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Life Lessons from Hip-Hop: 50 Reflections on Creativity, Motivation and Wellbeing
Take control of your narrative and become the best version of yourself with 50 Hip-Hop inspired lessons that will motivate a new generation.
Grant Brydon has interviewed some of the biggest names in hip-hop. Here he shares the creative directions and tips derived from one-on-one conversations with Pharrell Williams, J Cole, Big Sean, Nipsey Hussle, and many more. With chapters covering motivation, creativity, authenticity, mental wellbeing, resilience, and more, the advice gleaned from these important artists' life experiences will help you to face up to your own challenges and inspire you to make simple changes that have major positive consequences.
Lessons
- Award-winning rapper, singer, songwriter and producer J Cole on how to Define Success.
- Grammy award-winning hip-hop- legend Nas on Maintaining Focus on What’s Important.
- A lesson in Committing to Inspiration from Flo Milli, viral TikTok sensation and Best New Artist nominee at the 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards.
- Big Sean on how to Take Time Off and Talk to Someone.
- Multiple BET Hip Hop Awards nominee Action Bronson on how not to be discouraged.
- Kenny Beats – producer of Vince Staples and Ed Sheeran – on the dangers of overthinking.
-Grammy nominated Freddie Gibbs on Integrity.
- Hip-hop royalty Pharrell Williams on the importance of always staying curious.
- Mac Miller on reinvention
Adopt a hip-hop mindset to take control of your own narrative and become the best version of yourself with this book of 50 must-read lessons on creativity and self help that will inspire a new generation. Containing exclusive interviews with billion-streaming artists, including J Cole, Nas, Big Sean, Flo Milli, Action Bronson and many more, alongside contemporary illustrations by Ketu the Artist, which offer a fresh visual take on the self-help genre. This is a must-have volume for fans of hip-hop, alongside individuals with an interest in positive thinking, wellness and self-help.
Quotes
"Grant Brydon compiles many of the major keys from some of the most prolific voices in hip-hop and draws a through-line to the hearts of their success stories... An entertaining and informative read." ― Kathy Iandoli, author of God Save The The Essential History of Women in Hip-Hop
"A thoughtful collection of essays on hard work and creativity that taps into generous anecdotal wisdom about music and life from an array of personalities in the industry, past and present." ― Lance Scott Walker, author of DJ A Life In Slow Revolution
"A brilliant tapestry of story and artistry by a seasoned journalist whose love for hip-hop flourishes here." ― Ciesay, co-founder of PLACES+FACES
Grant Brydon has interviewed some of the biggest names in hip-hop. Here he shares the creative directions and tips derived from one-on-one conversations with Pharrell Williams, J Cole, Big Sean, Nipsey Hussle, and many more. With chapters covering motivation, creativity, authenticity, mental wellbeing, resilience, and more, the advice gleaned from these important artists' life experiences will help you to face up to your own challenges and inspire you to make simple changes that have major positive consequences.
Lessons
- Award-winning rapper, singer, songwriter and producer J Cole on how to Define Success.
- Grammy award-winning hip-hop- legend Nas on Maintaining Focus on What’s Important.
- A lesson in Committing to Inspiration from Flo Milli, viral TikTok sensation and Best New Artist nominee at the 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards.
- Big Sean on how to Take Time Off and Talk to Someone.
- Multiple BET Hip Hop Awards nominee Action Bronson on how not to be discouraged.
- Kenny Beats – producer of Vince Staples and Ed Sheeran – on the dangers of overthinking.
-Grammy nominated Freddie Gibbs on Integrity.
- Hip-hop royalty Pharrell Williams on the importance of always staying curious.
- Mac Miller on reinvention
Adopt a hip-hop mindset to take control of your own narrative and become the best version of yourself with this book of 50 must-read lessons on creativity and self help that will inspire a new generation. Containing exclusive interviews with billion-streaming artists, including J Cole, Nas, Big Sean, Flo Milli, Action Bronson and many more, alongside contemporary illustrations by Ketu the Artist, which offer a fresh visual take on the self-help genre. This is a must-have volume for fans of hip-hop, alongside individuals with an interest in positive thinking, wellness and self-help.
Quotes
"Grant Brydon compiles many of the major keys from some of the most prolific voices in hip-hop and draws a through-line to the hearts of their success stories... An entertaining and informative read." ― Kathy Iandoli, author of God Save The The Essential History of Women in Hip-Hop
"A thoughtful collection of essays on hard work and creativity that taps into generous anecdotal wisdom about music and life from an array of personalities in the industry, past and present." ― Lance Scott Walker, author of DJ A Life In Slow Revolution
"A brilliant tapestry of story and artistry by a seasoned journalist whose love for hip-hop flourishes here." ― Ciesay, co-founder of PLACES+FACES
- GenresNonfictionMusic
144 pages, Hardcover
Published September 6, 2022
8 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 10, 2023
3.5
Estuvo interesante, ver las opiniones y experiencias de tantos artistas y personalidades relacionadas al hip hop. Solo que siento que si cada uno hubiese respondido una pregunta en específico o algo por el estilo uno tuviera la oportunidad de ver una opinión más profunda.
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Life Lessons from Hip-Hop by Grant Brydon is a collection of stories and advice from someone who has interviewed plenty of rappers and hip-hop artists. Topics covered include mental health + well being, motivation, embracing our differences, balance---both in life and within yourself, relationships, and embracing changes as you navigate through life.
It was interesting to see the opinions and experiences of so many artists and personalities related to hip hop. I just feel like if everyone had answered a specific question or something like that, you'd have a chance to see a deeper opinion. A quick and easy way to learn more about the genre.
There's advice from how to be confidence, dealing with criticism and how to be the best version of yourself. I highly recommend you gift this book to those that love this genre of music.
The layout and artwork feel fresh and modern.
Thank you to BookishFirst for this book in exchange for an honest review!
Estuvo interesante, ver las opiniones y experiencias de tantos artistas y personalidades relacionadas al hip hop. Solo que siento que si cada uno hubiese respondido una pregunta en específico o algo por el estilo uno tuviera la oportunidad de ver una opinión más profunda.
---
Life Lessons from Hip-Hop by Grant Brydon is a collection of stories and advice from someone who has interviewed plenty of rappers and hip-hop artists. Topics covered include mental health + well being, motivation, embracing our differences, balance---both in life and within yourself, relationships, and embracing changes as you navigate through life.
It was interesting to see the opinions and experiences of so many artists and personalities related to hip hop. I just feel like if everyone had answered a specific question or something like that, you'd have a chance to see a deeper opinion. A quick and easy way to learn more about the genre.
There's advice from how to be confidence, dealing with criticism and how to be the best version of yourself. I highly recommend you gift this book to those that love this genre of music.
The layout and artwork feel fresh and modern.
Thank you to BookishFirst for this book in exchange for an honest review!
April 11, 2023
My first impression is this book is stunning! The artwork is eye candy and the words are literally music to my ears. I grew up on hip-hop and rap. I love the bass thumping beats and my soul eats up the lyrics. So when I saw this book I knew I had to read it. Old school and new school artists share authentic and Truth filled wisdom and reflection on a variety of topics including: don’t overthink shit, get out of your own head, let people know how you feel, and integrity is timeless. Read the thoughts of Travis Scott, SZA, MAC MILLER, NAS, Rick Ross (The Boss), Pharrell Williams, Wiz Khalifa and so many more. This book truly impressed and motivated me. It would make a great gift for your hip-hop loving friends and is an amazing conversation starter for any coffee table. Shout out to Ketu for the bold and detailed illustrations of the musical artists throughout the book. They are eye-catching and the attention to detail is spot on.
July 5, 2023
Inspirational and insightful! Worth the read!
September 27, 2022
Thank you to DK and BookishFirst for this book in exchange for an honest review!
Life Lessons from Hip-Hop by Grant Brydon is a collection of stories and advice from someone who has interviewed plenty of rappers and hip-hop artists as part of his many jobs. The artists featured here are each famous and successful in their own right. I particularly enjoyed the sections about Lil Peep and Pharrell. In addition to the text, each artist was beautifully-drawn and depicted by the illustrator. I'm sure this book will be inspiration and motivational to many readers.
Here's an interesting excerpt from the pages of J. Cole:
""What does success look like to you?”
I’ve asked hundreds of artists the same
question, and the answers vary
massively. The most common responses
make reference to core values such as
happiness and security, particularly in the
context of friends and family.
Interestingly, a large percentage of the
responses I’ve received begin with a
qualifying statement that success is not
about money. After asking so many
successful people for their definition of
success, my main takeaway has been
that it is different for everyone, and when
setting off on a quest for self improvement,
it’s worth asking: how do
we achieve success if we don’t yet know
what it is?"
Overall, Life Lessons from Hip-Hop is an amazing compendium of interviews with the world's hottest hip-hop stars. One highlight of this book is how it centers Black experiences and serves to motivate and inspire readers. The only reason I took off 1 star is because I'm not personally a huge fan of rap or hip-hop. I'm sure that if I recognized more of these names or had heard their music before, I would appreciate this book a lot more. That's not the book's fault. I'm just explaining why it wasn't a 5-star read for my personally. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're looking for a gift for the hip-hop lover in your life, I recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!
Life Lessons from Hip-Hop by Grant Brydon is a collection of stories and advice from someone who has interviewed plenty of rappers and hip-hop artists as part of his many jobs. The artists featured here are each famous and successful in their own right. I particularly enjoyed the sections about Lil Peep and Pharrell. In addition to the text, each artist was beautifully-drawn and depicted by the illustrator. I'm sure this book will be inspiration and motivational to many readers.
Here's an interesting excerpt from the pages of J. Cole:
""What does success look like to you?”
I’ve asked hundreds of artists the same
question, and the answers vary
massively. The most common responses
make reference to core values such as
happiness and security, particularly in the
context of friends and family.
Interestingly, a large percentage of the
responses I’ve received begin with a
qualifying statement that success is not
about money. After asking so many
successful people for their definition of
success, my main takeaway has been
that it is different for everyone, and when
setting off on a quest for self improvement,
it’s worth asking: how do
we achieve success if we don’t yet know
what it is?"
Overall, Life Lessons from Hip-Hop is an amazing compendium of interviews with the world's hottest hip-hop stars. One highlight of this book is how it centers Black experiences and serves to motivate and inspire readers. The only reason I took off 1 star is because I'm not personally a huge fan of rap or hip-hop. I'm sure that if I recognized more of these names or had heard their music before, I would appreciate this book a lot more. That's not the book's fault. I'm just explaining why it wasn't a 5-star read for my personally. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're looking for a gift for the hip-hop lover in your life, I recommend that you check out this book, which is available now!
August 22, 2022
From a Musicology Perspective, the Life Lessons of Hip Hop gathers stories from artists that apply to getting through one day to day life. "If you don’t like the way things are, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude." – Tupac Shakur
I was recently asked by a friend to write a review of “Life Lessons from Hip Hop”. I had no idea what to expect when I first started reading this book. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of information in this book. It is not only a great read for anyone who is interested in learning about the history of hip-hop, but also for those who are looking for Life Lessons that can be learned from stories hip-hop music tells. You can put a great book on a coffee table to pick up when you really need it! a quick and easy way to learn more about the genre.
The book is written by Michael Eric Dyson, who is an African American professor at Georgetown University. He has been studying the culture of hip hop since the early 1990s. He has written a number of books on the subject, including "Hip Hop America: How It Got Here and Why It’s Still Around" (2001), and “Why I Love Black Boys: Essays on Race and Sexiness” (2003), and “Is Bill Cosby Right? Or Has The Black Middle It is not only a great read for anyone who is interested in learning about the history of hip hop, but also for those who are looking for a way to understand and appreciate the culture of black people.
I was recently asked by a friend to write a review of “Life Lessons from Hip Hop”. I had no idea what to expect when I first started reading this book. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of information in this book. It is not only a great read for anyone who is interested in learning about the history of hip-hop, but also for those who are looking for Life Lessons that can be learned from stories hip-hop music tells. You can put a great book on a coffee table to pick up when you really need it! a quick and easy way to learn more about the genre.
The book is written by Michael Eric Dyson, who is an African American professor at Georgetown University. He has been studying the culture of hip hop since the early 1990s. He has written a number of books on the subject, including "Hip Hop America: How It Got Here and Why It’s Still Around" (2001), and “Why I Love Black Boys: Essays on Race and Sexiness” (2003), and “Is Bill Cosby Right? Or Has The Black Middle It is not only a great read for anyone who is interested in learning about the history of hip hop, but also for those who are looking for a way to understand and appreciate the culture of black people.
February 4, 2023
This is a book that you can flip to any page and find great advice.
I like that the lessons are organized by chapter.
These lessons can help improve your life tremendously if applied one lesson at a time.
There's advice from how to be confidence, dealing with criticism and how to be the best version of yourself.
Lessons are short and to the point, what more do you want and your getting 50 lessons from real life people who lived these lessons and not from someone who did research and then wrote a book about it.
This is one of the best lessons in the book from
Action Bronson
Don't be discouraged
There are many factors that can discourage us from pursuing our dreams, many of which are based on perception.
Often the most powerful distractors come from within, self-doubt creeps up on us, and we talk ourselves out of doing anything that involves risk, playing it safe and remaining where we are. Sometimes this can also come from others who convince us that our aspirations are too far-fetched, which is usually fueled by their own insecurities.
If we allow ourselves to internalize this discouragement, we can become stagnant and limit our opportunities.
Remember that each new Venture brings its doubters.
When we're faced with doubt, whether it be imposter syndrome or the perception of others, we must find it within ourselves to push through and do it anyway.
I like that the lessons are organized by chapter.
These lessons can help improve your life tremendously if applied one lesson at a time.
There's advice from how to be confidence, dealing with criticism and how to be the best version of yourself.
Lessons are short and to the point, what more do you want and your getting 50 lessons from real life people who lived these lessons and not from someone who did research and then wrote a book about it.
This is one of the best lessons in the book from
Action Bronson
Don't be discouraged
There are many factors that can discourage us from pursuing our dreams, many of which are based on perception.
Often the most powerful distractors come from within, self-doubt creeps up on us, and we talk ourselves out of doing anything that involves risk, playing it safe and remaining where we are. Sometimes this can also come from others who convince us that our aspirations are too far-fetched, which is usually fueled by their own insecurities.
If we allow ourselves to internalize this discouragement, we can become stagnant and limit our opportunities.
Remember that each new Venture brings its doubters.
When we're faced with doubt, whether it be imposter syndrome or the perception of others, we must find it within ourselves to push through and do it anyway.
October 25, 2022
I HAD TO HAVE IT...
I'm going to be honest....I just had to have it. I almost didn't care how it read; I just wanted the book. It falls in line with a style that suits my household. Hip hop, and the rappers/singers of that genre giving quotes and thoughts to experiences. I have young adult children and they love and respect many of the rappers and singers mentioned in here so of course I was interested in getting my hands on this book.
Not disappointed with my choice. This book is a well done and artfully created piece of work. Simple but vibrant design. A great gift option. Format is appealing. And it's not some complicated cheesy read. It's got substance but it's done in a way that is easy to follow, interesting enough to remember, and overall, a good experience to read. I like the artists that were selected. I enjoyed the commentary that they shared about their life experiences and their thoughts on that particular subject. The topics discussed are thought provoking and relatable. It shares with us a level of positivity and heart felt thoughts that we don't typically see from artists of this music genre when they are outside of their music. It puts away all the bling and dazzling aspects of who we think they are and gets to the heart of the matter. It's refreshing.
Highly recommend. Also, I highly recommend you gift this book to those that love this genre of music.
I'm going to be honest....I just had to have it. I almost didn't care how it read; I just wanted the book. It falls in line with a style that suits my household. Hip hop, and the rappers/singers of that genre giving quotes and thoughts to experiences. I have young adult children and they love and respect many of the rappers and singers mentioned in here so of course I was interested in getting my hands on this book.
Not disappointed with my choice. This book is a well done and artfully created piece of work. Simple but vibrant design. A great gift option. Format is appealing. And it's not some complicated cheesy read. It's got substance but it's done in a way that is easy to follow, interesting enough to remember, and overall, a good experience to read. I like the artists that were selected. I enjoyed the commentary that they shared about their life experiences and their thoughts on that particular subject. The topics discussed are thought provoking and relatable. It shares with us a level of positivity and heart felt thoughts that we don't typically see from artists of this music genre when they are outside of their music. It puts away all the bling and dazzling aspects of who we think they are and gets to the heart of the matter. It's refreshing.
Highly recommend. Also, I highly recommend you gift this book to those that love this genre of music.
August 15, 2022
This cover is attractive enough to be a coffee table book It is colorful enough to catch attention in the YA section of a library, in a classroom for middle grade on up, or make a good gift. But best of all, it seems to address a universal experience, where people reach a point in life at which they are struggling to find their niche, to decide who they really want (or don't want) as friends, and what they are willing to sacrifice to achieve their goals. Fortunately, the articles in this book also mention important points: one must take time for self care. The author mentions feels that hip hop shows the importance of listening as well as creating and helping people to look beneath the surface and into the soul of a subject. Listening is such an important skill that educators talk about it all the time, and part of the negotiation of peace talks involves listening to the other side. It is unfortunate that there still is such a need for listening to others whose opinions might seem different.
September 13, 2022
Life Lessons From Hip-Hop is an unexpected self-help book that actually doubles for a really great coffee table book. And while that might make it sound a bit stuffy, the book is very approachable for younger audiences as well as older ones! With words of advice and life perspectives from about fifty hip hop artists covering topics that range from motivation to relationships and mental well-being to resilience, there’s something for everyone. It also has such great artwork on every single page. The only caveat I would add about this book is that the intended audience is a person with some level of interest in hip hop. While the advice given throughout the book is applicable to just about anyone, the appeal of this particular book is the author’s approach via musical influences in particular to hip hop. Readers who recognize the artists who contributed to this book and (even better) look up to some of them will likely better absorb the stories and as I’ve given. This is a great book that I’d easily recommend!
October 26, 2022
This book has a lot of potential entry points that will make it appeal to very different audiences. If you're a huge hip-hop fan but not a big reader, the compact, to-the-point, 2-page spreads will make it easy to bounce around to your favorite artists. If you're a huge reader but don't know much about hip-hop, this gives you a way to easily learn a little bit from a large number of artists, and maybe find a few that you want to dive deeper into their work. If you're a big reader and a fan of hip-hop, then say no more, this is the book for you. The artists represented here offer so many unique perspectives, and are wildly different from each other even under the larger "umbrella" of hip-hop, but the author has deftly distilled each section down into a key focus, which brings organization and intention to the book rather than simply being a chaotic collection of thoughts. The layout and artwork feel fresh and modern, and elevate the artists' words as well as the stories behind their music.
August 17, 2022
I think this style of writing and presenting ideas will become the the next most popular form of literature. I know my son would like this book and want to read it. I give the author credit for trying to appeal the the youth of today who may not like reading.
Although everyone is a person of colour, I hope and believe that everyone can relate to the messages. I wasn't sure if this was a self-help book or a story, but either way, I think it will greet the masses positively.
Illustrations are always beneficial because it will appeal the the masses. I am a firm believer of Howard Gardener's Seven Styles of Learning: 1) Linguistic, 2) Logical-Mathematical, 3) Spatial, 4) Musical, 5) Bodily-kinesthetic, 6) Interpersonal, and 7) Intrapersonal. People may learn a little from each style but have a forte in one more than the others. Those who fall into the Spacial category will be the ones who get the most out of the book.
Although everyone is a person of colour, I hope and believe that everyone can relate to the messages. I wasn't sure if this was a self-help book or a story, but either way, I think it will greet the masses positively.
Illustrations are always beneficial because it will appeal the the masses. I am a firm believer of Howard Gardener's Seven Styles of Learning: 1) Linguistic, 2) Logical-Mathematical, 3) Spatial, 4) Musical, 5) Bodily-kinesthetic, 6) Interpersonal, and 7) Intrapersonal. People may learn a little from each style but have a forte in one more than the others. Those who fall into the Spacial category will be the ones who get the most out of the book.
August 20, 2022
I'm not going to give this book too high of a rating because I don't believe that words from a man like Travis Scott should be inspirational. I don't think that he should even be in the book, but that is the author's choice. Other than that, this book is one I would recommend to teens who enjoy R&B and rap. There are some good messages in there from various rappers. This book shows what is and isn't important in life and I firmly believe everyone should listen to what this set group of people have to say.
As someone who isn't too into rap, I enjoyed the bit I read. Some of these people have been through a lot and it takes a lot to persevere. The inspirational text and life skills throughout this book were well worded. I felt that this was very thought-out and I think that is amazing. All in all, having Travis Scott in this book was one of the only things I disliked about it. But, you never know, he can change, just like any other human being.
As someone who isn't too into rap, I enjoyed the bit I read. Some of these people have been through a lot and it takes a lot to persevere. The inspirational text and life skills throughout this book were well worded. I felt that this was very thought-out and I think that is amazing. All in all, having Travis Scott in this book was one of the only things I disliked about it. But, you never know, he can change, just like any other human being.
September 22, 2022
This fun collection of self help stories is a great book to keep handy. I loved reading through a few stories at a time giving myself time to appreciate the narratives that were written on each page. I think the collection is truly captivating and there is something to take away from each and every artist portrayed. I think the purpose of the book is to connect with these unique people that have made such a big splash in our culture and our generations. I love having this book out on our coffee table and I find it very a awesome that people can pick it up and skim for their favorite artist. Getting that glimpse at their story of success and getting some advice all of the way makes a fun read. I like that it doesn’t take itself to seriously when it comes to its delivery and we can see the artist true personalities on each page. I am very glad to have gotten the chance to get this book!
September 22, 2022
Thank you to BookishFirst and Grant Brydon for a copy of Life Lessons from Hip Hop. I was so excited to win a copy of this book since I am a big music lover. I also can't wait to share it with my friend's teenage grandkids.
I think this is a well written, appropriate and helpful book for teens that are especially into music. It's filled with great graphics and is formatted in chapters.
I really liked the chapter based on relationships. I especially found Pharrell Williams essay on being empathic enjoyable. I think our world has lost so much of its ability to be empathic. I enjoyed reading his thoughts and appreciate that each essay subject is explained clearly.
The chapter on patience also was well written. I think youth will be able to relate to and will listen to the essays in this book given the writers. I like the smaller size of this hardcover book and again, the graphics are wonderful.
I think this is a well written, appropriate and helpful book for teens that are especially into music. It's filled with great graphics and is formatted in chapters.
I really liked the chapter based on relationships. I especially found Pharrell Williams essay on being empathic enjoyable. I think our world has lost so much of its ability to be empathic. I enjoyed reading his thoughts and appreciate that each essay subject is explained clearly.
The chapter on patience also was well written. I think youth will be able to relate to and will listen to the essays in this book given the writers. I like the smaller size of this hardcover book and again, the graphics are wonderful.
September 24, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book. Firstly, I liked how colorful the book is and how well illustrated the cover of the book is. It definitely adds beauty to my bookshelf. I really enjoyed reading about what different artists had to share about their experiences and I enjoyed seeing the different lessons they shared, highlighting what is important in life and what isn't. I am a huge fan of R&B as well so I especially enjoyed reading this book and learning more about artists that I listen to frequently. The author's writing style and the way the book is formatted kept me interested the whole time and I thought that it was written in a way to motivate others, which I really appreciated. I also feel that I've learned more about rap through reading this book which I thought makes this book educational as well for people that are interested in rap. I recommend this book to people who like this genre!
September 27, 2022
I loved this book! It is not very often that I can find a book that I resonate with so deeply and then turn around and pass it on to my children to enjoy themselves. I love that I can read it and take so much from it and my teens can read it and see it from a whole different, but equally relevant, perspective.
Topics covered include mental health + well being, motivation, embracing our differences, balance---both in life and within yourself, relationships, and embracing changes as you navigate through life.
This hardcover book is bright and beautiful. Each page includes splashes of color & each entry includes a modern depiction of the contributor. This book would make an amazing addition to a classroom library, secondary school library, or even coffee table.
Life Lessons From Hip-Hop also includes mental health resources and a helpful index.
Thank you to Bookish First for a giveaway copy of this book.
Topics covered include mental health + well being, motivation, embracing our differences, balance---both in life and within yourself, relationships, and embracing changes as you navigate through life.
This hardcover book is bright and beautiful. Each page includes splashes of color & each entry includes a modern depiction of the contributor. This book would make an amazing addition to a classroom library, secondary school library, or even coffee table.
Life Lessons From Hip-Hop also includes mental health resources and a helpful index.
Thank you to Bookish First for a giveaway copy of this book.
September 27, 2022
I found this book to be very inspirational! I am unfamiliar with most of the artists featured but was impressed with their wise words and sound advice. The book was easy to read as each segment was short and to the point. The author mentions interviewing some of the artists as far back as 2014 so it seems like his undertaking has been quite the project. But the finished product is something to be proud of. And the illustrator should also feel proud - the artwork is fabulous! So nice to read such wisdom from famous young people who are role models for today’s teens and young adults. Some of the highlights of the book were the emphases on taking care of yourself and your relationships, being true to yourself yet finding balance and the importance of family. I also enjoyed reading how “other-focused” most of the featured artists are - fame has not made them all selfish. Thanks to BookishFirst and Penguin Random House for the complimentary copy of this book.
October 4, 2022
💭Thoughts:
I’ll start by saying the cover is beautiful and is what attracted me to this book in the first place. It could definitely be a coffee table book and focal point for great conversation.
The book is separated into eleven different topics, ranging from patience to focus. Within each topic are multiple interviews with different hip-hop celebrities.
One of my favorite interviews was with Sza. She talked about her experiences growing up black and Muslim in America. She talked about making an active choice to embody what she wanted to stand for.
I also really enjoyed the interview with Pharrell Williams. I’ve always been a big fan of his music. He spoke about the importance of having empathy.
Overall, this is an engaging book with beautiful illustrations and powerful interviews. I think it helps to be a fan of hip-hop to enjoy this book, but I don’t think you have to know who all the artists are to appreciate their lived experiences.
I’ll start by saying the cover is beautiful and is what attracted me to this book in the first place. It could definitely be a coffee table book and focal point for great conversation.
The book is separated into eleven different topics, ranging from patience to focus. Within each topic are multiple interviews with different hip-hop celebrities.
One of my favorite interviews was with Sza. She talked about her experiences growing up black and Muslim in America. She talked about making an active choice to embody what she wanted to stand for.
I also really enjoyed the interview with Pharrell Williams. I’ve always been a big fan of his music. He spoke about the importance of having empathy.
Overall, this is an engaging book with beautiful illustrations and powerful interviews. I think it helps to be a fan of hip-hop to enjoy this book, but I don’t think you have to know who all the artists are to appreciate their lived experiences.
September 3, 2022
Thank you DK Publishing and Bookish First for my free copy. This will not affect my review.
This book is very informative! I do not usually read self-help books but this was perfect for my younger brother. My brother had a blast reading it. Music is a big part of his life and especially hip-hop. He is always writing raps in his spare time and loves performing them for us. He loves how inspirational it was and the life skills provided that in this book. He feels motivated after finishing the book. The musical artists included are a great choice except for Travis Scott (horrible role model). The writing style and format keep my brother's attention and that is great because he is not a big reader. This is a perfect read for teens to enjoy. It gives solid advice. I hope others will find it useful aswell. Would definitely recommend. The book cover is very eye-catching to him.
This book is very informative! I do not usually read self-help books but this was perfect for my younger brother. My brother had a blast reading it. Music is a big part of his life and especially hip-hop. He is always writing raps in his spare time and loves performing them for us. He loves how inspirational it was and the life skills provided that in this book. He feels motivated after finishing the book. The musical artists included are a great choice except for Travis Scott (horrible role model). The writing style and format keep my brother's attention and that is great because he is not a big reader. This is a perfect read for teens to enjoy. It gives solid advice. I hope others will find it useful aswell. Would definitely recommend. The book cover is very eye-catching to him.
October 4, 2022
This book is not terrible, but I am not the targeted audience. I could see that this book would be nice to have for younger people, the teens through twenties. And especially for fans of rap and the hip hop genre. I only knew a few of the people in this book. There were a lot that I had never heard of, but my 19-year-old son knew a lot of them. I plan on giving him this book, and he seemed excited to receive it. I did appreciate that there were quite a few females in here. It sometimes seems like the hip hop/rap genre forgets about women, but this book had almost half that were female. I liked that there are different chapters divided up by different aspects of lives and each chapter had 4 or more "life lessons" by a different person. Like I said, I'm not the targeted audience, but I really feel like there are other people that would really enjoy this book.
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November 29, 2022~This book's cover was really amazing and the art inside is just as appealing. Each artist journey and advice is so unique I started taking notes for motivation in my own life. Def recommend as a self-help book but the reading are also full of vibes and culture to encourage the reader to go chase their dreams <3 <3 <3
~The author Grant Brydon does an excellent job of interviewing each artist. tbh I want to see him in action because I love editing and social history so his work on this book to capture the hip-hop culture is very inspirational in itself.
~Covering mental well being in this book was another aspect that I thought was very pivotal because there is so much stigma surrounding mental health. Normalizing therapy and communication around mental health is helpful to all communities so I was happy to see it here when rap and hip-hop can be very Machismo...
~The author Grant Brydon does an excellent job of interviewing each artist. tbh I want to see him in action because I love editing and social history so his work on this book to capture the hip-hop culture is very inspirational in itself.
~Covering mental well being in this book was another aspect that I thought was very pivotal because there is so much stigma surrounding mental health. Normalizing therapy and communication around mental health is helpful to all communities so I was happy to see it here when rap and hip-hop can be very Machismo...
December 14, 2022
Grant Brydon has spent years interviewing hip-hop artists and clearly has love and respect for the music and culture of hip-hop. Life Lessons from Hip-Hop is a compilation of 50 fantastic essays focused on advice from various artists. This book feels like it is geared towards young people, but as an adult reader, I found a lot to reflect on.
Hip-hop fans will love this book, but the advice here is solid and relevant for anyone. It is like a guide to life. The section on mental health and work-life balance was particularly important, especially since so many people have been negatively affected by the pandemic. There is a lot to learn here about the history and influence of hip-hop, and many artists to discover. Ketu's illustrations are amazing and life-like.
This book belongs in every school library and in the home of every hip-hop fan.
Hip-hop fans will love this book, but the advice here is solid and relevant for anyone. It is like a guide to life. The section on mental health and work-life balance was particularly important, especially since so many people have been negatively affected by the pandemic. There is a lot to learn here about the history and influence of hip-hop, and many artists to discover. Ketu's illustrations are amazing and life-like.
This book belongs in every school library and in the home of every hip-hop fan.
December 30, 2022
I believed this to be a book that Young Adults would enjoy. The life lessons contain some thoughts that would be useful to them. Coming from different backgrounds, each artist has a somewhat different perspective and therefore there are differences in the messages that they share, but those differences would also appeal to a larger audience. .
Many older adults would appreciate this too and enjoy reading about the hip-hop artists within the pages. The interviews of each person are well done and really add a more realistic look and more depth to each of them.
The images within are also a welcome addition. Many people look up to those in the entertainment industry and they would love to see pictures of the people they idolize.
I recommend this book to anyone who would love to read some in-depth coverage of the Hip-Hop artists covered in this book.
January 7, 2023
Anyone with an interest in the hip-hop music movement will find this a riveting book as it explores and shares interviews with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Pharrell Williams, Big Sean, J. Cole, and others. The author focuses on inspirational advice gleaned from one-on-one interviews with the varying artists to get to the secrets and the heart of their success stories. The many words and pearls of wisdom imparted will be beneficial to people of all musical interests, not just hip-hop. And since many of the vignettes have life applicability, this book will also appeal to those who haven’t even been very involved in the music scene at all, since everyone can learn something to better their own life.
August 28, 2023
Life lessons gathered by the author from pillars and key figures in hip hop. From Pharrell to Ebro, Mac Miller to JCole. This book was packed with bite size nuggets about what success really is and has you asking yourself “why do I do what I do? What’s my motivation? What’s the goal?” Really enjoyed this short read.
October 1, 2022
This was a really unique coffee table book geared towards young adults. The only downside was that the material was repetitive.
October 12, 2022
I’m not into Hip-Hop but I give anything a try. Some interesting conversations are had.
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November 3, 2024
Very good, a book you can kinda pick up for journeys, like a handbook. Very good messages, beautiful art, I'm all for it
May 20, 2025
I enjoyed seeing this fresh perspective of many of my favorite rappers! The advice is common but with the lived experiences and personal views of theirs, this read felt very touching...
November 12, 2025
Really enjoyed this - great layout and illustrations and there are some great messages to soak up from within
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