This book is about many things, yet only one main thing: HipHop culture and rap music. I grew up on this powerful cultural force at a time when the world was not expecting anything to happen from this music and culture.
The 50th Anniversary of HipHop in 2023 is a time stamp of the many wins of HipHop. One of those big wins is how business connects to HipHop. Innovation and entrepreneurship are just two examples of this urban roots creativity. HipHop hustled with faith and had the faith of a mustard seed.
In order to capture the “hustle” of HipHop and business history, I wanted to present a concise and straightforward representation to all ages, utilizing the alphabet A to Z to educate, inspire, and challenge perceptions about the culture I love with a passion. One of my favorite songs in high school was Five Minutes of Funk by Whodini (1984). Most people will read this book in five minutes more or less –and I hope this book creates a broader conversation and different scope about HipHop’s past, present and future.
C Keith
Harrison
Dr. C. Keith Harrison is a Professor at UCF (Orlando) in the College of Business. Harrison is a Nasir Jones HipHop Fellow Alumnus (2020-21) at the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University. Harrison is a former NCAA and California Community College scholar athlete in football as a center making the honor roll. His passions include faith, education, HipHop, and sport.
"Dr. Harrison has succinctly and passionately told the story of Hip Hop, its cultural significance and the tremendous impact it has had not only in American, but around the world. Can’t knock the Hip Hop Hustle is a fusion of history and celebration of the cultural movement that captured the hearts of generations."
Troy Vincent, Sr., Executive Vice President of Football Operations at the National Football League
"Dr. Harrison is a leading authority when it comes to contextualizing Hip Hop’s unique and dominant cultural positioning domestically, globally, and across generations. His unmatched understanding in connecting culture with the important intersections that define community make this a must-read."
Jemele Hill, Entrepreneur, Author and Michigan State graduate
"Dr. Harrison is Hip Hop born from the culture, with a smooth Nas-like flow and double entendre like Jay Z; Can’t knock the Hip Hop Hustle will be a must-read! You are entertaining the world of Street and Knowledge!"
Reggie Saunders, VP Entertainment Marketing at Jordan Brand, Adjunct Professor UCF Sport Business Management Minor (2015-2024)