Coming Spring 2023!
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There has never been a book like this. Written and illustrated by noted hip-hop journalist Riley Wallace, From Boom Bap to Trap: Hip-Hop’s Greatest Producers is a groundbreaking compendium that not only digs deep into the stories and catalogs of icons like Pete Rock, RZA, Dr. Dre, and DJ Premier, but also features highly influential beatmakers who have been slept on—sometimes criminally (Easy Mo Bee, Daz, Paul C, and Johnny “J,” for example.)
Until now hip-hop heads have been forced to navigate a sea of wiki entries, incomplete bios, and confusing credits (or none at all), which has caused some mind-melting tracks to be underappreciated or completely undiscovered. No more.
This book contains superb bios, brilliant lists of critical beats, punchy liner notes, and stunning artwork that finally do justice to the artists who have given hip-hop its backbone from the early ’90s to the present day.
Ultimately, From Boom Bap to Trap is a nostalgia bomb, a conversation piece, a must-own work of art for real heads made by a real head. Lovingly curated, it’s an essential resource that will satisfy the hunger of both new fans and hard-core hip-hop junkies for years to come.
Interviews Conducted by Riley Wallace
These short interview clips with groundbreaking hip-hop producers are portions of the research that Riley is conducting for From Boom Bap to Trap.
Pete Rock
In this interview clip, the legendary Pete Rock talks about his introduction to hip-hop, learning the ropes from The Untouchables founder Eddie F and the late Paul C’s influence. He also recalls his greatest record digs, which includes the (now) iconic Tom Scott “Today” sample—musical muse for the classic single “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.).”
Bronze Nazareth
Bronze Nazareth, hip-hop producer from Detroit, and official “Wu Affiliate,” talks about how he tracked down RZA in NYC and got his start. Bronze wanted to be an MC and played his track for RZA and it was the beat that caught his attention. “The rest is history.” Bronze also talks about a night at the club with ODB and blazing his own path beyond Wu-Tang.
EZ Elpee
Despite being passed over—and even having his beats dissed by the legendary Big L—producer EZ Elpee launched his career producing the platinum-selling second single by Junior M.A.F.I.A., “Get Money.” In this interview clip, Elpee recalls the night Notorious B.I.G. chose the beat and the epic sessions that followed.
Statik Selektah
The legendary Statik Selektah talks about getting in the game, his first placements, how 98% of the artists who have blown up in the past 10 years worked with him before they were big, and the story behind the Mac Miller & Sean Price track.
