Know What I Mean? Reflections On Hip Hop

by Michael Eric Dyson, Nas (Afterword), Jay-Z (Introduction)

Whether along race, class or generational lines, hip-hop music has been a source of controversy since the beats got too big and the voices too loud for the block parties that spawned them. America has condemned and commended this music and the culture that inspires it. Dubbed “the Hip-Hop Intellectual” by critics and fans for his pioneering explorations of rap music in the academy and beyond, Michael Eric Dyson is uniquely situated to probe the most compelling and controversial dimensions of hip-hop culture. Know What I Mean? addresses salient issues within hip hop: the creative expression of degraded youth that has garnered them global exposure; the vexed gender relations that have made rap music a lightning rod for pundits; the commercial explosion that has made an art form a victim of its success; the political elements that have been submerged in the most popular form of hip hop; and the intellectual engagement with some of hip hop’s most influential figures. In spite of changing trends, both in the music industry and among the intelligentsia, Dyson has always supported and interpreted this art that bloomed unwatered, and in many cases, unwanted from our inner cities. For those who wondered what all the fuss is about in hip hop, Dyson’s bracing and brilliant book breaks it all down.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Hip Hop, Race, Cultural, African American

171 pages, Hardcover

First published June 19, 2007

About the author

Michael Eric Dyson is an American academic, author, and radio host. He is a professor of sociology at Georgetown University.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michael Eric Dyson is essentially THE academic defender of hip hop. Know What I Mean? is his latest book and covers subjects such as conscious rappers, misogyny, and the Imus controversy. I like that Dyson looks beyond the knee-jerk response common of critics of hip hop to discuss the larger societal issues that lead many hip hop artists to be obsessed with bling, bitches, and prison culture. The average critic would dismiss a lot of hip hop as disgusting due to it's portrayal of women. While Dyson is by no means condoning sexist lyrics, he offers reasons why sexism is so prevalent in a lot of black youth culture. He also believes that you shouldn't place all of the blame on individual artists...they are offering voice to a particular life experience; one that does not exist in a vacuum but is susceptible to sexist and racist ideas already in existence in larger white/mainstream culture.

Dyson also discusses issues of authenticity, how many young black men see prison as an inevitable right of passage, hypermasculinity, the generational divide between the hip hop generation and the older civil rights movement, and the idea of self-aggrandizement. I thought it was a little cheesy, but kinda clever how Dyson began each of his chapters with a quote from a rap that mentions his name...basically his own form of self-aggrandizement in book form. Jay-Z and Nas provide the "Intro" and "Outro" respectively and the book is an extremely fast read.

[Ebony · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn’t believe that Michael Eric Dyson’s Know What I Mean? is another collection of interviews. Can I get famous so I can write books without having to write them? Don’t get me wrong, the interview as track on an album was clever, but this is Dyson sampling Dyson sampling Dyson and I know the man is genius and a clever phrase turner but some of those witticisms I find impossible to believe were spewed on the spot despite his presentation.
I had a hard time determining the audience for the book. As a hip hop professor, there are no new ideas here. I wouldn’t assign it to my students because it’s too much of a gloss over really important issues. It could be assigned to high school students but the theory references would definitely be over their heads. Regular literate hip hop heads could digest the book easily but what would convince them to care about the race and gender issues he mentions in the text? He’s not just hyping his favorite artists. It’s a tough spot to be in to write (or give interviews as the case may be) on hip hop because the people you want to listen have to be persuaded to care and the listeners are the choir. I suppose while it’s not a good textbook, college students would be most interested as they bridge that tough spot between their communities and the college world.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate the voice that Michael Eric Dyson has given to the influence of Hip Hop on Black culture, and in a broader sense, American culture. He rightfully takes it to task for the negative affects it has had on black youth, but at the same time, he lauds its transformative qualities to provide a voice that has shaped and portrayed, at times with painfulness and shame, what society is.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is good...not great. I would rather listen to Michael Eric Dyson than read his books - something is lost in his written work for me. The chapter, "It's Trendy to be a Conscious Mc" is probably the best and most worthy of reading.

[Rafael Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good examination of Hip Hop culture in America.

[Dania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un essai novateur pour son époque sur pleins de sujets touchant le hip-hop et la société états-unienne avec un format facile et agréable à lire

[Muhammad · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Know What I Mean?, Michael Eric Dyson offers a compelling collection of essays that delve into contemporary cultural, political, and social issues through his signature sharp wit and insightful analysis. Dyson, a renowned scholar and public intellectual, explores topics ranging from race and identity to media and politics, all while maintaining a conversational and accessible tone.

What makes this book particularly engaging is Dyson's innovative structure: it is written in the form of an album, with each essay functioning as a "track" rather than traditional chapters. This musical metaphor creates a rhythmic flow, inviting readers to experience the book as a series of interconnected songs that build upon each other, reflecting the dynamic and layered nature of cultural discourse. The "tracks" cover a wide range of themes, from the influence of hip-hop and popular culture to the intricacies of racial justice and media influence.

Dyson's ability to blend personal anecdotes with rigorous critique makes complex issues relatable and thought-provoking. His writing is both passionate and nuanced, challenging readers to think critically about the world around them. Whether discussing the influence of music, the dynamics of race, or the role of media in shaping public opinion, Dyson's voice is both authoritative and empathetic.

Overall, Know What I Mean? is a lively, insightful, and often humorous collection that encourages reflection and dialogue. Its musical structure adds a unique layer of engagement, making it a distinctive and compelling read for anyone interested in understanding the cultural currents shaping society today.

[Craig Werner · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the introduction, Michael Eric Dyson presents this book as a stylistic response to hip-hop's call. But, as most of the reviews I glanced at indicate, it's really a book of interviews which dance back and forth between hip-hop culture and broader issues of race and gender. I liked it well enough, but what it basically does is articulate a progressive academic consensus, which emphasizes both the internal complexity of hip-hop and its traditions; and insists on recognizing the way in which the very real problems of hip-hop (misogyny, materialism, etc.) reflect much much larger cultural forces. As is almost always the case with hip-hop books, I wanted more specifics about songs rather than allusions to figures whose meaning is assumed to be transparent. (Mostly I understand and agree with those assumptions, but they're not spelled out in the book, which limits its usefulness.)

Dyson works damned hard in a multitude of media settings and I'm sympathetic to the reasons he puts out short books on topical subjects. But, as with Cornel West, I'm still hoping he'll find the time and focus to put together a book that will bring together the currents of his thought and follow through on the questions he raises.

[Jack Ochs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a few issues with this book: It can be a little bit self-absorbed at times (Dyson opens each chapter up with a lyric or quote from a rapper singing his, Dyson's, praises) and the rhetoric can seem a little sing-songy ( at times Dyson rhymes and use poetic cadence in his writing, which is an obvious allusion to hip hop music, but it makes him look like he takes himself too seriously). But aside from that, it is very refreshing, as a hip hop fan, to hear someone who takes hip hop culture so seriously, and defends it with undeniably well-crafted logic. I would do injustice to Dyson's theories by trying to re-explain them, but among the issues he tackles are: the misogny in hip hop culture and music and how it relates to the Don Imus and Duke Rape scandels; How patriarchy in hip hop reflects an ancient patriarchy in the black church; the constant emphasis on "reality" and "keeping it real" in hip hop, and if that emphasis holds rappers to a higher standard of artistic integrity, i.e. if a rapper stresses how "real" he is, how can he hide behind the fact that he is simply making art? Anyone interested in hip hop, both advocates and critics alike, should check this out.

[matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dyson seems to be the only intellectual there days willing to take up hip hop's cause as being recognized as a viable form of artistic expression, a shame considering the inherent value of a medium that allows a section of the population typically voice less (lower-income african american males) to be heard. One of Dyson's most poignant arguments is the outright dismissal of rap by scholars who wouldn't dream of critiquing any other genre/art form without a proper in-depth analysis.
Much is made of the (admitingly reprehensibly) violent lyrics but these criticism often take statements out of context, leading to sweeping generalizations based on flimsy hearsay and superficial critiques. If anything, this book is a nice opportunity to make the case for the gravitas of hip-hop, a process now 20+ years in the making.
Also of note is Dyson's chapter regarding to the Imus scandal, a particularly thought provoking train of thought that led to countless "a-ha!" moments.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many other Dyson books, this one is a series of remarkable essays that touch on everything from hip-hop beef to Don Imus' slander of the Rutgers basketball team. He creatively organizes the book like an album, with an "intro" by Jay-Z and an "outro" by Nas.

I enjoyed 99% of the book, and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the study of hip-hop as an intellectual pursuit, but can't help but admit that I found myself a little annoyed with his insistence at starting each chapter with some quote of praise of himself by a prominent rap artist. I'm sure that this was a tip of the hat to the way hip-hop artists constantly brag about their own merits, but in print format it came off as cheesy and a little sad. We get it , Mr. Dyson - famous people like you because you defend hip-hop with your intellect while others just take aim because it's an easy target. Ignore the quotes and you're in for a great read.

[Jordan Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fact: Michael Eric Dyson is an incredible human being. This cannot be argued. Postmodernist, preacher, philosopher, orator, commentator, professor, as the man once said, ‘I write books like n*ggas write hooks.’ And he will preach on any topic, including hip-hop, engaging it with the academy instead of dismissing it. He’s written and spoken about it a lot over the years, including a biography of Tupac Shakur and co-editing and contributing to an essay collection on Nas’ album Illmatic. This collection, mostly transcripts of talks he’s given on the lecture circuit or on television, is a critical primer on makes Dyson so essential to the ongoing discussion of the art on everything from its success to its gender politics.

[Andrew]

Boy, I wanted to like this more. He clearly has some really valuable ideas-- ideas I want to be taken up by a much broader spectrum of the populace-- but I kept finding myself saying "well, yeah-- elaborate on that." The references to theorists seemed to be tacked-on name checks to get intellectual cred-- it'd be a hell of a lot stronger if he left them out. Granted, this is a book I want all the lame white people out there to read to recognize that hip-hop has value, and it's a book I want young adults to read to prove to them that no matter what they're told, that hip-hop has value. And hey, NaS wrote the outro. But ultimately, I feel like I would have gotten just as much additional perspective on hip-hop by just listening to Illmatic again.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another interview-based book my Michael Eric Dyson. He's become more succinct in his writing, so there are thousands of "WOW" moments in this small, 160-page 1-week reader. He also uses the length of this book to demonstrate his linguistic flexibility and creativeness as if he were a hip hop artist. Though it's short, Michael sheds light on topics as diverse as political consciousness, the generation gap, feminism, sexism, racism, violence, poverty...and as usual, a stunning integration of theorists, writers and philosophers from biblical times to Nas and Lauryn Hill. I'd suggest it for anyone ages 14 and up, especially those who aren't that into hip hop.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was off the chart amazing. Dr. Dyson goes far beyond the surface levels of hip hop, and its effect on the culture of today.

Dr. Dyson disects the effects hip hop has had on the youth from the 70's until now, and the future effects is will have good and bad.

After reading this book it is apparently clear that there is still a long journey ahead in the fight. And not just for hip hop, but with the entire human race.

I recommend this book to everyone, even if you are not a fan of hip hop. This book will open your eyes to man yof the injustices still going on in the world today, and might even change your mind a little.

[Christopher]

Hip hop is an afterthought in this book, which makes for a head-scratching subtitle. The bit about conscientious rappers such as Common, Public Enemy, etc., was interesting, but other parts hardly referenced hip hop and felt repetitive. When I see Dyson on talk shows (Bill Maher, for instance) I come away impressed but I've found his writing to be less entertaining, less engaging. I enjoy (some) hip hop music, and I find it a valid art form regardless of the beat or the rhyme. But Dyson has done little, if anything, to influence my taste.

Side note: Even if I was a fan of Tupac, I don't feel I need to read Dyson's book on the man, since this book seemed enough of a love letter to Shakur.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more than I ended up liking it. Dyson's purpose is noble, if not downright heroic. His execution, however, doesn't live up to his goals. Dyson tries to have his book mirror a set of hip-hop songs, but he doesn't allow his guest artists a chance to get their solos. The talent that he has for name-dropping is reminiscent of many great rappers, but his wordplay is weak (even though--or because?--the reader can see him finding it rather clever. At the end of the day, his primary thesis--that hip-hop deserves to be taken seriously--is proved well. The next level of conversation will have to wait for a more talented lyricist, though.

[Brian Hickey · Rating 3 out of 5]

As much as I adore Dyson and the way in which he writes, this book is a collection of interviews and not a narrative (which I found somewhat dry at times). Though his take on hip hop is brilliant, I found myself craving precisely that rather than a back-and-fourth in various interviews. If you're a fan of Dyson and the genre, it's certainly worth the read. As I'm a massive fan of both, I do hope that hip hop is revisited by Dyson (or Coates) in a different form, one that is more engaging. Either way, I'm grateful that books like these exist as the genre is far too often misunderstood and demonized by those who don't fully understand it.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Michael Eric Dyson is wickedly smart, astute and articulate about all manner of topics - which is what made this book sometimes a pleasure. That said, it's essentially a series of essays written in the style of long-form interviews, which, like many collections of essays, left me with a few brilliant moments to ruminate on and a bunch of reductionist or filler material in between. I'd rather read the best of this book as an essay about race and have left some of the excessive pontificating behind.

[S10_tommccormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Eric Dyson is one of the nation’s most prominent African American cultural critics. In this book, which is presented in a question-and-answer format, Dyson examines many elements of contemporary hip-hop. Most notably, he addresses the fact that misogyny, greed, violence, and gay-bashing have become common in mainstream hip-hop and explores how hip-hop has become such a cultural juggernaut. This book has an academic tone, a relatively high level of difficulty, and requires some background knowledge, so it would be appropriate for older high school students.

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as a Secret Santa gift a few Christmases ago and finally read it this year (2012). For lovers of Byron Hurt's documentary, "Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes," I definitely recommend this mixtape non-fiction book. Michael Eric Dyson is a beloved critic on Hip Hop culture and teaches Theology, English, and African-American Studies at Georgetown University. In this book he breaks down topics such as why guns symbolize hypermasculinity, homophobia + queer sexuality in hip hop, and how Eminem gets "it" right in acknowledging his social position as a white rapper.

[Maths · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much significance to what Dyson says in this book. He articulately interprets the entire hip-hop movement and culture, drawing in from the resources of Hegel, Kant, Foucalt, Tupac, Hustle and Flow, etc. to show the utter signicance and importance hip-hop has had not only as an authentic cultural movement and artform, but also as a catalyst for economic, political, and cultural incentives. This is a must read.

[Tommy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Professor Michael Eric Dyson (the "hip hop intellectual") gives some of the most insightful, pointed and even-handed assessments of race (with a focus on hip hop and its culture) that is published today. The sheer intellectual depth and nuanced insight coupled with deep scholarship and understanding of hip hop is truly unique.

I can't think of a better author to read for an honest account of black identity and especially black youth than Michael Eric Dyson. He is absolutely a must read.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is mainly a collection of interviews Dyson has done on Hip Hop. It was informative but an easy read. His work seems to have a flow to it. (I love how Dyson moves back in forth between discussing theory and quoting rap hip hop lyrics.) Dyson is a scholar who knows his work and this comes through whenever he speaks or writes.

[Ryan Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dyson is a great writer and brings his intellectual style to hip hop music. It was fun to read a serious take on field of music that rarely receives such treatment. I didn't jive with all his views, and some of them were beyond me, but it gives weight to a lot of the music I've been listening to lately.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this book wasn't organized into interviews. It made it seem less coherent, and seemed like a lot of the information repeated. The info presented was interesting, but I also wished there was somewhere that I could see where Dyson gets his information. Overall, quick, interesting read, but could have gone much further and done it much better.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful. Definitely eye opening for most people seeing as how "hip hop" culture has become pop culture. This book delves beneath the superficial and commercial image of the art. It illustrates what drove the origination of the art and where it has gone right.

[Aziza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This man boldly told the truth about HipHip, its origin, why it is the way it is now and who's at fault for HipHop's flaws. I reccomend this book to any and everyone who loves hiphop and to people who don't understand hiphop.

[Julia · Rating 1 out of 5]

a gift from a well-meaning friend who knows my history with hip-hop...but this dude (m.e.d.) is such a turnoff...a huge ego...and i'm not really digging his cutesy format either. a more detailed hate review when i'm done (yep, i'm determined to finish it).

[Katarzyna Bartoszynska · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice primer to hiphop as object of theoretical inquiry. While it doesn't necessarily tell you anything you didn't know already if you listen to a lot of hiphop, and social theorists are namechecked rather than engaged with, it's an entertaining and fast-paced read.