Artist Memoirs to Add to Your Reading List

Some of the most exciting and insightful works in culture are rap memoirs. These autobiographies offer an in-depth look into the early lives and careers of some of hip-hop’s most influential figures. They tend to go far beyond luxury cars, lavish jewelry, and studio sessions. Lyricists like Rick RossJay-Z, Jeezy and even Gucci Mane have shared their personal stories of overcoming adversity on the road, run-ins with the law and feuds.

One of the most notable is 50 Cent’s From Pieces to Weight: Once Upon a Time in Southside Queens, which was published in August 2005, months before the premiere of his biopic Get Rich or Die Tryin’ in November 2005. The book made the New York Times bestseller list and was his first in a series of successful titles.

By sharing their experiences with us, some of our favorite rap stars not only add a human touch to their once misunderstood art form, but also inspire readers from all backgrounds. What’s more, these memoirs have become hip-hop artifacts that help preserve the genre’s legacy and enrich our collective understanding of its influence on culture.

Here are just a few rap memoirs to add to your reading list:

“‘EARL: The Autobiography of DMX“ by DMX – published November 2002

Abstract: “He’s sitting on a swivel chair in the main recording studio at Chaton Studios in Phoenix, and it’s part of a lesson about drugs and alcohol that he’s teaching to producer Swizz Beatz’s five-year-old little brother, who has been surrounded by a thick fog of weed smoke for the past few hours.“

“Decrypted“ by Jay Z – published November 2011

Abstract: “The worst thing about being poor in America is not the deprivation. Actually, As a child, I never associated Marcy with poverty. I just thought we lived in an apartment, my brother and I shared a room, and we were close to our neighbors – whether we wanted to be or not. Only in the sixth grade, at the PS 168, when my teacher took us on a trip to her House that I realized that we were poor.“

“The Autobiography of Gucci Mane“ – published September 2018

Abstract: “I remembered that no matter how low I fell, I always believed in myself. That me I always knew that if I could overcome these temporary moments, ultimately I would get up again. Prison couldn’t beat me. Lean couldn’t beat me. No situation could beat me. I was the only one who could beat me.”

“Hurricanes: A reminder“ by Rick Ross – published September 2019

Abstract: A few minutes later could get me out of bed. I still couldn’t breathe properly, but I went into the shower to wash myself and try to receive I myself together. When the paramedics and police arrived, I had Tomcat send them away. I’d been through this before. I’d be honest. But then I started coughing up blood in the shower. That had never happened before.”

“Selling adversity: You have to believe that“ by Jeezy – released in August 2023

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