Thoroughly researched, thoroughly in tune with the culture, "Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide" profiles two dozen specific hip hop scenes across the United States, showing how each place shaped a singular identity. Through its unique geographic perspective, it captures the astonishing diversity of a genre that has captivated the nation and the world.

In two volumes organized by broad regions (East Coast, West Coast and Midwest and the Dirty South), "Hip Hop in America" spans the complete history of rap-from its 1970s origins to the gang-like rap battles between Queens and the Bronx in the 1980s, from the well-publicized East Coast v. West Coast conflicts in the 1990s to the rise of the Midwest and South over the past ten years. Each essay showcases the history of the local scene, including the MCs, DJs, b-boys and b-girls, label owners, hip hop clubs, and radio shows that have created distinct styles of hip hop culture.