On the heels of Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize, as the world
begins to recognize the creative side of Hip-Hop, comes a writing
guide from a musician and "The greatest MC of all time,"
Rakim.
The musician and
Hip Hop legend—hailed as “the greatest MC of all time” and
compared to Thelonious Monk—reimagines the writing handbook in this
memoir and guide that incorporates the soulful genius, confidence,
and creativity of a master artist.
When he exploded on the music scene, musical genius Rakim was hailed
for his brilliant artistic style, adding layers, complexity, depth,
musicality, and soul to rap. More than anyone, Rakim has changed the
way MCs rhyme. Calm on the mic, his words combine in a frenzy of
sound, using complicated patterns based on multisyllabic rhymes and
internal rhythms. Rakim can tell a story about a down-on-his-luck man
looking for a job and turn it into an epic tale and an unforgettable
rhyme. He is not just a great songwriter—he’s a great modern
writer.
Part memoir, part
writing guide, Sweat the Technique offers insight into how
Rakim thinks about words, music, writing, and rhyming as it teaches
writers of all levels how to hone their craft. It is also a rare
glimpse into Rakim’s private life, full of entertaining personal
stories from his youth on Long Island growing up in a home and
community filled with musiciansto the clubs of New York and the
studios of Los Angeles during his rise to the top of popular music.
Rakim celebrates the influences that shaped his development,
including the jazz music of John Coltrane and the spirituality of the
streets, and shares anecdotes spotlighting personalities such as L.
L. Cool J. and Dr. Dre, among others.
Filled with valuable
lessons for every writer, Sweat the Technique reveals the
heart and mind of an artist and his love for great storytelling, and
always, the words.