Toby Brazwell's "Plan A" was a career as a musician and performer, and he chased that dream for 13 years with his hip hop group, Edotkom. Invincible onstage, Toby shared the bill with legendary acts like L'il Kim, Public Enemy, The Fugees and Black Eyed Peas.But offstage, Toby realized music was feeding his soul, but not his family. The bills piled up, the life he imagined for himself was out of reach. Something had to change. Dreams are important, but contingencies are necessary.Using the concepts in this book, Toby has become a sales leader, speaker, empowerment coach and, now, author of The Empowerment Chords: Change Your Perspective, Find Your Power.These chords helped Toby strengthen his relationship with his family, attain professional success and keep music in his life.The Empowerment Chords can do the same for you. It's time to change your perspective and find your power!

A rapper spits rhymes into a microphone. A DJ scratches a record back and forth against a turntable needle. Fans' feet stomp along to a stiff beat. These are the sounds of hip-hop.
Hip-hop music busted out of New York City in the 1970s. Many young African Americans found their voices after stepping up to the mic. In the decades afterward, rappers and DJs took over the airwaves and transformed American music. In the 21st century, hip-hop is a global sensation.
Learn what inspired hip-hop's earliest rappers to start rhyming over beats as well as the stories behind hip-hop legends such as Run-D.M.C., 2Pac, Lauryn Hill, and Jay-Z. Follow the creativity and the rivalries that have fueled everything from party raps to songs about social struggles. And find out how you can add your own sounds to the mix!

Themes: Hi-Lo, urban nonfiction, music, entrepreneur, Hip-Hop, celebrities, biographies. People find it very hard to describe Nicki Minaj. She is a very successful solo rap artist. But that leaves out her talent in other styles of music. You could describe her as a fierce feminist. But she also works hard at being really cute. Fans of Nicki Minaj understand that she is anything but simple. There's no doubt about it, today's students listen to an average of 2.5 hours of music every day. Guess what they are listening to? Hip-hop is mainstream, continually topping Billboard's Hot 100 charts. These Hi-Lo biographies engage striving readers from the very beginning with blinged-out covers, stunning four-color photographs, modern and graphic page design, and high-interest informational text. Biographies highlight the unique characteristics of each mega-rapper, including childhood struggles, personal style, rivalries, giving back, and more. Each 48-page book includes a timeline and glossary, with vocabulary words highlighted throughout.

This biography highlights the life and accomplishments of J. Cole. Readers learn about J. Cole's early life, inspiration to pursue music, and successes as a hip-hop artist. With striking photographs and sidebars, the book explores J. Cole's academic drive, relationship with his mom, and charity work. Features include a timeline, glossary, references, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

Traces the history of rap music to its origins in blues, Motown, soul, R&B, and reggae, chronicling its 1970s rise to popularity and citing how its development evolved from the centuries-old griot traditions of West Africa.

Themes: Hi-Lo, urban nonfiction, music, entrepreneur, Hip-Hop, celebrities, biographies. Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. wrote his first rhyme at age eight. Lil Wayne still sets his own rules and does not let people tell him how to make his music. He's an artist with a trademark appearance, wearing his hair in dreadlocks. His teeth are covered in gold, platinum, and diamonds. His body is covered with tattoos. And he is rarely seen without a red bandana. There's no doubt about it, today's students listen to an average of 2.5 hours of music every day. Guess what they are listening to? Hip-hop is mainstream, continually topping Billboard's Hot 100 charts. These Hi-Lo biographies engage striving readers from the very beginning with blinged-out covers, stunning four-color photographs, modern and graphic page design, and high-interest informational text. Biographies highlight the unique characteristics of each mega-rapper, including childhood struggles, personal style, rivalries, giving back, and more. Each 48-page book includes a timeline and glossary, with vocabulary words highlighted throughout.

Themes: Hi-Lo, urban nonfiction, music, entrepreneur, Hip-Hop, celebrities, biographies. Drake stands out among hip-hop stars. The Jewish Canadian actor has never struggled with drugs or poverty. Critics question his authenticity. Yet Drake has a great attitude. He says, "At the end of the day, I consider myself a black man because I'm more immersed in black culture than any other. Being Jewish is kind of a cool twist. It makes me unique." There's no doubt about it, today's students listen to an average of 2.5 hours of music every day. Guess what they are listening to? Hip-hop is mainstream, continually topping Billboard's Hot 100 charts. These Hi-Lo biographies engage striving readers from the very beginning with blinged-out covers, stunning four-color photographs, modern and graphic page design, and high-interest informational text. Biographies highlight the unique characteristics of each mega-rapper, including childhood struggles, personal style, rivalries, giving back, and more. Each 48-page book includes a timeline and glossary, with vocabulary words highlighted throughout.

Highlights the life and accomplishments of Kendrick Lamar. Learn about Lamar's early life, inspiration to pursue music, and successes as a hip-hop artist. With striking photographs and thought-provoking sidebars, the book brings to life Lamar's protest music, musical influences, and social justice work. Features include a timeline, glossary, references, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

This biography highlights the life and accomplishments of Chance the Rapper. Readers learn about Chance's early life, inspiration to pursue music, and successes as a hip-hop artist. With striking photographs and thought-provoking sidebars, the book brings to life Chance's faith, fatherhood, activism, and Chicago pride. Features include a timeline, glossary, references, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

You think hip-hop is all about sex, drugs, money and violence? The same music that is considered a negative influence can be used to uplift and inspire! 365 Hip-Hop: Daily Motivational Quotes is the first book to provide encouragement and hope by pulling from the positive things your favorite Hip-Hop and R&B artists have said. Every day you'll get a hard-hitting quote, message and affirmation that will change your mindset. Make this your best year ever!

There's no doubt about it, today's students listen to an average of 2.5 hours of music every day. Guess what they are listening to? Hip-hop is mainstream, continually topping Billboard's Hot 100 charts. These hi-lo biographies engage striving readers from the very beginning with blinged-out covers, stunning four-color photographs, modern and graphic page design, and high-interest informational text. Biographies highlight the unique characteristics of each mega-rapper, including childhood struggles, personal style, rivalries, giving back, and more. Each 48-page paperback book includes a timeline and glossary, with vocabulary words highlighted throughout.

Title: Jay-Z Binding: Paperback Author: SaddlebackEducationalPublishing Publisher: SaddlebackEducationalPublishing

There's no doubt about it, today's students listen to an average of 2.5 hours of music every day. Guess what they are listening to? Hip-hop is mainstream, continually topping Billboard's Hot 100 charts. These hi-lo biographies engage striving readers from the very beginning with blinged-out covers, stunning four-color photographs, modern and graphic page design, and high-interest informational text. Biographies highlight the unique characteristics of each mega-rapper, including childhood struggles, personal style, rivalries, giving back, and more. Each 48-page paperback book includes a timeline and glossary, with vocabulary words highlighted throughout.

Themes: Hi-Lo, urban nonfiction, music, entrepreneur, Hip-Hop, celebrities, biographies. She was a little girl born on an island in the Caribbean Sea. She dreamed of singing for more than just her schoolmates and friends. She sold clothing in a street stall. But one day she would be famous enough to help children who were poor. Now she's a megastar. Rihanna has been on television, in movies, and splashed across the covers of popular magazines. There's no doubt about it, today's students listen to an average of 2.5 hours of music every day. Guess what they are listening to? Hip-hop is mainstream, continually topping Billboard's Hot 100 charts. These Hi-Lo biographies engage striving readers from the very beginning with blinged-out covers, stunning four-color photographs, modern and graphic page design, and high-interest informational text. Biographies highlight the unique characteristics of each mega-rapper, including childhood struggles, personal style, rivalries, giving back, and more. Each 48-page book includes a timeline and glossary, with vocabulary words highlighted throughout.

There's no doubt about it, today's students listen to an average of 2.5 hours of music every day. Guess what they are listening to? Hip-hop is mainstream, continually topping Billboard's Hot 100 charts. These hi-lo biographies engage striving readers from the very beginning with blinged-out covers, stunning four-color photographs, modern and graphic page design, and high-interest informational text. Biographies highlight the unique characteristics of each mega-rapper, including childhood struggles, personal style, rivalries, giving back, and more. Each 48-page paperback book includes a timeline and glossary, with vocabulary words highlighted throughout.

Title: Kanye West Binding: Paperback Author: SaddlebackEducationalPublishing Publisher: SaddlebackEducationalPublishing,Inc.

Themes: Hi-Lo, urban nonfiction, music, entrepreneur, Hip-Hop, celebrities, biographies. Bad-boy Chris Brown signed with Jive records at age fifteen. "I hope I can be the next Michael Jackson," Brown said. His first album was an instant top-ten hit. Grammy nominations brought him even more attention. Billboard named Chris 2008's Artist of the Year. He maintained a low profile after his assault of then-girlfriend, Rihanna. But now he's back on top. There's no doubt about it, today's students listen to an average of 2.5 hours of music every day. Guess what they are listening to? Hip-hop is mainstream, continually topping Billboard's Hot 100 charts. These Hi-Lo biographies engage striving readers from the very beginning with blinged-out covers, stunning four-color photographs, modern and graphic page design, and high-interest informational text. Biographies highlight the unique characteristics of each mega-rapper, including childhood struggles, personal style, rivalries, giving back, and more. Each 48-page book includes a timeline and glossary, with vocabulary words highlighted throughout.

'The Art Album' is an illustrated book celebrating the long-standing relationship between the visual arts and hip-hop music, and is the result of a collaboration between two giants of the American music scene. Dawud Knuckles is a veteran of the record industry in America. In the 1990s, his friends founded the hip-hop record label Ruff Ryders, with whom he worked for many years as a videographer. He has subsequently worked with many recording artists on interviews, special projects, tours, and documentaries for Ruff Ryders. Through his career in the music industry, Dawud has made many influential contacts, including Russell and Danny Simmons, who is contributing to the book. The Simmons insightfully explores the themes of a selection of songs and how the subculture of hip-hop relates to, and has influenced contemporary art. Each chapter of the book will have a theme- for example, the theme of one chapter will be New York, and the title of the chapter will be 'Empire State of Mind'- Jay-Z's epic single which peaked within the top in 10 in 10 countries in 2009. Lyrics from the song will be presented beside contemporary art inspired by New York, an exclusive commentary from Russell and Danny Simmons (celebrated artist and philanthropist), and a contextualizing text from legendary writer and activist Nikki Giovanni, as well as other academics. This concept of presenting songs, art, and interviews alongside each other will offer an incomparable insight into the influence that hip-hop has on contemporary culture, and the unrivaled significance that this subculture has risen to. This collaboration between so many big names in music, art and academia is a unique project.

Saddleback Educational Publishing

The Headspin. The Windmill. The Six Step. Are you ready to breakdance? From wicked freezes to daring spins, the moves in this book are perfect for dancers with attitude. So throw on a comfortable pair of sweatpants, turn up the music, and learn some jaw-dropping breaking moves.