amphigorist's review
informative
slow-paced
3.25
Informative and interesting collection of stories and brief biographical sketches from the early days of hip hop. Doesn't add up to more than the sum of it's very episodic parts tho. It probably means more to people already deeply immersed in the culture, who have the necessary musical context to put these moments into.
sizrobe's review
4.0
Fascinating stuff. My only complaint is that there's a lot of namedropping of artists that never come back up again. Probably because this volume covers a whole decade when vol 2-4 all span one or two years
eswee's review
informative
medium-paced
3.0
This first graphic novel of the Hiphop Family Tree series packs about 10 years in only a few pages. It's a lot of information and a lot of names, but the artwork is very fitting to the theme. It was interesting, but I do wish they focused a bit more on the early culture instead of on a lot of the names.
atalinay's review
I liked the concept, but I think the execution was a bit lacking for me. I would have liked less narration and more of a narrative. I think it could have done with some cohesion and story. It related events and introduced big names, but I didn't feel emotion from the various storylines and lives within the pages. The art is stellar and I like the choice of it for this story.
This volume felt long to read, but I'm still interested in reading about other groups (I think beastie boys is in the third volume). I also liked listening to the various songs it listed (I can sense myself quickly slipping into a funk phase). I am glad I picked it up though.
This volume felt long to read, but I'm still interested in reading about other groups (I think beastie boys is in the third volume). I also liked listening to the various songs it listed (I can sense myself quickly slipping into a funk phase). I am glad I picked it up though.
blacksentai's review
4.0
the art is gorgeous and the format from fantagraphics is awesome. love it. there are some issues overall with publishing like would black people have been able to sell the exact same book and how is it that white men have become the predominate sellers of hip hop history.
that said its worth reading through just for the art.
that said its worth reading through just for the art.
kylemfox's review
2.0
As much as I wanted to like this.... and I REALLY wanted to like it, I just couldn't get into it. Each panel was introducing a new character and I just lost interest. I would have much rather had one storyline go in depth vs trying to hit on everything. I will say the author did his homework and anybody who was anybody is included in this series.