Contents

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. Preface ix
4. Introduction 1
5. Part I. Becoming Rappers
6. 1 Growing Up in Gangland 23
7. 2 Masters of Ceremony 47
8. 3 Freestyle 73
9. 4 The Battle 99
10. Part II. Trying to Blow Up
11. 5 Cautionary Tales 127
12. 6 Almost Famous 151
13. 7 Ditching the Day Job 169
14. 8 Gang Violence and Dreams Derailed 191
15. Conclusion 213
16. Shout Outs 225
17. Methods Appendix 229
18. Notes 241
19. References 261
20. Index 267