The Big Payback

The History of the Business of Hip-Hop

By: Dan Charnas

Narrated by: Kevin R. Free

Length: 27 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

An original journalist for The Source, Dan Charnas built a celebrated career in the rap industry. In The Big Payback, he chronicles the rise of the hip-hop culture and shows how it became so powerful in a matter of decades. Charnas also profiles many of the movers and shakers in this burgeoning cultural movement, offering unprecedented access to an industry that continues to shake the globe.

©2010 Dan Charnas (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Nuanced treatment of the impresarios behind signature sounds and recording empires, and brisk, dramatic vignettes, give this history of a leaderless revolution impressive momentum.” ( Publishers Weekly)

The Best Hip Hop History Book Ever!

Any additional comments?

This was the most comprehensive hip-hop book I've ever read! If you're a hip hop artist, purist, educator, or simply a casual fan, this book starts you from the embryo and guides you to hip hop's middle age in a one seamless arc.

Most Comprehensive Book

Even though I may not like Hip Hop as much as other genres, this is the most comprehensive book that I ever read on a particular subject. No matter if you like Hip Hop or not, you will love this book because it's the most interesting read in a culture that is so popular among all ages.

Reading about how the legends got started in the scene was the best, like Run DMC, Beastie Boys, House of Payne, Dr. Dre, and the business, like Def Jam Records. The most interesting part is how they got into the mainstream so quickly, by changing the tunes on the radio overnight, by turning into a rap and pop station the next day.

In stead of reading thugs, pimps, and hoes, you will read the business side of this pop culture and how they become the 800 pound gorilla in music, fashion, Hollywood, and whatever else that they label as dope.

If you want to understand how Hip Hop got started, this is a infinite title that you have to pick up either in print or audio.

I gave it 4 out of 5 stars just because toward the end, the book became a bit too political with President Obama. It seems like that the President will bust a rhyme as he tries to get reelected for a second term, but that would be tight. It could happen, as the nation saw President Clinton played his saxophone on stage.

Front to back

This was a thorough.The stories were linked and insightful

Great read. Hip-Hop in every way!

So much love

If you have any interest at all in hip hop, you'd be doing yourself a huge favor by listening to this book. It's incredibly detailed, offering snapshots of pivotal moments in the rise of hip hop from beats in clubs and kids rapping on the street to the extremely successful and ubiquitous art form it is today. Although it's over 27 hours and nearly 700 pages in print, I only wish this was longer. The drama between some of the industry's leading figures not only gives context to lyrics that might not otherwise make sense, and imparts a deeper understanding of artists' identities - it's also makes for a lot of interesting narratives. Even if you think you know a lot about hip hop history already, you will almost certainly learn something new, and there's a perspective here you can only get from hearing it all in the context of the time and place in which it happened. Oh, and it's really well-written and narrated. Definitely recommend this one.

Hip-Hop Masterclass

An incredible read front-to-back. Whether you’re a head looking for an inside history on the culture or an entrepreneur looking for ideas, this book is for you. Just phenomenal.

Great book -- I learned a lot!

This book was awesome. I knew pretty much nothing about the history of hip hop as a genre when I started and I learned so much. I really, really enjoyed it.

It's definitely long. And there are times when there's a bit too much detail about certain aspects of the industry (I definitely got bored when they started talking about hip hop artists getting sponsorship from different kinds of flavored water), but it was really excellent overall.

I especially enjoyed the sections about the early history of R&B, DJs, and the disco scene and how that connected with the rise of hip hop.

Must Read if interested in Hip-Hop, Music, Culture

This was one of those rare books that I went into prepared to be disappointed but came away feeling like it was better than I even hoped.

I'm a fan of history, music, and hip-hop. Over the past 5 years or so I've become fascinated by the history of rap music. I had been looking for a book on the topic and finally decided to give this one a shot. It was fantastic. I didn't want it to end.

Charnas tells of the genre's history from before the beginning, through the early years, covering all of the different eras. The book is not just about facts and data; Charnas does the whole thing through stories. Charnas was there to experience much of the history that he writes about, but I have to say that he did a commendable job of telling both sides of any story and not being biased.

I do have one warning for prospective readers: while the stories of rappers and hip-hop icons are told brilliantly and covered extensively, much of this book deals with the business side of hip-hop. Many hip-hop fans will be fascinated by the sagas of Sugar Hill, Tommy Boy, Def Jam, Source Magazine, etc., but just a warning for those who feel like they might be bored by that side of the game.

There's a lot about record companies and distributors and radio stations and contracts in this history. But while that stuff may not always be as interesting as the artists and records, it is very important because the story of hip-hop is one that deals with breaking down doors and pushing through obstacles. Hip-hop is a culture; a way of life. This book treats it as such.

It took me a while to get used to Free as a narrator. Early on I wasn't really feeling it and wondered why Charnas hadn't just done his own narrating (he does an introduction to the book). However, I eventually came to really enjoy Free's style. In particular, I thought he did a great job with the dialog. There are a lot of quotes and conversations in this history, and I thought Free was excellent at bringing those voices to life while not overdoing it.

"Flava In Ya Ear"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to anyone with a love for Hip Hop or an interest in understanding it. It's the ROOTS for the Hip Hop Generation.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Big Payback?

Hard to pin-point a most memorable moment. It's like picking a favourite child.

Which scene was your favorite?

I haven't finished this anthology yet. But it is packed full of great stories that call upon sparks to engage conversations.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Certainly laughed. Brings a little personality out in those society puts on pedestals.

Any additional comments?

A must read! This should be show cased. It connects the dots of so much of what is happening now in fashion (New York's Eddie Plein as the godfather of the grill) to the rise of Harvard's Obama and the connection to the Source magazine. Thank you for creating an audible version of this book, it without question will put some flava in ya ear. Well written, researched, and delivered.

A must for anyone in the music industry.

One of the best books I've ever read in my life. First time I read it, second time iistened. Easily worth it.

From a Hip Hop Head

What did you love best about The Big Payback?

Coming from a person who has watched (and listened) to the culture grow, it was fascinating to hear how all the little bits and pieces that I picked up over the years were related one way or another. Having grown up in New York during the period that most of the book takes place, it explains HOW events in Hip Hop came to be.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This book covers ALOT of players in the industry. It is hard to pick a favorite. I did find Rick Rubin's story to be very interesting.

What about Kevin R. Free’s performance did you like?

His voice and style were perfect for this story. His normal speech is comfortable to listen to and he also sprinkles in authentic slang when appropriate. You get the feeling that Kevin is familiar with the events in the book by the way he reads. On a funny note, he pronounces the rapper's name Treach as Treech. Based on Kevin's reading of this book I have searched for other books that he has done.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes. Hearing the story of what happened to DJ Scott La Rock. Being a fan it was common knowledge back then what happened to him but I did not know the particulars.

Any additional comments?

Great book. Great performance. If you were of music listening age in the late 70's and are a fan you will gain great insight as to how each little progression came to be. And for all fans of Hip Hop, you will get accurate information on what occured to bring this music to the dominance it now enjoys.