Includes bibliographical references and index.

The audacity of hip hop -- The old school and the elements -- What's race got to do with it? -- Hip hop's economic stimulus plan -- Hip hop herstory and pride rap -- Rap's social conscience -- The globalization of hip hop -- Black to the future -- International hip hop timeline.

Examines the development and characteristics of hip-hop, describing its inspiration from Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Jamaica, as well as its racial, multicultural, and multilingual influences.