Among the most exciting and eye-opening literature within the culture are rap memoirs. These autobiographies offer an in-depth look into the early lives and careers of some of the most influential figures in hip-hop. They typically go far beyond luxury cars, lavish jewelry, and studio sessions. Lyricists such as Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Jeezy, and even Gucci Mane have shared their personal stories of overcoming adversity in the streets, run-ins with the law, and feuds.
One of the most notable is 50 Cent’s From Pieces to Weight: Once Upon a Time in Southside Queens, which arrived in August 2005, months before his Get Rich or Die Tryin’ biopic premiered in November 2005. The book made the New York Times bestseller list and served as his first in a series of successful titles.
By sharing their journeys, some of our favorite rap stars not only humanize their once-misunderstood art form but also inspire readers from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, these memoirs have become hip-hop artifacts, helping to preserve the genre’s legacy and enriching our collective understanding of its impact on the culture.
Here are just a few rap memoirs you should add to your reading list:
“‘E.A.R.L.: The Autobiography of DMX“ by DMX- released November 2002
Excerpt: “Sitting in a swivel chair in the main recording room of Phoenix’s Chaton Studios, it’s part of a lesson about drugs and alcohol that he’s been giving to producer Swizz Beatz’s five-year-old little brother, who, for the past few hours, has been surrounded by a thick fog of weed smoke.“Â
“Decoded“ by Jay-Z – released November 2011
Excerpt: “The worst thing about being poor in America isn’t the deprivation.  In fact, I never associated Marcy with poverty when I was a kid. I just figured we lived in an apartment, that my brother and I shared a room, and that we were close—whether we wanted to be or not—with our neighbors.  It wasn’t until sixth grade, at P.S. 168, when my teacher took us on a field trip to her house that I realized we were poor.“
“The Autobiography of Gucci Mane“ – released September 2018
Excerpt: “I remembered that as low as my lows had gotten, I always had faith in myself.  That I always knew if I could get past those temporary moments, eventually I’d be up again.  Jail couldn’t beat me. Lean couldn’t beat me. No situation could beat me. I was the only one who could beat me.”
“Hurricanes: A Memoir“ by Rick Ross – released September 2019
Excerpt: A few minutes later, I was able to get myself out of bed.  I still wasn’t breathing right but I got into the shower to clean myself off and try to get myself together.  When the paramedics and police arrived, I had Tomcat turn them away. I’d been through this before. I’d be straight. But then I started coughing up blood in the shower. That had never happened before.”
“Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe It“ by Jeezy – released August 2023
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