Sweat the Technique

Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius

De: Rakim

Narrado por: Rakim

The musician and hip-hop legend - hailed as “the greatest MC of all time” and compared to Thelonious Monk - reimagines the writing handbook in this memoir and guide that incorporates the soulful genius, confidence, and creativity of a master artist.

When he exploded on the music scene, musical genius Rakim was hailed for his brilliant artistic style, adding layers, complexity, depth, musicality, and soul to rap. More than anyone, Rakim has changed the way MCs rhyme. Calm on the mic, his words combine in a frenzy of sound, using complicated patterns based on multisyllabic rhymes and internal rhythms. Rakim can tell a story about a down-on-his-luck man looking for a job and turn it into an epic tale and an unforgettable rhyme. He is not just a great songwriter - he’s a great modern writer.

Part memoir, part writing guide, Sweat the Technique offers insight into how Rakim thinks about words, music, writing, and rhyming as it teaches writers of all levels how to hone their craft. It is also a rare glimpse into Rakim’s private life, full of entertaining personal stories from his youth on Long Island growing up in a home and community filled with musicians to the clubs of New York and the studios of Los Angeles during his rise to the top of popular music. Rakim celebrates the influences that shaped his development, including the jazz music of John Coltrane and the spirituality of the streets, and shares anecdotes spotlighting personalities such as LL Cool J and Dr. Dre, among others.

Filled with valuable lessons for every writer, Sweat the Technique reveals the heart and mind of an artist and his love for great storytelling and, always, the words.

©2019 Rakim (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

It’s what you think but better

Deep, Spiritual, and Thought Provoking. I always like Rakim, but now I respect him even more!!!!

This book is perfect.

The god MC's story narrated by Rakim himself, definitely a must listen. A repeat listen is warranted as well.

Thought provoking hip hop masterpiece

This book was amazing! I truly enjoyed the narration by Rakim himself.i have a profound respect for him as Emcee and now as a novelist. This book provides a behind the scenes look at what it takes to be a rapper and how to conduct yourself as an hip hop entertainer.

For true hip-hop headz and fans of the culture

Fascinating book that purists of the culture will love. Rakim gets deep into the intricacies of writing rhymes, the culture, and Islam. He didn’t hold back on this one and water it down and make it mainstream—the reclusive emcee lets you take a journey into the mind of one of the pioneers of rhyme and greatest who ever did it. See what made him great.

Rakim the god

You won’t be disappointed on the point if views and his approach. It went so unknown for years because he’s so chill.

Legend. Lyrical genius.

Hoping to hear more from the hip hop master. Respect from Serbia. Stay true. Respect!

MASTER OF THE TECHNIQUE

Purely AWESOME!!! Wordplay genius, Master MC, creatively innovated, can never be duplicated, HIGHLY UNDERATED!!!

purchase this book

Amazing from start to end. the best part is that Rakim himself narrates the story. I could not stop listening

Great stories by the Master

Really loved the flow and story telling by Rakim, check it out and dive deeper.

All The Answers Are Inside

Great as a young adult looking back to do my history checks on hip hop. This is a must read/listen for anyone who claims to be a rap/hip hop fan. It's relatively short compared to many autobiographies, which could be a hit or miss but to me makes it perfect. Simple and educational.