Books, Hip Hop culture, and everything else in between...

We B*Girlz

by Martha Cooper and Nika Kramer with Rokafella

Omi's Note: This is a blog roll dedication to Sister P. She has shown me a tremendous amount of love on her blog. I figured I would review a book I cherish in her honor. Sister P is a writer, publisher, wife, and a homeschooler (beat that one). I know the book came out a few years back but I know she will like this one...

From an old post:
The Trifling Born day present giver....


A few weeks back, it was Novakane's born day. I decided to get her the book, "We B-girlz" by Nika Kramer and Martha Cooper. To be quite honest, i wrestled with the fact of giving it to her. It is so dope. It is mostly pictures and it has a little history of women in b-boy crews but the pics are just dope. I was like "well i can get her something else." Eventually i gave it to her reluctantly.

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Many of you know Martha Cooper as one of the earliest photographers to document hip hop culture extensively. Of course, several graf writers took pictures of their pieces years before Cooper did but many of those never survived police raids. As a matter of fact, several books on graf writing that focused on writers such as Dondi White, Fuzz One, and several others have pictures that were primarily taken by Cooper. It is safe to say that without her, much of the history would have been lost. Cooper is in her late sixties but continues to document the culture as if she was still an intern at National Geographic all those decades ago.

Nika Kramer has gathered B girls from all over the world in this small yet powerful book. Kramer even allows Rokafella to pen a few pages. The format of the book allows for an easy flow. There are thumbnail shots to nice two page spreads. Yet the book is small enough to hide in a purse or coat pocket. The only drawback is that Kramer allows a handful of b-boys to write. I think this takes away from the overall theme of the book. I am sure there are other b-girls who can write and express themselves.

The book makes a great gift for any sister who is interested or already b-girling. It makes a great gift for daddies who have daughters and for grandma's as well. It is a clear demonstration of how the ladies can also represent without showing a butt cheek or cleavage.

Labels: Aging B-boys of America, B Girlz, blog roll, hip hop culture, Martha Cooper, Nika Kramer, Rokafella

posted by Brother OMi @ 12:59 AM