#ReadTheMessage: 10 Hip Hop Books You Need to Read

Which books contain "the message"? These ones do.

Know the Ledge - These books touch upon various perspectives of the culture from the historical side, to the street elements, to the artists' own perspectves. These books may not help you become a better rapper, but they can offer you a better vantage point on rap. If you have a moment, do the history and read up on the culture that you breathe, eat and love. (Photos from left: Touchstone, From Here to Fame, Basic Civitas Books)

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Know the Ledge - These books touch upon various perspectives of the culture from the historical side, to the street elements, to the artists' own perspectves. These books may not help you become a better rapper, but they can offer you a better vantage point on rap. If you have a moment, do the history and read up on the culture that you breathe, eat and love. (Photos from left: Touchstone, From Here to Fame, Basic Civitas Books)

Photo By Photos from left: Touchstone

1. Can't Stop Won't Stop - Some consider this the historical bible on hip hop as Jeff Chang not only traces hip hop's cultural beginnings in the '70s but explores the sociopolitical climate in NYC leading up to the decade of its birth. (Photo: St. Martin's Press)

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1. Can't Stop Won't Stop - Some consider this the historical bible on hip hop as Jeff Chang not only traces hip hop's cultural beginnings in the '70s but explores the sociopolitical climate in NYC leading up to the decade of its birth. (Photo: St. Martin's Press)

2. Queens Reigns Supreme - Part crime literature, part rap business book, Queens Reigns Supreme draws the connection between Queens, NYC's most notorious drug crews and their influence in the hip hop culture throughout the '80s and '90s. (Photo: Anchor Publishing)

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2. Queens Reigns Supreme - Part crime literature, part rap business book, Queens Reigns Supreme draws the connection between Queens, NYC's most notorious drug crews and their influence in the hip hop culture throughout the '80s and '90s. (Photo: Anchor Publishing)

3. Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists - Before rap listicles became the norm for every web publication, Ego Trip was out here schoolin' cats with some of the most scientific rap articles that a true school head could care to digest. If you want humor, honesty and history at one coffee table, check out this book. (Photo: St. Martin's Griffin)

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3. Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists - Before rap listicles became the norm for every web publication, Ego Trip was out here schoolin' cats with some of the most scientific rap articles that a true school head could care to digest. If you want humor, honesty and history at one coffee table, check out this book. (Photo: St. Martin's Griffin)

4. My Infamous Life - Prodigy of Mobb Deep takes readers on a journey into his life and the circumstances that ultimately led to his incarceration for three years. Filled with personal anecdotes and stories, Prodigy opens up about the history of the rap duo and his connections to Queensbridge. (Photo: Touchstone)

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4. My Infamous Life - Prodigy of Mobb Deep takes readers on a journey into his life and the circumstances that ultimately led to his incarceration for three years. Filled with personal anecdotes and stories, Prodigy opens up about the history of the rap duo and his connections to Queensbridge. (Photo: Touchstone)

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5. Ego Trip's Big Book of Racism - Ego Trip also mastered the art of discussing race in a thought-provoking way from the vantage point of well-rounded hip hop heads. It's worth a read if you're looking to delve further into the sociological elements of rap. (Photo: Harper Perenial)

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5. Ego Trip's Big Book of Racism - Ego Trip also mastered the art of discussing race in a thought-provoking way from the vantage point of well-rounded hip hop heads. It's worth a read if you're looking to delve further into the sociological elements of rap. (Photo: Harper Perenial)

6. The Vibe History of Hip Hop - The legendary music pub takes a look back at the culture and its own contributions for a sizable book that recounts hip hop history prior to the digital age.  (Photo: Three Rivers Press)

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6. The Vibe History of Hip Hop - The legendary music pub takes a look back at the culture and its own contributions for a sizable book that recounts hip hop history prior to the digital age.  (Photo: Three Rivers Press)

7. Born to Use Mics - Consider this an academic discussion of Nas' seminal classic debut. Professor Michael Eric Dyson and several other esteemed academics and writers give Nas' lyrics from Illmatic the college classroom treatment. (Photo: Basic Civitas Books)

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7. Born to Use Mics - Consider this an academic discussion of Nas' seminal classic debut. Professor Michael Eric Dyson and several other esteemed academics and writers give Nas' lyrics from Illmatic the college classroom treatment. (Photo: Basic Civitas Books)

8. Jay Z: Decoded - Jigga's lyrics are deciphered and explained by none other than the man who recorded them: Jay Z.  (Photo: Spiegel & Grau publishing)

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8. Jay Z: Decoded - Jigga's lyrics are deciphered and explained by none other than the man who recorded them: Jay Z.  (Photo: Spiegel & Grau publishing)

Photo By Photo: Spiegel & Grau publishing

9. The Wu-Tang Manual - Wu-Tang Clan's RZA opens up about the origins of the rap crew and how they managed to become a cultural phenomenon in the '90s.  (Photo: Riverhead Trade)

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9. The Wu-Tang Manual - Wu-Tang Clan's RZA opens up about the origins of the rap crew and how they managed to become a cultural phenomenon in the '90s.  (Photo: Riverhead Trade)

10. Hip Hop Files - In some ways a visual companion to Can't Stop Won't Stop, Hip Hop Files showcases the burgeoning hip hop culture in 1070s New York City via Martha Cooper's camera. In it are honest images documenting its once rough landscape, which gave way to its nickname New York Gritty. (Photo: From Here to Fame)

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10. Hip Hop Files - In some ways a visual companion to Can't Stop Won't Stop, Hip Hop Files showcases the burgeoning hip hop culture in 1070s New York City via Martha Cooper's camera. In it are honest images documenting its once rough landscape, which gave way to its nickname New York Gritty. (Photo: From Here to Fame)