Who Got the Camera?: A History of Rap and Reality

The Book Tracks The Parallel Rise, From 1986 To 1996, Of Gangsta Rap--a Subgenre Some Artists Preferred To Call Reality Rap--and Reality-based Television Programming, Especially Shows Such As Cops, Which Frequently Depicted Young Black Men Being Arrested. The Book Also Discusses How Rap Stars Have Used The Media's Obsession With Their Criminal Pasts In Their Art, Collapsing The Distinction Between Performance And Reality-- Preface : Eavesdropping -- Introduction : The Strength Of Street Knowledge -- Peace Is A Dream, Reality Is A Knife -- Don't Quote Me, Boy, 'cause I Ain't Said Shit -- Get Me The Hell Away From This Tv -- I'm Gonna Treat You Like King! -- Who Got The Camera? -- Stop Being Polite And Start Getting Real -- 2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted -- Conclusion : Deeper Than Rap. Eric Harvey. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.