Off the Books

An Excerpt from 'Bedroom Beats & B-Sides: Instrumental Hip-Hop & Electronic Music at the Turn of the Century'

Laurent Fintoni brings us an exclusive excerpt from his new book, exploring Sa-Ra and the Los Angeles hip-hop and beat scenes.

Oct 23, 2020 • Laurent Fintoni

Off the Books: Nate Patrin

In support of his great new book, 'Bring That Beat Back: How Sampling Built Hip-Hop,' the Twin Cities critic and author waxes poetics on five iconic…

Jul 23, 2020 • Nate Patrin

Off the Books: Leor Galil

Jack Riedy speaks with the veteran Chicago music journalist about his lifelong interest in alt-weeklies and his new book, compiled with his best feature…

Jul 16, 2020 • Jack Riedy

Off the Books: An Interview with Chris L. Terry

Douglas Martin and the Black Card author have a conversation about identity, Richmond, and the themes found in his great second novel.

Nov 4, 2019 • Douglas Martin

Off the Books: An Interview With Jessica Hopper

Cory Lomberg speaks to the author and critic about her new book, her personal remembrances of Chicago, and the reward of evaluating writing from your…

Sep 19, 2018 • Cory Lomberg

Off The Books: Super Freak: The Life of Rick James by Peter Benjaminson

Alex Dwyer's Off The Books series returns with a look at 'Super Freak,' a biography of Rick James.

Mar 29, 2017 • Alex Dwyer

Off The Books: Original Gangstas by Ben Westhoff

Alex Dwyer's "Off the Books" series returns with a look at Original Gangstas, the new book from Ben Westhoff.

Sep 13, 2016 • Alex Dwyer

Off The Books: "Thanking Evil (Black Macabre Vol. 1)" by Ural Garrett

Alex Dwyer reviews Ural Garrett's first novel, "Thanking Evil."

Aug 24, 2016 • Alex Dwyer

Off The Books: Diary of a Madman by Brad “Scarface” Jordan with Benjamin Meadows-Ingram

Off the Books returns with a look at Scarface's 2015 memoir, Diary of a Madman

Jun 23, 2016 • Alex Dwyer

Off The Books: Kanye West Owes Me $300: And Other True Stories from a White Rapper Who Almost Made It Big by Jensen Karp

Off the Books takes a look at Kanye West Owes Me $300, the new memoir from Jensen Karp.

Jun 8, 2016 • Alex Dwyer

Please Pass the Mic: A Sociological Look at Project Blowed

Alex Dwyer's Off The Books columns returns with a look at Jooyoung Lee's new, "Blowin' Up."

May 26, 2016 • Alex Dwyer

Off The Books: Check The Technique Vol. 2 – More Liner Notes For Hip-Hop Junkies by Brian Coleman

The sequel to Brian Coleman's legendary hip-hop text, "Check the Technique."

Aug 24, 2015 • Alex Dwyer

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