Todd Boyd, Am I Black Enough for You": Popular Culture from the 'Hood and Beyond (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1997).

Boyd argues that even though hip hop has allowed for the greatly increased visibility of African Americans in mainstream media, much of what sells still cashes in on damaging images of blacks, causing many entertainers to unconsciously perpetuate stereotypes. With a compelling mixture of academic analysis and pop culture savvy, Boyd casts his gaze on such figures as Spike Lee, Bill Cosby, basketball stars and gangsta rappers to examine the paradoxes and costs of contemporary African American celebrity.

Chuck D. with Yusuf Jah, Fight the Power: Rap, Race, and Reality (New York: Delacorte Press, 1997).

The always outspoken and provocative Chuck D., frontman for Public Enemy, offers a firsthand account of his experiences in hip hop, his often—controversial political views and activism, and his...