Books in the MCL: Johan Kugelberg (ed.). Born in the Bronx: A Visual Record of the Early Days of Hip Hop.

Born in the Bronx: A Visual Record of the Early Days of Hip Hop. Johan Kugelberg (Hrsg). Expanded edition 2023

Reprinted from the original review.

“Born in the Bronx: A Visual Record of the Early Days of Hip Hop”  is an in-depth exploration of hip-hop’s roots in the Bronx during the 1970s and early 1980s. Edited by Johan Kugelberg, this hardcover serves as a historical archive and a tribute to the pioneers who transformed a local movement into a global cultural phenomenon.

The book’s heart lies in the photography of Joe Conzo, known as “the man who took hip-hop’s baby pictures.” His candid images vividly capture the scene’s raw energy—block parties, breakers (break dancers), and iconic figures like Grandmaster Flash, the Cold Crush Brothers, and Afrika Bambaataa. Conzo’s photos spotlight the performers and document the surrounding community and atmosphere, reflecting the creativity and resilience that defined hip-hop’s grassroots beginnings. His work reveals a culture inventing itself amidst the social and economic challenges of the Bronx.

MARTHA COOPER LIBRARY: BOOK RECOMMENDATION⁠

| Title: Born in the Bronx: A Visual Record of the Early Days of Hip Hop
| 1xRUN. August 2023. Hardcover.
| Author: Johan Kugelberg
| Language: English

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Text: Steven P. Harrington and Jaime Rojo Fotos: Sebastian Kläbsch

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