it’s a book, bitches

DANCEHALL
Before you buzz off on Christmas Holidays, you might want to read this. Dancehall is the new coffee-table tome to hit the shelves, thanks to author Beth Lesser and her in-depth study on the Jamaican dancehall scene in its heyday, circa 1980. Just as hip hop was born out of the boroughs of New York, dancehall was born out of a neighbourhood in Kingston in the 1950s and has since added fashion, music, art and lifestyle to the its repertoire.  Visually, the book is a feast, featuring hundreds of photographs that capture the spirit of the lively dancehall scene; educationally the 214 pages give the reader insight into the rise of Jamaican popular music.
Dancehall is out now through Thames & Hudson, published by Soul Jazz Records for $59.95.

OTHER COOL BOOKS TO TRY…

Writing The Memory of The City
A close look at Berlin graffiti, representing 15 artists that originated in graffiti writing.
$80, Dokument Forlag distributed by Tower Books
Tag Town
From the photographer that bought you the Hip Hop Files: Photographs 1979-1984 and Subway Art comes Tag Town, the book riddled with photos dating back to the 60s of New York style graffiti.
$49.95, Dokument Forlag distributed by Tower Books