"The Rap Year Book takes readers on a journey that begins in 1979, widely regarded as the moment rap became recognized as part of the cultural and musical landscape, and comes right up to the present. Shea Serrano deftly pays homage to the most important song of each year. Serrano also examines the most important moments that surround the history and culture of rap music--from artists' backgrounds to issues of race, the rise of hip-hop, and the struggles among its major players--both personal and professional. Covering East Coast and West Coast, famous rapper feuds, chart toppers, and show stoppers, The Rap Year Book is an in-depth look at the most influential genre of music to come out of the last generation. Complete with infographics, lyric maps, hilarious and informative footnotes, portraits of the artists, and short essays by other prominent music writers, The Rap Year Book is both a narrative and illustrated guide to the most iconic and influential rap songs ever created." -- Publisher's description

• Style maps, explained
• 1979 : Rapper's delight (the Sugarhill Gang))
• 1980 : The breaks (Kurtis Blow))
• 1981 : Jazzy sensation (Afrika Bambaataa and the Jazzy Five))
• 1982 : The message (Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five))
• 1983 : Sucker M.C.'s (Run-DMC)
• 1984 : Friends (Whodini)
• 1985 : La Di Da Di (Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick)
• 1986 : 6 in the mornin' (Ice-T)
• 1987 : Paid in full (Eric B. and Rakim)
• 1988 : Straight outta Compton (N.W.A)
• 1989 : Fight the power (Public Enemy)
• 1990 : Bonita Applebum (A Tribe Called Quest)
• 1991 : Mind playing tricks on me (Geto Boys)
• 1992 : Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang (Dr. Dre, featuring Snoop Dogg)
• 1993 : C.R.E.A.M. (Wu-Tang Clan)
• 1994 : Juicy (the Notorious B.I.G.)
• 1995 : Dear Mama (Tupac)
• 1996 : California love (tupac, featuring Dr. Dre and Roger Troutman)
• 1997 : Can't nobody hold me down (Puff Daddy, featuring Mase)
• 1998 : Ruff Ryders' Anthem (DMX)
• 1999 : My name is (Eminem)
• 2000 : Big pimpin' (Jay Z, featuring UGK)
• 2001 : Takeover vs. Ether (Jay Z vs. Nas)
• 2002 : Grindin' (the Clipse)
• 2003 : In Da Club (50 Cent)
• 2004 : Still tippin' (Mike Jones, featuring Slim Thug and Paul Wall)
• 2005 : Gold digger (Kanye West, featuring Jamie Foxx)
• 2006 : Hustlin' (Rick Ross)
• 2007 : International players anthem (UGK, featuring Outkast)
• 2008 : A Milli (Lil Wayne)
• 2009 : Best I ever had (Drake)
• 2010 : Monster (Kanye West featuring Rick Ross, Jay Z, Bon Iver, and Nicki Minaj)
• 2011 : Niggas in Paris (Jay Z and Kanye West)
• 2012 : Same love (Macklemore and Ryan Lewis)
• 2013 : Control (Big Sean, featuring Kendrick Lamar and Jay Electronica)
• 2014 : Lifestyle (Rich Gang, featuring Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan)