What Do You Call It?
From Grassroots to the Golden Era of UK Rap.
"What Do You Call It?" by David Kane chronicles the remarkable four-decade journey of UK rap from its humble beginnings in the early 1980s to Stormzy's historic Glastonbury headline performance in 2019. This comprehensive exploration reveals how British rap evolved through distinct phases—from Britcore and UK hip-hop to garage, grime, and drill—while being shaped by sound system culture, punk rebellion, and rave innovation. Through meticulous research and exclusive interviews with legendary figures like Malcolm McLaren, Soul II Soul, Tricky, and Roots Manuva, alongside contemporary stars including Dave, Little Simz, and Loyle Carner, Kane presents a nuanced portrait of a misunderstood art form that ultimately transformed British music and culture forever. The book examines not just the music, but the socioeconomic factors, identity politics, and industry disruption that fueled this cultural revolution, making it essential reading for anyone seeking to understand how UK rap claimed its rightful place in the global hip-hop canon.
Cover design by Trevor Jackson.
Paperback with a matt varnish printed with a silver Pantone.
Category Books
Country UK
Manufacturer Velocity Press
From Grassroots to the Golden Era of UK Rap.
"What Do You Call It?" by David Kane chronicles the remarkable four-decade journey of UK rap from its humble beginnings in the early 1980s to Stormzy's historic Glastonbury headline performance in 2019. This comprehensive exploration reveals how British rap evolved through distinct phases—from Britcore and UK hip-hop to garage, grime, and drill—while being shaped by sound system culture, punk rebellion, and rave innovation. Through meticulous research and exclusive interviews with legendary figures like Malcolm McLaren, Soul II Soul, Tricky, and Roots Manuva, alongside contemporary stars including Dave, Little Simz, and Loyle Carner, Kane presents a nuanced portrait of a misunderstood art form that ultimately transformed British music and culture forever. The book examines not just the music, but the socioeconomic factors, identity politics, and industry disruption that fueled this cultural revolution, making it essential reading for anyone seeking to understand how UK rap claimed its rightful place in the global hip-hop canon.
Cover design by Trevor Jackson.
Paperback with a matt varnish printed with a silver Pantone.
Category Books
Country UK
Manufacturer Velocity Press
From Grassroots to the Golden Era of UK Rap.
"What Do You Call It?" by David Kane chronicles the remarkable four-decade journey of UK rap from its humble beginnings in the early 1980s to Stormzy's historic Glastonbury headline performance in 2019. This comprehensive exploration reveals how British rap evolved through distinct phases—from Britcore and UK hip-hop to garage, grime, and drill—while being shaped by sound system culture, punk rebellion, and rave innovation. Through meticulous research and exclusive interviews with legendary figures like Malcolm McLaren, Soul II Soul, Tricky, and Roots Manuva, alongside contemporary stars including Dave, Little Simz, and Loyle Carner, Kane presents a nuanced portrait of a misunderstood art form that ultimately transformed British music and culture forever. The book examines not just the music, but the socioeconomic factors, identity politics, and industry disruption that fueled this cultural revolution, making it essential reading for anyone seeking to understand how UK rap claimed its rightful place in the global hip-hop canon.
Cover design by Trevor Jackson.
Paperback with a matt varnish printed with a silver Pantone.
Category Books
Country UK
Manufacturer Velocity Press
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Weight 0.4 kg
Dimensions 23 × 2 × 17 cm
Paperback
Quotes
“Unravels the complicated calculus between hip-hop and its offshoots (UK garage, grime, drill) against a backdrop of resistance (the Met police’s highly controversial Form 696/Operation Domain policies) with mathematical precision and a genuine fan’s warmth.” Mojo
“Again and again the rich variety of sounds found within the sprawling landscape of UK rap is highlighted, delivered with a passion and understanding that could only come from a true student of the culture.” The Wire
“Kane builds bridges in a rich musical universe full of heroes and villains—and plot twists. With an inimitable style, he merges culture high and low to bring new meaning to the music. What Do You Call It? is a landmark tome for UK rap music.” Wax Poetics
“From David Toop’s Rap Attack to Jeff Chang’s Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, there have been several great books on hip-hop’s American birthplace. Finally, a history on the UK scene.” Faith
“A long overdue exploration of rap music in the UK and its longstanding – albeit overlooked – legacy and influence. In an era when UK rappers dominate the charts, star in major movies and TV shows and front huge advertising campaigns for multi-national corporations, Kane traces back the arduous journey from maligned sub-culture to celebrated mascot of neoliberal capitalism.” Jehst
“David Kane writes with a deft touch and possesses a disarming and deeply insightful interview style. Sparking life, humour, and sorrow across every page of more than three decades of UK rap history.” Charlie Dark MBE
“A mind rich in ideas.” Stanley Ledbetter, The New Yorker
