Original Gangstas: Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and the Birth of West Coast Rap

exactly the kind of extra info and facts I was looking for. A good read, would recommend to anyone interested in this music and genre

As described

Mr. Westhoff's latest installment of hip-hop lore, Ben tackles the behemotic tangled mess that is the origins of rap culture in the West. While the recent film Straight Out of Compton revived intrigue in the mysterious story of NWA and West Coast rap, it did not do complete justice to the truth nor had a concrete foundation of detail. There was much left to be desired. Much of what is known of West Coast hip-hop is left to anecdotal accounts or interviews by those who were in the circle of NWA, Tupac, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, etc. Many of those who pioneered rap culture in the West are not alive today. Mr. Westhoff's incredible research, which took a number of years, digs down deep and gets to the truth and dispels the myths. We learn the nitty gritty details of the personal lives of NWA, Tupac, Eazy-E, Ice-Cube, etc. We discover connections between rap groups that were otherwise unknown. Ben also addresses the social and political turmoil of the time with excellent commentary. There is no other book, nor documentary around currently that is as descriptive and as detailed as this book. There is so much detail that it feels as if you are there with the rap icons themselves. This is what journalism is about, and Mr. Westhoff slams it out of the park. Ben sets an example for how journalism should be done. I don't want to spoil the book, but I wish it were longer! I would not be surprised if someday in the far future this book becomes required reading in a college class for the Studies of Hip-Hop Culture. EVERY FAN OF HIP-HOP MUST HAVE THIS BOOK IN THEIR COLLECTION!

Original Gangstas is a thorough and engrossing telling of the rise of West Coast Rap. Mr. Westhoff did extensive research, interviewed countless people, and sifted through fact, opinion, and hearsay like the professional journalist that he is. The characters are all portrayed as the very real, very flawed, and very talented individuals they were. While other books and films chose to ignore some of the darker aspects of these individuals' character and story, Mr. Westhoff dives right in and shows both the good and the bad. He is a true fan of the genre and that helps him express just how groundbreaking this music was as he tells the story of the people who made it. If you are interested at all in music, hip-hop culture, race relations, or the tragic drama that ended the young lives of Eazy-E, Tupac, Biggie, and others, this is a must read.

Personne n'ignore encore ici que je suis fan de West Coast rap, comprendre NWA, CMW, Above The Law, DJ Quik, Spice 1, E 40, The Coup, South Central Cartel, 2nd II None....donc je ne peux dire que du bien du sujet traité ici...et comme la façon dont le sujet est traité est plus proche de "Ruthless Memories" que du film "Straight Outta Compton", je valide à 1000% ce bouquin. Tout simplement(n'est-ce pas JLTismé, Parano Refré et MC Bees, comprendront ceux et celles qui doivent comprendre)! This book is the ultimate one about gangsta rap and G funk era in Los Angeles area, until Kokane & Big Hutch do one maybe...Read it if you want to know the truth, the whole funk and nothing but the rap!