In the early lsquo;80s; the music industry wrote off hip-hop as a passing fad. Few could or would have predicted that the improvised raps and raw beats busting out of New York Cityrsquo;s urban underclass would one day become a multimillion-dollar business and one of musicrsquo;s most lucrative genres.Among those few were two visionaries: Russell Simmons; a young black man from Hollis; Queens; and Rick Rubin; a Jewish kid from Long Island. Though the two came from different backgrounds; their all-consuming passion for hip-hop brought them together. Soon they would revolutionize the music industry with their groundbreaking label; Def Jam Records.Def Jam; Inc. traces the companyrsquo;s incredible rise from the NYU dorm room of nineteen-year-old Rubin (where LL Cool J was discovered on a demo tape) to the powerhouse it is today; from financial struggles and scandalsndash;including The Beastie Boysrsquo;s departure from the label and Rubinrsquo;s and Simmonsrsquo;s eventual partingndash;to revealing anecdotes about artists like Slick Rick; Public Enemy; Foxy Brown; Jay-Z; and DMX. Stacy Gueraseva; former editor in chief of Russell Simmonsrsquo;s magazine; Oneworld; had access to the biggest players on the scene; and brings you real conversations and a behind-the-scenes look from a decadendash;and a companyndash;that turned the music world upside down. She takes you back to New York in the lsquo;80s; when late-night spots such as Danceteria and Nellrsquo;s were burning with young; fresh rappers; and Simmons and Rubin had nothing but a hunch that they were on to something huge.Far more than just a biography of the two men who made it happen; Def Jam; Inc. is a journey into the world of rap itself. Both an intriguing business history as well as a gritty narrative; here is the definitive book on Def Jamndash;a must read for any fan of hip-hop as well as all popular-culture junkies.From the Hardcover edition.
#805785 in eBooks 2011-04-05 2011-04-05File Name: B004QZ9VZK
Review
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful. My new favorite baby shower gift!By TeacherAmyI discovered Me Ra Koh a few years ago when I ordered her DVDs "Refuse to Say Cheese" and "Beyond the Green Box". I found that I loved her warm. informal style and was greatly encouraged to re-learn what Id known about real photography.How wonderful to find that her book has the same Me Ra character--a friendly. down-to-earth friend who comes alongside you and shows you what shes doing with her camera to capture a certain sense. I grieve over the fact that I didnt have this knowledge when my own babies were new squishy. since I was in such a sleep-deprived exhaustion that these "photo recipes" were what I needed Me Ra provides clear explanations and cuts right through technical confusion to open up a whole new world of photographing memories. She explains why it is shes doing what shes doing. which creates continual "a-ha" moments that make learning a new hobby so approachable. What sets this apart from any other book out there is the loving treatment of all those unique baby moments from someone who has obviously been there and cherished them: the fleeting hair swirl. baby feet. the love pats while feeding. inked-up baby feet at the hospital. .Babyhood. much to my sorrow. is all too fleeting. and I only wish Id had this book sooner so that I could have had this knowledge while my own were still in the newborn phase. Without question. I am giving this as my favorite New Baby Gift.29 of 31 people found the following review helpful. Where do I begin?By Melissa HarrisI guess Ill just add my 5-star review to the pile.This book is so wonderful and helpful and came at the PERFECT time. I have one of those "fancy" cameras and not a lot of knowledge about it. I keep thinking Ill "learn one day" but keep it in its Auto mode 99% of the time. Well. at 39 weeks pregnant I decided that pictures of our first newborn were an absolute necessity but we couldnt afford to pay a photographer. so it was high time that I learn how to use that puppy!In her introduction. Me Ra Koh explains that when she bought her first big-girl camera. she felt lost and people who were "in the know" talked above her head or in terms that seemed like a foreign language. Hello. kindred spirits. sister! I have more than one pal who takes photographs professionally - a couple who are freakishly good and make a great living at it. But when they talk about their photos. its like theyre speaking Japanese.I grabbed a Cabbage Patch doll from my childhood and began experimenting with my camera the day I got this book. Little by little. chapter by chapter. Me Ra introduces you to quick tips and tricks to get great pictures - even in Auto mode. Then she gives you projects with "recipes" for a great photo - so I can take my camera out of Auto mode and set the aperture. ISO. and shutter speed for myself and get accustomed to what these settings change in each picture. I find myself taking more than one picture. changing settings with each one. and then comparing. Im actually learning. and its fun!Im 39 weeks and 4 days and baby has still not made his entrance into the world.. but Ive got some great pictures of my Cabbage Patch doll! This is THE book for new parents and/or people who are nervous about photography. Its YOUR family and YOUR baby. Have fun!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. As a aspiring photographer... I love this.By KaraThis is an awesome book that shows behind the scenes of pictures and pictures of this setting vs. this setting. And it really doesnt tell you what is better... just shows you the difference and with a photographers eye... you can clearly see what makes the better picture. Sometimes there are 3 pictures with 3 different settings. It really just matters the look you are going for.Shows settings and lens type... everything you need to know to get your shot. Minus the perfect lighting! But I really love how natural the pictures are inside and outside. Its a great book for portrait photography needs and most defiantly baby photography needs. Great for a beginner or fine tuning of advance skills in some other photography area. Its presented in a basic fashion but it isnt common sense photography... so its very useful!Really awesome. 5 stars!
