Hip Hop: The Beat of America by Jarrett Williams

Over the past four years, History Comics Series has introduced to young readers several historical events from around the world through non-fiction graphic 
novels. This one in the series traces the history and origins of hip-hop in the US as young Aaliyah and her father Jaspar embark on a tour beginning in the Bronx, New York. Jaspar breaks down the elements of hip-hop for Aaliyah. He tells her about the problems faced by the black community during the 1970s, which led to artistes writing music to voice them. They listen to several old school favourites. We learn from Jaspar’s stories that hip-hop is a larger subculture than a mere musical genre. We also get a taste of the history of jazz and blues of the 1920s.