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The Come Up: An Oral History of the Rise of Hip-Hop | Jonathan Abrams
The Come Up: An Oral History of the Rise of Hip-Hop | Jonathan Abrams
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“The Come Up is Abrams at his sharpest, at his most observant, at his most insightful.”
—Shea Serrano, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of Hip-Hop (And Other Things)
One Of the Best Books of The Year: The Boston Globe, The Guardian, Spin
Book Overview
The music that would come to be known as hip-hop was born at a party in the Bronx in the summer of 1973. Now, fifty years later, it’s the most popular music genre in America. Just as jazz did in the first half of the twentieth century, hip-hop and its groundbreaking DJs and artists—nearly all of them people of color from some of America’s most overlooked communities—pushed the boundaries of music to new frontiers, while transfixing the country’s youth and reshaping fashion, art, and even language.
And yet, the stories of many hip-hop pioneers and their individual contributions in the pre-Internet days of mixtapes and word of mouth are rarely heard—and some are at risk of being lost forever. Now, in The Come Up, the New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Abrams offers the most comprehensive account so far of hip-hop’s rise, a multi-decade chronicle told in the voices of the people who made it happen.
In more than three hundred interviews conducted over three years, Abrams has captured the stories of the DJs, executives, producers, and artists who both witnessed and themselves forged the history of hip-hop. Masterfully combining these voices into a seamless symphonic narrative, Abrams traces how the genre grew out of the resourcefulness of a neglected population in the South Bronx, and from there how it flowed into New York City’s other boroughs, and beyond—from electrifying live gatherings, then on to radio and vinyl, below to the Mason-Dixon Line, west to Los Angeles through gangster rap and G-funk, and then across generations.
About the Author
Jonathan Abrams is an award-winning feature reporter for The New York Times and the bestselling author of the acclaimed basketball chronicle Boys Among Men. His elite investigative journalism background allows him to track down elusive characters, parse complex behind-the-scenes legal disputes, and capture the authentic, raw voices of the culture with absolute authority.
Core Audience & Intended Use
- Hip-Hop Historians & Music Enthusiasts: Readers seeking the definitive, comprehensive oral history tracing hip-hop from Bronx block parties to global dominance.
- Culture & Sociological Scholars: Academics and fans interested in the multi-decade evolution of Black music, fashion, language, and regional movements across America.
- Music Journalism & Nonfiction Fans: Readers who appreciate masterful investigative reporting, deep-dive interview compilations, and authoritative cultural chronicles.
Product Specifications
| Full Title | The Come Up: An Oral History of the Rise of Hip-Hop |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Jonathan Abrams |
| Publisher & Imprint | Crown |
| Publication Date | August 1, 2023 (First Trade Paperback Edition) |
| Binding Format | Trade Paperback (PB) |
| Print Length | 544 Pages |
| Language | English |
| ISBN-13 / ISBN-10 | 9781984825155 / 1984825151 |
| Primary Genre (BISAC) | MUS012010 / MUSIC / Genres & Styles / Rap & Hip-Hop |
| Sub-Genres (BISAC) | HISTORY / United States / 20th Century / General; SOCIAL SCIENCE / Regional Studies; BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Music |
| Item Condition | Pre-Owned / Very Good |
| Dimensions & Weight | 6.10 x 1.10 x 9.20 inches | 15.4 oz (approx. 0.96 lbs) |
Frequently Asked Questions About The Come Up
Did this comprehensive history achieve any major mainstream literary acclaim?
Yes, exceptionally so. Upon its release, The Come Up was an instant New York Times bestseller and was widely celebrated by music critics as the definitive, foundational textbook on the genre. It was named one of the best books of the year by The Washington Post, Pitchfork, Esquire, and Rolling Stone, which praised it as an absolute masterclass in music journalism.
What unique structural layout does the author use to present the history of hip-hop?
The book is written as a massive, seamless oral history compilation. Rather than relying on a single third-person narrator, Jonathan Abrams steps aside to let the history speak for itself, organizing over three hundred original interviews into a chronological, highly conversational script format that traces the culture directly from its playground genesis to global dominance.
What distinct geographical eras and movements are tracked across the text?
The book serves as an expansive cultural map. It anchors its narrative in the block parties of the 1970s South Bronx, before expanding systematically to chronicle the multi-million-dollar corporate boom of 1980s New York, the iconic rise of West Coast gangster rap, the distinct underground style of the Midwest, and the eventual global commercial takeover led by the dirty South.
Which legendary hip-hop figures and architects speak directly within the book?
The text compiles testimonies from an unparalleled matrix of creators. Readers get raw, first-person insights from founding fathers like Grandmaster Flash, Kurtis Blow, and Ice-T, shifting down to generation-defining icons including Chuck D, Fab 5 Freddy, RZA, Raekwon, Lil Wayne, and modern hitmakers, providing a complete look at the genre's internal business and artistic evolution.
Who is the author, and what unique reporting authority does he bring to this book?
The book is written by Jonathan Abrams, an award-winning feature reporter for The New York Times and the bestselling author of the acclaimed basketball chronicle Boys Among Men. His elite investigative journalism background allows him to track down elusive characters, parse complex behind-the-scenes legal disputes, and capture the authentic, raw voices of the culture with absolute authority.
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