The New H.N.I.C. (Head Niggas in Charge): The Death of Civil Rights and the Reign of Hip Hop

In this well-written and highly entertaining tomb, Boyd provides commentary that is both insightful and thought-provoking on a subject whose popularity continues to baffle mainstream America. While there are many who wish hip hop would simply vanish the way of disco and the dinosaur, the art form once dubbed "the voice of the street" has instead become more popular than ever with no sign of slowing. Like it or hate it, hip hop is here to stay and the implications deserves closer inspection. Boyd does so here with gusto, delving into issues of class and race that desperately need to be delved into, especially as we move into an era where racial issues are still as omnipresent as ever, but have become increasingly more complex. All in all a great read.

Dr. Boyd's book is not really like his other publications, "Am I Black Enough For You" is a scholarly investigation, "Young Black Rich and Famous" more of a standard non-fiction subject history approach. The New HNIC however is a manifesto. You won't find Boyd's words appended with footnotes and references. You won't find him carefully elaborating a declaration or assumption. He delineates his arena--drawing the line in the sand, putting the chip on the shoulder--in the entertaining introduction and that sets up how he'll play this game. This is one long rap. It's not a tome of scholarly resonance, it's Boyd telling things the way he sees it. It is his worldview, his opinions he doesn't back them up or justify them with the onerous works of other scholars that have approved tired old opinions. This feels fresh and vibrant. I disagree with some or a lot of what Boyd has to say, but his flow is so good that he makes you think and engage his words, ideas, rap. I'm not bound down trying to understand him having to sift through layers of obfuscation or completing missing a point because it's been clarified and backed up sixty times in one paragraph. No Boyd flows from one idea to the next, his flow is smooth and his position elegant enough to make it compelling, even to someone like me who would have disagreed with almost all of his positions before reading the book, but I can at least now understand them better having taken in this manifesto.In the end I was left thinking this: When I dismiss hip-hop for cultural reasons--because I'm uncomfortable with the drugs, crime, language, bashing, sexism etc--when I hold these things in contempt and refuse to understand them I am committing the same cultural crime of the 'great' white settlers and crusaders of old whose creed was intolerance and dominance. If I look on what was done to Native Americans and other indigenous people treated as 'savages' with revulsion, wondering how man could do such a thing I need to examine myself and understand the potential within myself for that to carry on. I have come away with a better understanding and appreciation of what hip-hop is and its importance as a culture to be valued. Hip-hop should not feared because it is different--the other--because it refuses to assimilate to our expected cultural standards. Hip-hop should be embraced as an expression of diversity of American culture.

Todd Boyd is the stuff. His book Am I Black Enough For You was all that but he has out done himself with this new release. I couldn't put it down. It rings with truth, honesty and clarity. If one is interested in a fresh balanced view of rap and hip hop then you have found a great starting place. This is a must read for anyone who is serious about hip hop. I am teaching a class on hip hop this summer and this will be the first book my students read. Thanks Todd you done done it again!...

I liked this book and learned a lot from it. Todd Boyd takes on some sacred cows and takes no prisoners. He convincingly argues that the civil rights movement has outlived its usefulness and relevance for black America and the rest of society. In pointing out the failures of Jesse Jackson and his crowd, I believe Boyd says what lots of people are thinking, but are afraid to say, and his words pack a punch. Using anecdotes, biographies and lyrics from rap music to support his theory, he shows why hip hop is a better tool now for analyzing and understanding current cultural trends and attitudes. And the fact that you can't open a newspaper or turn on the TV these days without hearing some hip hop lingo spoken or seeing Eminem, Snoop Dogg or some other hip hop figure just proves his point. Boyd also does a great job of explaining the messages behind the music that has become an ideology for so many. The most enlightening aspect of the book are the numerous instances Boyd points to of the huge impact of hip hop on mainstream tastes, politics and culture. In connection with that, his discussions--from a hip hop perspective--of Chris Rock, Jennifer Lopez, Bill Clinton and Eminem, among others, are daring, amusing and insightful. He doesn't let hip hop off the hook, either. Boyd worries about where the hip hop movement is headed. It's an entertaining and easy read. But while Boyd makes you laugh and groove to this new cultural beat, he also makes you think.