Ice-T shot me in the face...

Ice-T Shot Me In The Face & Eleven Other Stories Rap Music.

Forget reading that four line blog post about Lil Wayne for a minute, and direct your attention to the first book from Toronto based freelance music journalist Luke Fox. This is perhaps the furthest thing from the inane, regurgitated micro-posting that music writing has become, with 12 feature length stories centered on some of raps finest, complete with subtle illustrations by Jeremy Wirth. Fox narrates up close and personal encounters with Kool G Rap, Ghostface Killah, Nas, Kanye West, Common and more, capturing their personalities with a well informed wit and style.

After spending 10 years as a staff writer and editor for Pound Magazine, Fox stockpiled a wealth of interviews with emcees, producers, and DJs, experience that shows in his fluid and confident writing. Ice-T Shot me in the Face & Eleven Other Stories About Rap Music is first and foremost written by a fan, offering a refreshingly hearty helping of edutainment, and a welcome departure from the new world of fast food music journalism.