Born In The Bronx: A Visual Record Of The Early Days Of Hip-Hop
by Johan Kugelberg (editor)

Stunning celebration of hip-hop’s beginnings

Rocking a mighty foreword from Afrika Bambaataa and with its focus trained on the classic old school era of 1977-82, the lion’s share of Born In The Bronx is devoted to superb full-page reproductions of Joe Conzo’s previously unpublished vintage photos of an all-star cast including Kool Herc, The Cold Crush Brothers, The Funky 4+1, Grand Wizzard Theodore and Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five et al. There’s an equally historic selection of Buddy Esquire’s show flyers. Additionally, this glorious testament to the spirit of the Boogie Down Bronx also includes photos of pages from rhyme books, a checklist of some of the greatest live jams and MC battles in hip-hop history, rhyme transcriptions, a chapter on the early days of hip-hop on vinyl, plus contributions from, among others, JDL and Grandmaster Caz of The Cold Crush Brothers, LA Sunshine, Jorge “Popmaster Fabel” Pabon, Mare 139 and DJ Disco Wiz. As much a celebration of the undying appeal of old school hip-hop as a historical document, Born In The Bronx exuberantly transports the reader back to the days of hip-hop’s long-lost golden age.

ISBN 139780789315403

Reviewed by Grahame Bent
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