The Message: 100 Life Lessons from Hip-Hop's Greatest Songs (edit title)

• Rated 5 stars

“I don't blurb just any book so it was an honor to read and support THE MESSAGE. Author Felicia Pride and her book represent for all the people in the hip hop community that defy the stereotypes -- intelligent, reflective, spiritual and ever evolving. ”

• Rated 0 stars

“This review originally appeared on my blog: http://selfra.blogspot.com

Book Review by Dan Tres Omi

Just the title alone seems daunting. Imagine putting together 100 songs in which one has gleamed some value lessons from. It is a task I would rather pass on to someone else. When I was introduced to the book on line, I ignored it. While perusing through the aisles of a local bookstore, the book stuck out like a sore thumb. I was planning on purchasing another book but once I thumbed through the pages and read the song titles, I had to cop it.

Felicia Pride uses songs from pretty much the entire era of hip hop music from “White Lines” to De La's “Grind Date.” Everyone seems to be in there from Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth to Ice Cube to EPMD to Tupac. Pride touches on everything from infidelity, friends, chasing one's dreams and goals, to the close death of loved ones and their impact on our lives. The author provides several anecdotes and celebrity stories to complement every lesson learned.

What I enjoyed about the book are the actual lessons Pride shares with the reader. There were several songs that I continue to rock but never really peeped the jewels dropped on each one. It is refreshing to learn what someone else got from each song. Walking around with the book is definitely an ice breaker. People act as if hip hop music provides nothing positive for the listener. Pride gives 100 reasons why they are wrong.

This book is listed under the self help section. While I have no problem with this, I found Pride's book to be a trip down memory lane. Each song has a history whether it has to do with the artist or the listener's first peep of the song. Every hip hop head over twenty five will most likely say the same. I am sure most folks will pull lessons and inspirations from Pride's book. I have to commend the author on her work. It was ambitious and well worth the work.”

• Rated 0 stars

“Tune in to hear literacy advocate, hip-hop baby, book lover, and writer/blogger extraordinaire, Felicia Pride, talk about all of her literary endeavors and new book, The Message: 100 Life Lessons from Hip-Hop’s Greatest Songs - http://www.thegrits.com/radio/?p=51 ”