In many ways, Kanye West breaks the mold of the hip-hop superstar. Initially a much sought-after producer of other artists' albums (Jay-Z, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Mobb Deep, Cam'ron, John Legend), West had great difficulty getting a record contract for his own work. His father was a Black Panther-turned photojournalist and born again Christian counselor, and his mother was a university English professor. West was thought to lack the "street cred"...

Five-time Grammy Award winner Missy Elliott creates something fresh and original with every new album. She has a natural confidence and a style all her own. Growing up in Virginia, Missy wrote and performed songs all the time for anybody who would listen. Since her first album in 1997, Missy has had 6 platinum albums, a feat that has never been accomplished by any other female rapper. She is a record producer, clothing designer, and charity spokeswoman...

There seems to be nothing that Alicia Keys hasn't done. She sings, plays the piano, writes, acts, and even has her own charity. She has been a performer since she was very young, and now she is one of the most famous women in the world of hip-hop. She sang at the Great Wall of China, recorded a hit duet with rapper Jay-Z, and doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Readers get to take a close look at this endlessly talented entertainer.

Kanye West is controversial and undeniably talented. An unlikely hip-hop star from Chicago, he first started as a music producer in New York. Kanye has produced an extraordinary number of hit songs for other superstars of rap. His first chart-topping solo album forever changed the world of hip-hop. In this book, vibrant photographs put the spotlight on Kanye's unique sense of style while the text focuses on the story of his rise in the music industry....

Book 2 covers the early years of 1981-1983, when Hip Hop makes its big transition from the parks and rec rooms to downtown clubs and vinyl records. While many performers use flamboyant personas to stand out from the audience, a young group called RUN-DMC comes on the scene to take things back to the streets. This volume introduces superstars like NWA, The Beastie Boys, Doug E Fresh, KRS One, ICE T, and early Public Enemy. Cameos by Dolemite, LL Cool...

With a childhood that was made up of no father, being beat up by schoolmates, and dropping out of high school, no one expected much from Eminem, but in that same childhood, Eminem would find an escape from it all through hip-hop music. Not only does this hip-hop biography stress his struggles coming up, but it highlights how Eminem has become one of the most successful hip-hop stars of all-time.

Regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all-time, Jay-Z didn't always have the greatest life. In fact, growing up he faced more hardships and conflicts than any person should ever have to deal with, but this hip-hop biography will show how Jay-Z took those hardships and turned them into success by becoming arguably the best rapper ever and a very wise businessman.

Ludacris knew from a young age that he wanted to work in the music industry, but while most rappers don't usually go this route, attending college was a choice that seemed very logical for Ludacris. In this hip-hop biography on Ludacris, everything from his childhood to his move to Atlanta to the internship that changed his life will be covered.

Book 4 charts the rise of Dr. Dre and Def Jam records, and introduces new branches on the ""tree"": Will Smith, Salt-N-Pepa, Rakim, and Biz Markie. This volume is also jam-packed with films Hollywood released in an attempt to cash in on the phenomenon, like Breakin', Breakin' 2 Electric Boogaloo, Beat Street, Krush Groove and more.

Describes various aspects of hip-hop culture, including DJing, MCing, breakdancing, and graffiti.