The Definition of Bounce

Our boy "Lucky", a fellow student at Delgado Community College where I currently attend and who's been very supportive of the work we're doing there with the Ella Baker Organizing Committee, put me on to a new book today that is set to drop February 1st.

It's called The Definition of Bounce: Between Ups and Downs in New Orleans authored by "10th Ward Buck" who we've already had the pleasure to meet.

For those who have been following the blog, you'll know that we've been giving particular attention to Bounce hip-hop lately. We're doing this for two reasons: one, it remains an esoteric form of hip-hop not known much outside NOLA and, two, it is some of the most dynamic, revolutionary, and democratic hip-hop that we are aware of.

The geography of Bounce fits perfectly alongside writer David Drake's contention that, "hip-hop’s story is regional. Its rise is regional because of how differently it has been interpreted from place to place—from its beginnings in the boroughs of New York, moving across the country—hip-house in Chicago, bay area pimp shit, LA gangsta, and of course the massive conglomeration of styles that worked their way across the south, from Miami bass in Florida to the screw music of Houston and everywhere in between—rap is a highly adaptable music form, and as a result is extremely democratic. You don’t have to follow New York lyrical rules and you don’t have to make southern club anthems; the cultures of each geographical region would completely redefine the sound of hip-hop both at a regional level and, very often, on the pop charts."

You can preorder a copy at towerbooks.com at the link above. Shout out to Buck. We hope to do an interview with him about it soon.