"When Kendrick Lamar won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for his album 'DAMN,' critics announced that the award represented a belated acknowledgement of the cultural importance of hip-hop as a genre. The articles in this volume, ranging from music reviews to profiles, show the lives and careers of prominent hip-hop artists, including the controversies of Kanye West and the successes of Drake. The impact of these artists can be felt in the spheres of fashion, art, literature, and politics as well as in every sphere of music"--Provided by the publisher.

Includes index. Includes glossaries. At head of title: The New York Times.

Chapter 1: Jay-Z -- 10 years wiser, Jay-Z offers his reflections of a hustler / by Kelefa Sanneh -- The anxiety of being influential / by Jon Caramanica -- Jay-Z deconstructs himself / by Michiko Kakutani -- With Arena, rapper rewrites celebrity investors' playbook / by David M. Halbfinger -- The house that Hova built / by Zadie Smith -- Jay-Z is rhyming Picasso and Rothko / by Guy Trebay -- Jay Z and Beyoncé: activism gone vocal / by Jon Caramanica -- Jay-Z revels in the catharsis of confession on '4:44' / by Jon Caramanica -- Jay-Z and the politics of rapping in Middle Age / by Wesley Morris - Chapter 2: Nicki Minaj -- Nicki Minaj's 'The Pinkprint' / by Jon Caramanica -- Nicki Minaj: Black women 'rarely rewarded' for pop culture contributions / by Katie Rogers -- Nicki Minaj and Meek Mill, Twitter's ethics police / by Jon Caramanica -- Nicki Minaj raps life lessons at Barclays Center / by Jon Caramanica -- The passion of Nicki Minaj / by Vanessa Grigoriadis -- Nicki Minaj concert in Angola draws human rights complaint / by Katie Rogers -- Nicki Minaj, always in control / by Roxane Gay - Chapter 3: Kendrick Lamar -- Kendrick Lamar, emboldened, but burdened, by success / by Jon Caramanica -- Kendrick Lamar, hip-hip's newest old-school star / by Lizzy Goodman -- Notes on the hip-hop messiah / by Jay Caspian Kang -- Kendrick Lamar, rapper who inspired a teacher, visits a high school that embraces his work / by Colleen Wright -- The Blacker the berry / by Marlon James -- Kendrick Lamar's anxiety leads to joy and jabs on new album / by Jon Caramanica -- Kendrick Lamar, rap's skeptical superstar, avoids arena spectacle / by Jon Caramanica -- Kendrick Lamar gives 'Black Panther' a weighty soundtrack / by Jon Pareles -- Kendrick Lamar shakes up the Pulitzer game: let's discuss / by Jon Pareles and Zachary Woolfe - Chapter 4: Drake -- The new face of hip-hop / by Jon Caramanica -- Drake: rapper, actor, meme / by Jon Caramanica -- On 'Views,' Drake is still his own genre / by Jon Caramanica -- On Drake's 'More Life,' the creator meets the curator / by Jon Caramanica -- Drake's 'Scorpion' is a streaming giant / by Ben Sisario - Chapter 5: Cardi B -- An afternoon with Cardi B as she makes money moves / by Joanna Nikas -- How Cardi B's 'Bodak Yellow' took over the summer / by Jon Caramanica -- Cardi B wins New York Fashion Week / by Valeriya Safronova -- Cardi B is a new rap celebrity loyal to rap's old rules on 'Invasion of Privacy' / by Jon Caramanica -- Cardi B becomes the fifth female rapper with a no. 1 album / by Ben Sisario -- In the name of Cardi, let us pray / by Caity Weaver - Chapter 6: Kanye West -- Kanye West, flaunting pain instead of flash / by Jon Caramanica -- Behind Kanye's mask / by Jon Caramanica -- Kanye West's year of breaking bad / by Jon Caramanica -- The heartbreak of Kanye West / by Dream Hampton -- Kanye West writes a song of himself on 'Ye' / by Jon Pareles.