Understand Rap
Rap, hip hop, whatever you want to call it — sometimes song lyrics leave you feeling clueless about their meaning — but don't worry, Understand Rap: Explanations of Confusing Rap Lyrics You & Your Grandma Can Understand ($10) is here to save you from uncool ignorance. This book explores rap lyrics from songs divided into multiple categories (braggadocio, cars, crime, disses, fashion, intoxicants, people, places, and sex) giving you deep insight into sometimes-cryptic hip hop turns of phrase. Each lyric is quoted, along with the artist, song, and album, and then explained in a matter-of-fact, academic manner that will leave even the least knowledgeable feeling like a hip hop head.