Who Shot Ya? is a highly comprehensive presentation of the diachronic development and birth of hip hop culture. Kevin Powell manages to share this most important history in a clear accurate language that will benefit both young and old, especially those who believe that hip hop culture began during the age of music and television videos and those who are not quite certain if hip hop is a culture at all. Additionally, Ernie Paniccioli provides a brilliant, inspiring, photohistory that brings his subjects to life at your very finger tips. Together, Powell and Paniccioli provide a dual approach addressing a much needed historical and pictorial revision that will serve to guide many in their quests for knowledge and truth. Most importantly, Powell and Paniccioli share the tremendous impact that hip hop culture has had on the nation and the world. We are blessed by this text.
Ronnie Hopkins, Ph.D.
Dean of the School of Honors
Associate Professor of English
Benedict College
1600 Harden Street
Columbia SC 29204
803.253.5413

Let me just say that the book is great! It's a conversation piece, photo journal, nostalgia, and more importantly, our musical & cultural history, all roled up into one. "Who Shot Ya?" is very engaging as well as entertaining. Not just for young Hip Hop fans but for those interested in seeing an important time of our history come to life.

There are so many never seen before pictures of artist such as Queen Latifa, MC Lyte, Busta, Lauren Hill....the list goes on and on. Even some of the artist were surprised when they saw some old school photos of themselves.

The love and respect that both Ernie and Kevin have for HipHop culture is felt on every page.

This would make a nice gift. Check it out.

Ernie Paniccioli has given Hip-Hop fans a treasure of photographs of nearly everyone who has been involved with Hip-Hop. His collections feature Old School Stars such as Grandmaster Flash and goes up to current stars such as Mystikal, Nelly, Nas , JayZ ,Common, and Talib Kweli. It will bring back memories of how some stars looked back in the dayz (Mary J. Blige in her classic ghetto fabulous style of jeans, boots and baseball cap). In addition, it will give a glimpse back in time at forgotten groups and rappers(Ultramagnetic MCs, KidnPlay, Jungle Brothers, Roxanne Shante etc.) The only slight I have with this book is that it did not have a picture of my old schoolmate DJ Scott La Rock (You will see KRS-One in a picture over a mural featuring Scott's name). A must buy for all Hip-Hop fans.

In the traditions is a good collection of poetry and short stories from african americans from the early 90's. Some of the writers included are even more known today for some of their other works since this collection was written.

Got this after a desire to collect the 9-11 comics as my ending run in comic collecting, and I must say I am impressed with not only the size of it, but the consitent and diverse work inside. Loads of unfamiliar work that perhaps wouldn't be seen on such a public level with such quality, and at 200 pages for the price its at, its damn good.

The stories themselves? Some make you think. Some make you wonder. All make you remember.

There's really not much I can say about this book. The stories contained in it are poignant and touching and heartbreaking and hopeful all at once, and each and every contributor has given not only their time and talent to the project, but clearly they've also given a piece of their hearts. Being born and raised in New York City, the events of September 11th are especially painful to me, but I came away from reading this book feeling just a little more hopeful than I did when I started it. Kudos to all involved for a magnificent effort. (And all of the money goes to a good cause, too!)

The power of the comic book medium is that, by using drawings, they express emotions and reactions that are difficult to put down in words. Due to the extreme nature of this event, this is an excellent way to express what we have all been through.

The most impact is provided by the independent, i.e. non-superhero, writers who express what they went through with pictures and words. From the initial shock to the lingering malaise, the complete cycle is expressed. Reading this book brought back those feelings in me and, even though my emotions were swelling up, I kept reading. This event is now part of our collective experience and we are forever affected by it.

I recommend reading through when you need some perspective on what's important in life. Enjoy life, tell your friends and family that you love them because you never know when it may end.

This review doesn't get too into the content of the book but the impact that it had. As for me, that's the sign of a good read.

The rest was brilliant, most loved Junot Diaz, the Sun, the Moon, the Stars. The fiction, poetry, and essays in Step Into A World were intense, thought provoking, and at times humorous reads. Then I'd find myself turning back to Kevin Powell's introduction wondering why he was so angry. He'd accomplished his goal of putting together an anthology that would go against the grain of the mass marketed African American literature that has dominated the book shelves. I'm happy for him, so why couldn't Kevin be happy too. Two words, "Anger Management", get some. No one wants to hear all of the "fight the power" rhetoric in the year 2000. Peace out, and keep hope alive.

I have followed Kevin Powell's career from the days on MTV's Real World to his stint as editor at VIBE magazine to his memoir "Keeping it Real". He has compiled here a magnificent volume of Gen X African American writers who are intelligent and thought provoking. Where do I start? Well for one I have to disagree with the previous reviewer about Powell's anger. I think the introduction was a prelude to the rest of the great writing. Angry? I think not. He's just keeping it real. That said, this book is not just Kevin Powell, though he does have a moving essay that I read a few years ago in VIBE- "Live From Death Row" which gives the background of the label of Tupac Shakur, among others. There is other hip-hop journalism from Joan Morgan and Farai Chideya, two of my favorites. Scott-Poulson-Bryant's view of Puff Daddy in "This is Not a Puff Piece" is illuminating. I was thrilled with the essay section. Prolific writers such as Veronica Chambers torn between family and integrity with "Mama's Girl", Lisa Jones exploring multiculturism with "Are We Tiger Woods yet?", and Lonnae O'Neal Parker's revealing portrait in "White Girl". The criticism section has Erin Aubrey examing Ebonics/Black English in "The Soul of Black Talk". Poetry by Ruth Forman and Lenard D. Moore, among many others; fiction by Junot Diaz, a humorous, touching story, "The Sun, the Moon, the Stars"; Edwidge Danticat, Tannarive Due. There is a Dialogue section as well. The list of talent is endless; Paul Beatty, Danzy senna, Danyel Smith. Valerie Boyd's "In Search of Alice Walker" tells about going to Ms. Walker's hometown and the legacy there of Uncle Remus. I get exhausted just trying to remember what I have read. I purchased this book as a gift to myself on December 21 and by the end of the month, I have read almost over half the some 460 pages. And the bios, the bios are worth the price of the book. They give insight to the writers character and uncanny genius. I just found out that Powell edited another anthology "The New Black Literature" in the early 90s. I want to get that and make a comparison. This anthology is well worth every cent. Treat yourself real soon.

Kevin Powell, along with an impressive cast of literary characters, hip-hop journalists and elegant poets/writers has done an impeccable job of organizing and editing some of the finest new black literature at the turn of this century. Almost all of the essays, poems and articles are engaging, insightful and provocative-including some of those re-worked from his days as a Vibe contributor. Hip-hop feminist and Essence editor Joan Morgan offers a much-needed and honest feminist analysis of her thoughts on the misogyny of hip-hop and how it has effected her life with her essay, "Hip-Hop Feminist" and dream hampton follows suit with her candid piece, "Confessions of a hip-hop critic." In the fiction section there is a painfully beautiful and hilarious story by Junot Diaz entitled, "The Sun, the Moon and the Stars" as well as a piercingly accurate piece on the state of black literature and the exploitation of shallow African-American characters in the world of white publishing by Debra Dickerson entitled, "She's Gotta Have it." Among the other strong points of the anthology are intensely beautiful poetry provided by the likes of Nuyorican poet Willie Perdomo, a wonderful letter by Sarah Jones of "Surface Transit" fame, and an wonderful excerpt from Veronica Chambers' "Mama's Girl." Overall, this anthology is, to date, the most defining collection of Generation X and Y, proclaiming (rightfully so) that "The Word Movement" an impressive, eloquent cast of insightful scribes is akin to the Harlem Renaissance of the 20's and 30's and the Black Arts Movement of the 70's.

I think that this book was so hot because it is written by a person from my generation. I have to say that Kevin did "Keep It Real" and that he told us what was on his mind. I also like that Kevin matured in the book as he was able to see what his flaws were. I also have to thank him because after reading his book I realized that I was making some of the same mistakes that he made. Kevin is a great author and I can't wait to read some more of his work.

After listening to a lecture that Kevin gave here at Auburn University, I immediately bought his book the same night. After reading the book in two nights, I wanted to call him up and thank him for writing my biography. His stories were real, so real that they brought back memories. His letters were touching, so touching that I cried, laughed and cried again. His words were so vivid, I could close my eyes and see what was going on. This book is a must read for any young urban african american male, and for anyone who wants to understand them.

I bought Keepin It Real shortly after it was published in 1997. I started to read it but it was just too painful. Last week, I picked it up again and read it within three days. Kevin's letters are so raw and honest. I felt for the brother. There is not a false note anywhere in this book.

I picked up this book for a buck in a discount bin at a local chain bookstore because I remember seeing Kevin Powell on MTV. A true poet has artistic insight and Powell clearly lacks the necessities to be a genuine artist. His poetry is thin and childish, very much like singer Jewel's collection of poetry. Being young, male, and black is not enough. One needs talent, too. I'll stick with Hattie Gossett, Willie Perdomo, and the other generation of young black and latino poets who are writing words that change lives!

I loved Kevin on MTV and I love him even more since reading his poetry. Kevin brings to surface very real issues and relating is not that hard. I believe he has some developing to do regarding his style. Overall he is very promising and brings to the table an interesting commentary on life. Kevin if you are ever in Jersey look me up;)

Recognize, the last poem in the book is the best one. He seems to finally speak honestly, directly without dodging and hiding his meaning. There is a real voice, authentic in its authority, demanding your attention. recognize this. Its Kevin Powell's voice, describing the state of the world in general,& in specific, his life. The first section of the book seems scattered, but the finale brings it all together in the end.