Sweat the Technique: Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius

Sweat the Technique: Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical GeniusOn the heels of Kendrick Lamar's Pulitzer Prize, as the world begins to recognize the creative side of Hip Hop, comes a writing guide from a musician and The greatest MC of all time, Rakim. The musician and Hip Hop legend hailed as "the greatest MC of all time" and compared to Thelonious Monk reimagines the writing handbook in this memoir and guide that incorporates the soulful genius, confidence, and creativity of a master artist. When he exploded on

On the heels of Kendrick Lamar's Pulitzer Prize, as the world begins to recognize the creative side of Hip-Hop, comes a writing guide from a musician and The greatest MC of all time, Rakim.

The musician and Hip Hop legend--hailed as "the greatest MC of all time" and compared to Thelonious Monk--reimagines the writing handbook in this memoir and guide that incorporates the soulful genius, confidence, and creativity of a master artist.

When he exploded on the music scene, musical genius Rakim was hailed for his brilliant artistic style, adding layers, complexity, depth, musicality, and soul to rap. More than anyone, Rakim has changed the way MCs rhyme. Calm on the mic, his words combine in a frenzy of sound, using complicated patterns based on multisyllabic rhymes and internal rhythms. Rakim can tell a story about a down-on-his-luck man looking for a job and turn it into an epic tale and an unforgettable rhyme. He is not just a great songwriter--he's a great modern writer.

Part memoir, part writing guide, Sweat the Technique offers insight into how Rakim thinks about words, music, writing, and rhyming as it teaches writers of all levels how to hone their craft. It is also a rare glimpse into Rakim's private life, full of entertaining personal stories from his youth on Long Island growing up in a home and community filled with musiciansto the clubs of New York and the studios of Los Angeles during his rise to the top of popular music. Rakim celebrates the influences that shaped his development, including the jazz music of John Coltrane and the spirituality of the streets, and shares anecdotes spotlighting personalities such as L. L. Cool J. and Dr. Dre, among others.

Filled with valuable lessons for every writer, Sweat the Technique reveals the heart and mind of an artist and his love for great storytelling, and always, the words.

--Literary Hub

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Amistad Press
Published: 09/24/2019
ISBN: 9780062850232
Pages: 272
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.80w x 1.20d

Review Citations: Library Journal Prepub Alert 02/01/2019 pg. 61
Library Journal 08/09/2019 pg. 1
Kirkus Reviews 01/01/0001
Booklist 09/15/2019 pg. 10