rap's peak, two of its biggest names--Tupac and Biggie Smalls--were murdered, leaving the surviving artists to forge peace before the genre annihilated itself. Featuring extensive investigative reporting, interviews with the principal players, and dozens of never-before-told stories, Original Gangstas is a groundbreaking addition to the history of popular music.
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Well-ReadNeck
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Seen at the Decatur Book Festival!! #DBF2018

😂📚😂📚😂📚😂📚😂📚😂📚😂📚😂📚

Jee_HookedOnBookz I was there too! Loved this shop! 6y
187 likes1 comment
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TelevisionNeighbor
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Sunday night reading.

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TracyC
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Beautiful day to read up on the origins of Dr. Dre and Eazy-E.

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Jen2
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Pickpick

Really fun audiobook!!!!

LauraBrook Who's the narrator? #stacked 7y
Polina I double that question) 7y
Jen2 I think it was the author. He was really good!! 7y
79 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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sammisho
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Pickpick

My husband is happy I am done with this audiobook, and will no longer be sending him texts with random hip hop facts.
This book was so interesting and put into perspective the fact that gangsta rap was born out of real violence, poverty, racial discrimination, police brutality and drug abuse. Gangsta rap has become this vintage, ironic, kitchsy thing, but the reality is that it was truly a dangerous game.
#awesomeaudiobooks

27 likes2 stack adds
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sammisho
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When two audiobooks become availble at the same time...after being on hold for weeks! Which one should I listen to first?
#awesomeaudiobooks

MarriedtoMrT Shadowshaper! It's fabulous on audio. 7y
Yeah_I_Read I heard Shadowshapers is really good 😊 7y
17 likes2 comments
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LisaMakeWords
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Not the best month for reading, and even though I planned to read during my Thanksgiving break, I read zero books. Too much going on and too much turkey. However, I am already in the saddle again. Here's hoping Christmas Break is better. I am so close to 100 books for the year.

DebinHawaii Good job with November and with your yearly count! 🎉📚👍😀 8y
16 likes1 comment
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LisaMakeWords
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Pickpick

This book needs a spot on reading lists for Black Lives Matter. Detailed & unflinching on the rise of gangsta rap in the era of crack, Rodney King, & crumbling cities, this book gives context to issues alive today. A chronicle of how N.W.A. voiced the anger, spirit & frustration of black youth and stuck it in politicians, the FBI and white america's living rooms. Equally fascinating is the close look at how music pioneers, though flawed, operated.

LisaMakeWords I read this book over the weekend which I didn't expect. Should say since it was released in August it does work up all the way through 2015's Straight Outta Compton. It's got hundreds of firsthand interviews by the author. That's part of why it's so good. It's not glorifying. It gives facts, even the terrible abuse of women and violence. 8y
17 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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LisaMakeWords
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I started this book yesterday, and OH MY GOD I couldn't put it down. It's a fascinating and engrossing story. It's not just fluff though. It has researched facts and first person accounts. Very readable for nonfiction. #nonfictionnovember

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Cat13
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Waiting for the kiddo in class, gonna crack this open.