According to author Bynoe, Hip Hop is a cultural expression that encompasses music, narrative poetry, dance, and art as reflected by its original four elements. Those elements are DJing, MCing (rapping), B-boying (break dancing), and graffiti or aerosol art. Bynoe represents each of these elements in this encyclopedia. Entries, ranging from A+ to Zulu Nation, include biographical or descriptive information, popular songs or albums, apparel and other marketing ventures of artists, and, in several cases, highlights of artists' criminal offenses. Entries are alphabetical, either by the artist's real last name, or stage name, if the latter is more prevalent. Real names appear in brackets next to stage names but are not cross-referencedor listed in the index. Music-related entries also include a discography with known original recordings or a selection of the artist's complete works. A list of entries, a preface, an introduction, two appendixes, a bibliography, and an index are included. The introduction offers a historical and cultural look at hip-hop. Appendixes provide a selected rap discography, including recordings of hip-hop and rap classics, and Statements to Preserve and Appreciate Hip Hop Culture, aka The Hip Hop Declaration of Peace unveiled at the UN on May 16, 2002. A selected bibliography includes a sampling of the more credible books, articles, and Web sites on hip-hop. The indexing and cross-referencing are incomplete. For example, the U.T.F.O. is made up of four group members: Doctor Ice, the Kangol Kid, the Educated Rapper, and Mix-Master Ice. None of the group members are listed in the index, nor is there a cross-reference in the index from UnTouchable Force Organization to U.T.F.O. Uninformed hip-hop researchers may have difficulty navigating with the inconsistent indexing and cross-references. Even with its indexing problems, the encyclopedia is a great addition to music and cultural reference collections. The All Music Guide to Hip-Hop (Backbeat Books, 2003) includes 20 essays on rap and hip-hop topics but nothing as thorough as this encyclopedia. It is by no means a complete look at a huge and diverse topic, particularly the international scene, but will complement reference collections.

Adult/High School-A comprehensive resource covering the artists as well as various topics relevant to the culture. The insightful historical introduction will help readers understand the separate elements embraced by rap and hip-hop: the verbal (MCing), and the musical (DJing), break dancing, and aerosol painting. The alphabetical entries cover all these elements and include most of the well-known rap artists and groups, along with some less-familiar names. The articles also acknowledge some of rap's detractors. Average-quality, black-and-white photos are scattered throughout. The author's cross-references are especially helpful and the index will lead readers to information about individual artists beyond their main entry. The appendixes contain a selected discography and statements regarding the appreciation and preservation of hip-hop culture, including the "Hip Hop Declaration of Peace." This title will be of interest to browsers and report writers.-Tim Wadham, Maricopa County Library District, Phoenix, AZ Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.