NOT RAPPERS, BUT POETS . . .

In his review at n+1, "It Was Written: Books by Rappers," James Guida considers books by Jay-Z, Prodigy of Mobb Deep, Common, and a pile of others--

It may seem predictable that rappers would sooner or later capitalize on our memoir-happy times—can’t knock the hustle now—but the amount of ink being spilled suggests that more is at play.

In the rest of the review, Guida considers what this "more" might be. (Hint: rap can be like poetry. But then why no mention in Guida's review of Eminem, who can rhyme words with orange--something even Shakespeare couldn't do?)

Link from Arts & Letters Daily.