{"title":"Del Cowie","description":"\u003cp\u003eDel Cowie’s works offer a compelling blend of arts and culture, inviting readers to explore contemporary creative practices and their social impact. With a keen eye for detail and a vibrant narrative style, Cowie’s books illuminate the dynamic intersections of art, community, and innovation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is a Throwdown\u003c\/em\u003e exemplifies Cowie’s ability to capture the energy and spirit of cultural movements, making these books essential for anyone interested in understanding the evolving landscape of modern art and its role in society.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"this-is-a-throwdown-by-del-cowie-9781770415546","title":"This is a Throwdown","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom blockos to Billboard hits, the previously untold story of the Toronto Sound\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLong before Drake picked up the mic, Toronto had a thriving, vital hip-hop culture fighting for recognition. It was shaped by multiple generations of artists, including Maestro Fresh Wes, Michie Mee, Kardinal Offishall, Saukrates, Choclair, and k-os, and fostered shrewd promoters and pioneering producers such as Ron Nelson, Noah “40” Shebib, and Boi-1da.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis Is a Throwdown\u003c\/em\u003e authoritatively chronicles the music, history, and environment that shaped the Toronto hip-hop sound, from its 1980s sound system scene through to Drake’s stratospheric success with 2011’s \u003cem\u003eTake Care\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on Del Cowie’s two decades of experience as a music journalist, \u003cem\u003eThis Is a Throwdown\u003c\/em\u003e is the first book to critically assess and chronicle the largely untold story of hip-hop culture in Toronto, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ethe sound system clashes and block parties that were the foundation of Toronto’s early hip-hop culture\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ethe hidden pioneers who shaped the scene\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ethe diasporic fusion of Caribbean and African-American influences\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ehow Toronto artists broke barriers in an industry that overlooked Canadian hip-hop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOver 50 years after hip-hop began, now’s the time to move the 6ix from shadow to spotlight and celebrate the oft-neglected MCs, producers, and promoters who created this scene and this sound, starting from the bottom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68068943495404,"sku":"9781770415546","price":49.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781770415546-this-is-a-throwdown-1.jpg?v=1793821304"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/del-cowie.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}