The Art Album: Exploring the Connection Between Hip-Hop Music and Visual Art

This is an excellent book. Not just for the obvious reasons of being one of the first publications to juxtapose contemporary art with its influential hip hop, but because the artwork is amazing. Much of the artwork is cutting-edge and new. I discovered many new artists that moved me. I even purchased a piece by the artist on the cover, Marcus Jansen, who is on the rise.

This is a must read.What an amazing correlation...an excellent piece of Visual Art. I purchased an electronic version. However, I am going to purchase a hard copy for my coffee table

Great album.

A wonderful work of music and art history, giving full cultural context to both classic songs and and amazing variety of visual art. Beautifully conceived... there are great, full-color artworks on virtually every page of this book, with the text as a perfect complement This may not be what you assume when you hear the words "Contemporary Art" with it's artspeak and theory... this is vibrant, humanist work, urban life depicted with amazing imagination and dazzling skill. Anyone questioning the relevance of painting in a technological age will have their answer here. Painters like Tim Okamura and Marcus Jansen are among the best I've seen working today, keeping that ancient art form alive. The images are in perfect relation to the music analysis, which is a revelation to me, a deep exploration of the music and culture of hip hop that could otherwise seem daunting to readers not steeped in it. Many voices are given a chance to speak here, and it's that personal touch and response that also brings this book to life. The author interviewers Dawud Knuckles, Danny Simmons, and Russell Simmons bring tremendous knowledge and historical perspective to this story of truly living art forms.

I originally did not know what to expect from the book but a friend of mine told me to check it out. I must say it is a really good read. It holds your interest with multiple aspects. It introduces a hip-hop song and breaks it down from an educated perspective on what it means and the positive points and/or the reasons why an artist is expressing a particular point or theme. Then you have some great fine art along side to show music can be art as well. And some pieces of art that express what you hear in the song.Highly recommended.

I got the book as a gift and first just placed it in my coffee table because it had really great cover art, and there it sat until the cable froze one yesterday!! while waiting for the 75 hour reboot i picked it up and Im happy I did the book really did a great job of bridging art and hip hop it was insightful and fun. It was a great and interesting read !! and considering the last book i read was probably Moby Dick in the 7th grade its saying a lot that i didnt put this down ! i would certainly recommend it and am buying 2 as gifts.

This is a great book. Its well put together and a genius idea! I wish i thought of this idea first! I definitely understand what art is suppose to do. I recommend this book for any one who appreciates good hip hop and art. The author interview with Russell and Danny Simmons was interesting. The art work is amazing and it has some of the greatest music and visual artist. This book is amazing ...i love hip hop but now i have i new love for visual art! I cant wait to see what else stems from this!

Truly interesting concept. I enjoy it :)

good