Make Rappers Rap Again
Interrogating the Mumble Rap "Crisis"
Published on 13. August 2025
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-0-19-777381-9 (ISBN)
Description
In Make Rappers Rap Again: Interrogating the Mumble Rap "Crisis," author Heidi R. Lewis interrogates the ways Mumble Rap has been subjugated within real Hip Hop. Many critics claim mumble rappers are ignorant about Hip Hop history, disrespectful toward their Hip Hop elders, too similar, unskilled, prone to rapping about nonsense, and too feminine. In contrast, Lewis argues Mumble Rap is real Hip Hop. To do so, she examines Mumble Rap's congruence with oft forgotten or subjugated Hip Hop cornerstones like illegibility, melody, the DJ, and the subgenre, as well as the ways most mumble rappers practice citational and collaborative politics congruent with real Hip Hop. Following an analysis of the Mumble Rap sound, Lewis explains the subgenre's subjugation by situating it as southern and examining the ways it challenges real Hip Hop masculinity norms.
Reviews / Votes
There is no denying Lewis's authentic connection to the culture as she thoroughly charts the evolution of rap lyricism in the era of algorithm.-Idris Goodwin, Playwright, Poet, Old Head Lewis's groundbreaking book is a bold and provocative framework for understanding the ebbs and flows of Hip-Hop and will surely ignite sparks of change across Hip-Hop Studies.
-Gwendolyn D. Pough, Professor of Women's and Gender Studies, Syracuse University Make Rappers Rap Again is a brilliant, beautifully researched and written, and intriguing study of Mumble Rap.
-Imani Perry, Professor of Studies of Women, Gender, & Sexuality and of African and African American Studies, Harvard University There is no denying Lewis's authentic connection to the culture as she thoroughly charts the evolution of rap lyricism in the era of algorithm.
-Idris Goodwin Lewis's groundbreaking book is a bold and provocative framework for understanding the ebbs and flows of Hip-Hop and will surely ignite sparks of change across Hip-Hop Studies.
-Gwendolyn D. Pough Make Rappers Rap Again is a brilliant, beautifully researched and written, and intriguing study of Mumble Rap.
-Imani Perry Overall, Lewis provides a compelling argument for mumble rap's rightful place within hip hop, successfully countering several popular arguments aimed at diminishing-or subjugating-both the music and the artists involved. * Lachlan Howells, Context *
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Illustrations
29 b&w halftones
Dimensions
Height: 14 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 235 mm
Weight
426 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-777381-9 (9780197773819)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
10/2025
Oxford University Press Inc
€30.50
Shipment within 15-20 days
E-Book
07/2025
OUP eBook
€21.99
Available for download
E-Book
07/2025
OUP eBook
€21.99
Available for download
Person
Heidi R. Lewis is Professor of Feminist & Gender Studies at Colorado College. Lewis' first book, In Audre's Footsteps: Transnational Kitchen Table Talk examines how women of color resist subjugation and do solidarity. She has also published in Womanism Rising, Rethinking Women's and Gender Studies II, The Cultural Impact of Kanye West, the Journal of Popular Culture, the Journal of Black Sexuality and Relationships, and Indivisible: Alliances against Racism and contributed to NewBlackMan, NPR, and Bitch.
Content
Notes to Self and to You, the Reader: An Introduction Chapter 1: "You muthafuckas don't know that you're a part of this shit!": The Old Heads Chapter 2: "Not every song is that fuckin' simple!": The Mumble Rap Sound Chapter 3: "Outsiders are welcome-but not, of course, necessary!": The South Chapter 4: "I feel like it's no such thing as gender!": The Contours of Masculinity Chapter 5: "You just gotta embrace the youth in all aspects!": The DJ Drama Interview A Note to Old Heads: A Conclusion