Contents
Foreword Walter Kimbrough ?vii
Series Foreword James A. Banks ?xi
Preface: Trash-Talking ?xvii
Acknowledgments ?xix
1. ?Born to Rhyme, Destined to Shine: The Hip-Hop Mindset Framework ?1
Culture as a Politic ?3
The Hip-Hop Mindset ?8
2. ?Drive ?12
Hunger ?12
Competitiveness ?16
Honor and Kinship ?20
3. ?Approach ?35
Ingenuity and Cultural Efficacy ?35
Turning the Tables: Creativity and Originality ?38
Representing: Authenticity and Clarity ?43
4. ?Posture ?50
On Being a Badass ?50
Shine Bright Like a Diamond ?53
Watch the Throne ?57
5. ?Cultural Roots: Inherited Values, Beliefs, and Traditions ?60
Eight Africanisms Fundamental to Hip-Hop Culture ?61
6. ?Can I Kick It? The Hip-Hop Mindset in Professional Practice ?70
Toni Blackman ?71
Martha Diaz ?75
Timothy David Jones ?79
Emery Petchauer ?83
Bettina L. Love ?87
Tony Keith Jr. ?90
Ian Levy ?95
Andre Perry ?100
Edmund Adjapong ?105
Mazi Mutafa ?109
Aysha Upchurch ?113
Baron Davis ?117
Michael Benitez ?122
William Boyles ?126
Crystal Leigh Endsley ?130
7. ?Air-Walking: Concluding Thoughts ?134
Glossary ?145
Notes ?147
References ?155
Index ?161
About the Author ?172