The Author:
Felicia Pride, “writer, speaker, voice of her generation”, is the former Managing Editor for Mosaic Magazine, and self-professed “hip hop baby” from Baltimore. Pride has written for the Baltimore City Paper, Vibe, and Publisher’s Weekly. Her debut book The Message was published by Thunder Press in 2007, but since Pride is also the founder of thebacklist.net where they “keep books in style” this review is written to pay homage to the timelessness of its contents.
The Book:
Felicia Pride definitely wins the “I wish I thought of that” award for The Message. Some are calling it the Chicken Noodle Soup for the Soul of Hip Hop, and as corny and inappropriate as that sounds, it’s true. It may sound just as corny to say that this book goes beyond the confines of hip hop, but it’s also true. Each chapter focuses on a different rap song and she uses each song to give life lessons, but that just emphasizes the power of music, period. Pride opened up, and explored the hurtful side and funny side of having a crush as a youngster.
She used “Passing Me By” by The Pharcyde, to reminisce:
As a thirteen-year-old who wore purple stirrup pants, matching violet hi-top Reebok Freestyles, and had a bushy ponytail affixed to the side of my head, I had a find-out-if-he-likes-me-through-a-note-that-my-girl-passes crush. His name was Sam…It’s no coincidence that my favorite song during this traumatic adolescent experience was the infectious “Passing Me By,” an opus about the pang of rejection.
She wraps up that chapter by telling us that she did not get the guy, but years later when she saw her “grew up to not be so fine” crush, she was relieved. Aside from love (and “l-u-v” which she differentiates), she explores business, spirituality, being broke, laziness, and many more aspects of life-all by using hip hop songs.
The Verdict:
Pride gives of herself, while holding up a mirror with her words to make you see yourself too. She will have you looking back with each turn of the page, saying to yourself “I feel you Felicia…I remember doing/feeling/saying that when I heard (fill in the blanks) too”.
Find out more about the author at: http://feliciapride.com
Buy The Message: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1568583354/103-4644402-0020618
Comments
First. Dope review. Thanks for the info.
Love the review. Keep it coming.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!