Houston Rap
A nice diversion from festive fluff, new book Houston Rap uncovers the life of the hip-hop community in Houston, Texas.
The comprehensive 270-page tome features a series of striking photographs by Peter Beste, who spent nine years documenting the culture of the Houston neighbourhoods of Fifth Ward, Third Ward and South Park.
‘We see it as an immersion,’ says Beste. ‘The idea was always to provide an insight into the community of the arguably most powerful Hip Hop scene in the world today.’
Beste was accompanied in his endeavours by writer Lance Scott Walker, and the book is edited by Johan Kugelberg, who was also jointly responsible with Beste for the cover artwork. The type design is by Will Cameron.
The images get up-close-and-personal with the main players in the hip hop scene; while artist profiles include those of Bun B of UGK, Z-Ro, Big Mike, K-Rino, Willie D of the Geto Boys, Lil’ Troy, and Paul Wall, alongside reflections on the lives of departed legends such as DJ Screw, Pimp C, and Big Hawk.
‘We edited the book as a 24 hour glimpse into the culture,’ says Kugelberg. ‘We take you from the projects to the studio to the strip club and back, all along with an on-going oral history narrative from the people of the culture.’
Houston Rap is published by Sinecure Books priced £53
-
Post a comment