History and evolution of hip-hop explored in new book by The Roots’ Questlove

The Roots’ Questlove is publishing another book.

Hip-Hop Is History will explore the development of the genre from its origins through to the present day. It was written by the drummer, DJ and producer, real name Ahmir Thompson, together with author Ben Greenman.

The two writers previously teamed up on 2016’s Something To Food About: Exploring Creativity With Innovative Chefs, 2018’s Creative Quest, 2019’s Mixtape Potluck Cookbook: A Dinner Party For Friends, Their Recipes, And The Songs They Inspire, and 2021’s Music Is History.

A synopsis for Hip-Hop Is History reads: “Questlove skilfully traces the creative and cultural forces that made and shaped hip-hop, highlighting both the forgotten but influential gems and the undeniable chart-topping hits – and weaves it all together with the stories no one else knows.

“It is at once an intimate, sharply observed story of a cultural revolution and a sweeping, grand theory of the evolution of the great artistic movement of our time. And Questlove, of course, approaches it with not only the encyclopaedic fluency and passion of an obsessive fan but also the expertise and originality of an innovative participant.”

Auwa Books, Questlove’s own publishing imprint, will release Hip-Hop Is History on 11th June.

Last year, it was revealed that Questlove would direct a new ‘live-action/hybrid’ adaptation of Disney’s The Aristocats.

The year before, he won Best Original Documentary at the Oscars for the film Summer Of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised).