The title of this series is a bit misleading. While the anecdotes you’re about to read are culled from the pages of hip-hop history, the lessons in them apply to various aspects of life. First, a little backstory on this insanely ambitious project. TRU contributor and music producer Joe Andriulli approached me with the idea of a hip-hop “blueprint” a long time ago . It sounded like something I, as a reader, would love to see on TRU. So, it was a no-brainer. We’ve been working on the project on and off for the past 8 months. After a gazillion email exchanges, hundreds of hours of brainstorming and research, and thousands of text compiled, we’re finally ready to unveil The Rap Up’s 49 Laws of Hip-Hop.
Although Joe and originally I set out to craft a set of guidelines, we ended up with a rich anthology of hip-hop chess moves. Every culture possesses clear entrepreneurial dynamics that its collective soul is always trying to grasp. In this series, we’ll attempt to zoom in on those subtle filters that separate the greats from the ordinary. As these scenarios show, a unique set of principles drives each instance of success — or failure — in hip-hop. Bookmark the 49 Laws of Hip-Hop category, get on board, and join us every week in our journey to explore the world through the prism of hip-hop.
Tune in tomorrow for Law 1.
artwork by: Ivan Rott
Pingback: Daily Toke: I don't want the fact that I'm still awake to imply that you are interesting | Hail Mary Jane