Hip-Hop Architecture
Bloomsbury Visual Arts
Hip Hop, the way it was incepted, could not have more epitomized the concept of a movement, pertaining to all areas of life – be it politically, socially or culturally. Needless to say, what it has evolved to sometimes only is at times only remotely connected to its true DNA.
As the title of the book suggests, author Sekou Cooke skilfully traces the history of hip hop through the ages from an academic viewpoint, exploring aesthetics, visuals, its values and the resulting architectural practice.
What makes it interesting is when the principles that are identified to be at the core of hip hop, are applied to the approach to reshaping the planet to revamp the thinking about cities, construction, form and cultural movements to reshape the planet and how the merits of its application could benefit the could impact on the built environment in a meaningful manner.
With Cooke channelling his points through a well-researched, engaging and fresh lens, he strips the paternalizing aspects off, which often pervade the treatises emanating from the ivory towers of academia.
Cooke thereby creates a book that appeals to everyone – from hip hop aficionados via architects to those interested in learning more about how their neighbourhoods have been shaped by hip hop at large – an accomplishment that should not be further wondrous as he teaches explanatory design as part of his lectures.
