The Roots of Rap by Carole Boston Weatherford (author) (US edition)

A rhyming, triple-timing celebration of hip-hop. Rhyme it, love it – and don’t stop! Who are the original founders of the hip-hop nation? Find out in this dynamic picture book. Did it start with Grandmaster Flash and DJ Kool Herc? Yes it did! But it also started way before that! Folktales, spirituals and poetry were the first roots of rap. Legendary soul man James Brown was a deep root, as well. Oh, and what else? Graffiti! Break-dancing! Rhythm! Scratching! Flow! A brave new music for the world to share. Join the movement. Let your rhythm show.

• A dazzling rhyming picture book full of musical legends

• Explores the foundations of hip-hop in images and verse

• Written by award-winning poet Carole Boston Weatherford

• With a foreword by Grammy-winning rapper Swizz Beatz