Originally published in Verbalisms' Power Juice, this is an exclusive—the original, full-length version of the interview with Can't Stop, Won't Stop's author Jeff Chang! I highly recommend Can't Stop to all readers, regardless of expertise on or interest in Hip Hop culture. It's simply an amazing read. This is the book I'd ask my own father, jazz musican Buell Neidlinger, to read if he cared enough to discover and understand my culture, music, and life, the way my generation is expected to understand the Jazz era. And don't miss the mixtape that comes with the book (depending on the retailer)—IT ROCKS.
The interview was first published as "And It Don't Stop: Documenting Hip-Hop's Power and History" by Miranda Jane
Jeff Chang is a powerhouse. He is a hip-hop activist, father, proud male feminist and author of the authoritative book Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation. Can’t Stop is a must-read—with an introduction by the legendary DJ Kool Herc, and chapters spanning from the history of Bronx street gangs all the way to Ice Cube’s "Death Certificate" LP—once you pick it up, you can’t stop reading and you won’t stop learning.
Miranda Jane: Can't Stop Won't Stop is one of the most comprehensive books on Hip Hop culture and history that has ever been written. When and how did you make the decision to take your interviews and historical research to the next level and put them out in nonfiction form?
Jeff Chang: I started thinking about the book when Solesides ended in 1997. It was a way of working through all that I thought I had learned up to that point. Back then it was going to be a book just about Ice Cube's death certificate. As time went on, I realized I had a much bigger story: the story about how the hip-hop generation emerged in this post-civil rights, globalized era.
Of all the interviews you conducted, which individual made the most significant impression on you and on the outcome of the book? Why? What particular quote from that person could sum it up?
Article comments
1 - DrPat
Interesting genesis for the book - thanks for sharing this exclusive with us!
2 - Pat Cummings
I have changed the category of this post to Interview, since that's the meat of the post. The sub-category "Review" is still there.
I also corrected the capitalization throughout.