Author: Newsroom
July 26, 2024 – The Graphic History Company today announced the publication of The Graphic History of Hip Hop (Volume 1), a groundbreaking educational resource that intertwines Hip Hop’s storied history, massive global appeal, and its extensive influence on culture, politics and economics.
Written and illustrated by two of the most preeminent voices in Afrofuturism, Walter Greason and Tim Fielder, The Graphic History of Hip Hop artfully celebrates 50 years of Hip Hop and provides an in-depth analysis on the movement’s popularity.
The Graphic History of Hip Hop is uniquely designed to engage students as they will see, hear and experience how the world of Hip Hop evolved in response to the rapidly changing political environment from the 1970s through the 2000s. From Run DMC to Missy, Eminem, Snoop and many others, readers can see how each of their favorite Hip Hop artists has laid the groundwork for the genre today.
“This book was born from a vision to convey complex topics in history,” said Greason. “It’s a powerful teaching tool that bridges generations and resonates with readers young and old. The Graphic History of Hip Hop not only appeals to educators and students, but also Hip Hop enthusiasts, music historians and fans.”
“The Graphic History of Hip Hop is the seminal marriage between the sequential comic art form and Hip Hop pedagogy,” said Fielder. “By combining academic rigor with artistry, this graphic novel presents complex and difficult subjects in an entertaining way to both students and mass audiences.”
Greason and Fielder will showcase the book at the panel “Hip Hop and Comics: Cultures Combining’ at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday, July 27. At this panel, moderated by DJ and pop-culture historian Patrick A. Reed, an all-star group of artistic innovators will discuss the bond between the creative cultures of Hip Hop and comics. In addition to this panel, both Greason and Fielder will be featured guests at the 7th Annual Afrofuturism Lounge taking place in San Diego on Thursday, July 25.
The graphic novel debuted in both the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American Culture and History in Washington, DC and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City bookstores this month, and 100,000 copies of an abbreviated version are in circulation in the New York City public schools system.
Walter Greason is the preeminent historian of Afrofuturism, the Black Speculative Arts, and digital economies in the world today. Tim Fielder is the OG visual Afrofuturist, illustrator, concept designer, cartoonist, and animator. He is the creator of the graphic novels INFINITUM: An Afrofuturist Tale, and the Glyph Award-winning ‘Matty’s Rocket.
The Graphic History of Hip Hop (Volume 1) is available now on Lightningsource, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Walmart.