Steven Blush’s third book about rock crossing cultural and musical barriers now focuses on the time When Rock Met Hip-Hop.
The time is the late 1980s and early 1990s. Sampling and collaborations between the most unlikely of artists are beginning to happen. Aerosmith and RUN-DMC invite us to “Walk This Way”, with the accompanying video literally battering down the walls.
When Rock Met Hip-Hop is a fascinating and enthusiastic chronicle of one of the key events in 20th century music history. Assembling quotes from a litany of major players from producers to musicians, Blush explores how this cross-coĺlision of styles came about.
It doesn’t just highlight the period’s successful alliances, but the failures and near misses too. Both veterans and new acts embraced this new norm, with Anthrax and Faith No More discussed alongside the Beastie Boys and LL Cool J.
Pioneering producers and record labels are given their due, with some honest reflections from those involved set aside interviews from rock and hip-hop’s coalition.
Following on from When Rock Met Disco and When Rock Met Reggae, Blush’s account is just as accessible, entertaining, and influential. He takes into account the exploration of new sounds and techniques, noting their impact on the music created today.
This time, Blush can include his firsthand experience as a participant in the early days of hip-hop. He contextualises the genre and explains how it sits aside new wave and punk rock, hardcore and alt rock, heavy metal and even soul.
Blurring cultural and racial boundaries, When Rock Met Hip-Hop was a hugely important moment in music, allowing street talk and DJ culture to seep into the mainstream. The book allows connections to be made while highlighting lost gems and less familiar names.
You can dip in and out at any point and find a fascinating story or nugget of information. Blush doesn’t shirk from touching on hip-hop’s association with drug culture, but doesn’t make it the main focus.
Unlike Mark Yarm’s Everybody Loves Our Town, about the 1990s grunge scene, When Rock Met Hip-Hop keeps its tone light and professionally focused, rather than getting entangled in dark personal issues.
Even if you are not a fan of the genre, for general popular music consumers there is much to appreciate in Blush’s book.
When Rock Met Hip-Hop, by Steven Blush, is published by Backbeat Books at Bloomsbury and available now.