Why Bushwick Bill Matters by Charles L. Hughes (English) Paperback Book

The Nile on eBay   FREE SHIPPING UK WIDE   Why Bushwick Bill Matters by Charles L. Hughes

An astute chronicle of the life and cultural significance of Bushwick Bill, who remixed spectacle as he exposed and exploited ableist and racist assumptions to become a singular voice in rap and the relentless battle over free speech in the United States.

FORMATPaperback LANGUAGEEnglish CONDITIONBrand New Publisher Description

In 1989 the Geto Boys released a blistering track, "Size Ain't Shit," that paid tribute to the group's member Bushwick Bill. Born with dwarfism, Bill was one of the few visibly disabled musicians to achieve widespread fame and one of the even fewer to address disability in a direct, sustained manner. Initially hired as a dancer, Bill became central to the Geto Boys as the Houston crew became one of hip-hop's most important groups.Why Bushwick Bill Matters chronicles this crucial artist and explores what he reveals about the relationships among race, sex, and disability in pop music. Charles L. Hughes examines Bill's recordings and videos (both with the Geto Boys and solo), from the horror-comic persona of "Chuckie" to vulnerable verses in songs such as "Mind Playing Tricks On Me," to discuss his portrayals of dwarfism, addiction, and mental illness. Hughes also explores Bill's importance to his era and to the longer history of disability in music. A complex figure, Bill exposed the truths of a racist and ableist society even as his violent and provocative lyrics put him in the middle of debates over censorship and misogyny. Confrontational and controversial, Bushwick Bill left a massive legacy as he rhymed and swaggered through an often-inaccessible world.

Author Biography

Charles L. Hughes is the director of the Lynne and Henry Turley Memphis Center at Rhodes College. He is the author of Country Soul: Making Music and Making Race in the American South, which Rolling Stone named one of the "Best Music Books of 2015," as well as numerous articles that have appeared in a variety of publications.

Table of Contents

A Note on TerminologyIntroductionHow Little Billy Became Bushwick BillBum-Rush the Freak Show"Size Ain't Shit"Can't Be Stopped"He Ain't What You Expect"Child's Play"Brand New Preacher, Rap Game Teacher"Greatest ShowmenAcknowledgmentsNotesBibliography

Review

The Bushwick Bill story is complex, more complex than a batch of controversial lyrics and a record cover would suggest...Why Bushwick Bill Matters does that complexity justice, and gives a Houston hip-hop legend his due. * Houstonia *[Hughes is] expert at interweaving music criticism, cultural history, disability studies, and a touch of personal reflection [in Why Bushwick Bill Matters]. Hughes is well-studied and acutely informed on race and music. * Rain Taxi *Why Bushwick Bill Matters is invaluable for its examination of how race, gender, and disability shaped Bushwick Bill's contributions to hip-hop culture and to the music industry...Hughes proves that Scarface was not the only member of the Geto Boys to have a lasting impact on hip-hop music. Bushwick Bill deserves that distinction, too. * Journal of Popular Music Studies *This small, well-considered, deeply felt, and often very funny volume is invaluable in the continued discourse of difficult people making difficult work, which seems necessary for the continued, spiky, and difficult possibility of disabled selfhood and expression. * Canadian Journal of Disability Studies *

Long Description

In 1989 the Geto Boys released a blistering track, "Size Ain't Shit," that paid tribute to the group's member Bushwick Bill. Born with dwarfism, Bill was one of the few visibly disabled musicians to achieve widespread fame and one of the even fewer to address disability in a direct, sustained manner. Initially hired as a dancer, Bill became central to the Geto Boys as the Houston crew became one of hip-hop's most important groups. Why Bushwick Bill Matters chronicles this crucial artist and explores what he reveals about the relationships among race, sex, and disability in pop music. Charles L. Hughes examines Bill's recordings and videos (both with the Geto Boys and solo), from the horror-comic persona of "Chuckie" to vulnerable verses in songs such as "Mind Playing Tricks On Me," to discuss his portrayals of dwarfism, addiction, and mental illness. Hughes also explores Bill's importance to his era and to the longer history of disability in music. A complex figure, Bill exposed the truths of a racist and ableist society even as his violent and provocative lyrics put him in the middle of debates over censorship and misogyny. Confrontational and controversial, Bushwick Bill left a massive legacy as he rhymed and swaggered through an often-inaccessible world.

Review Quote

Why Bushwick Bill Matters is invaluable for its examination of how race, gender, and disability shaped Bushwick Bill's contributions to hip-hop culture and to the music industry...Hughes proves that Scarface was not the only member of the Geto Boys to have a lasting impact on hip-hop music. Bushwick Bill deserves that distinction, too.

Details ISBN1477322310 Author Charles L. Hughes Language English Year 2021 ISBN-10 1477322310 ISBN-13 9781477322314 Format Paperback Series Music Matters Pages 208 Imprint University of Texas Press Place of Publication Austin, TX Country of Publication United States AU Release Date 2021-06-15 NZ Release Date 2021-06-15 US Release Date 2021-06-15 Publication Date 2021-06-15 UK Release Date 2021-06-15 Publisher University of Texas Press DEWEY 782.421649092 Audience General We've got this

At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it.With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love!

30 DAY RETURN POLICY

No questions asked, 30 day returns!

FREE DELIVERY

No matter where you are in the UK, delivery is free.

SECURE PAYMENT

Peace of mind by paying through PayPal and eBay Buyer Protection TheNile_Item_ID:161866610;