The Best New Hip-Hop Music Books To Read In 2025

FL Studio for Hip-Hop Producers: Mastering the Art of Beat-Making and Sound Design. Unlock the full potential of FL Studio with "FL Studio for Hip-Hop Producers," your comprehensive guide to creating professional-quality hip-hop tracks. Whether you're just starting out or an experienced producer, this book covers everything you need to know to master hip-hop production in FL Studio. What You Will Learn:Getting Started with FL Studio: Set up your workspace, customize the interface, and organize your projects to optimize your workflow.

Beat-Making Fundamentals: Create compelling drum patterns, work with MIDI, and utilize FL Studio's built-in plugins to craft your beats.Crafting Basslines and Melodies: Design powerful basslines and catchy melodies using tools like Sytrus, Harmor, and the Piano Roll.Sampling and Chopping: Capture, edit, and manipulate samples to create unique, sample-based beats with Edison and Slicex.Advanced Drum Programming: Layer drums, add swing and groove, and create dynamic fills and variations.Vocal Recording and Processing: Record clean vocals and apply essential processing techniques like EQ, compression, reverb, and delay.Mixing and Mastering: Balance levels, use EQ and compression, and apply creative mixing techniques to polish your tracks.Advanced Production Techniques: Utilize automation, sound design, and arrangement tips to enhance your productions.Workflow Optimization and Productivity Tips: Use templates, master keyboard shortcuts, and manage your time effectively to streamline your production process.Insider Tips and Industry Insights: Stay current with trends, network effectively, and promote your music with advice from industry professionals.Why This Book?"FL Studio for Hip-Hop Producers" is more than just a manual—it's a complete resource for anyone looking to take their hip-hop production to the next level. Packed with practical examples, insider tips, and industry insights, this book will help you develop your skills, stay inspired, and create tracks that stand out. Whether you're producing music for yourself, collaborating with artists, or aiming to release your tracks commercially, this book provides the tools and knowledge you need to succeed. About the Author:With extensive experience in hip-hop production and a deep understanding of FL Studio, the author provides valuable insights and practical techniques that will empower you to create professional-quality music. Learn from someone who knows the industry inside out and is passionate about sharing their knowledge. Elevate your hip-hop production skills with "FL Studio for Hip-Hop Producers." Get your copy today and start creating music that makes an impact!

On November 1, 2022, rapper Takeoff (Kirsnick Khari Ball) from the group Migos was shot and killed in Houston, Texas. Two weeks later on November 15 Hip Hop legends Too Short and E-40 published an Op-Ed in The Atlantic entitled “Hip-Hop Needs an Intervention.”[1] They note that back in their day in the 1990s “you could expect a fistfight or a backstage brawl, but those incidents seem mild-mannered compared with the surge of violence in hip-hop now.” They say in part:. In 2018, the rapper XXXTentacion, just 20 years old, was shot dead. Hip-hop has since lost an artist every year.

The frequency with which we are losing rappers to gun violence is painful: Nipsey Hussle. Pop Smoke. King Von. PnB Rock. Young Dolph. And now Takeoff. These rappers were young, successful, talented individuals, millionaires creating generational wealth for their loved ones....Jazz musicians weren’t routinely murdered in the street at the height of their career. Nor were rock stars. We just want the same truth for our young superstars.... Rap has become a pretty dangerous profession compared with when we were first on the scene. We need an intervention. As OGs in the rap game, we have seen several during our career. When Tupac and Biggie were murdered, members of the Nation of Islam sat a lot of us down. We went to Louis Farrakhan’s house in Chicago, had a meal, and talked about the state of hip-hop, our responsibilities to the culture, and how we should fix things. It’s time for us to come together again. The industry needs change. We show in this book that it is not by accident that “Rap has become a pretty dangerous profession” today; it is by design. Hip Hop is like a beautiful Black Stallion, and whoever is saddled atop it and holds its reins in their hands can help determine the fate of Black America. That Black Stallion – Hip Hop - can lead Black People towards Redemption, or it can lead us toward degradation and doom. Whose riding Hip Hop today and to what effect? We answer these questions.

The Graphic History of Hip Hop is a unique expression of artistic genius and historical analysis that celebrates the fiftieth anniversary and beyond of a music revolution that changed the world in the last twentieth century. Writer Walter Greason and artist Tim Fielder have blended music, history, and graphic art into an unforgettable graphic novel experience for readers everywhere.