Q & A with Alonzo Westbrook

Alonzo Westbrook's Hip Hoptionary is the bumpin' book for hip-hop disciples (a.k.a. "fiends"), songwriters, all other writers, pop culture fans, linguists, and parents who are just trying to figure out what their kids are saying. The author took some time to talk with us about his book, the language of hip-hop, metaphorplay, and more.

What first got you thinking about creating a dictionary of hip-hop terms?

I created the Hip Hoptionary because I honestly didn't know what the rappers were talking about, and I figured if I didn't know there were others who didn't know, particularly the predominant buying audience: suburban and non-American (Hip hop is a global phenomenon). I had no idea the book would be such a huge hit. What helped me stay the course of putting the book together, however, was something much more intriguing.

While doing the research, which took about nine months, I discovered a pattern--the evolution of Black language in America, how from slavery to the present time we've been flipping words and hiding behind language as a means of communicating our issues. And it had all been done in a rhythmic way. It became almost necessary for me to put what I found, this present-day Black language, in writing; so while this is my book, these are our words, and I'm merely the catalyst. I think the artists, writers, and word creators of hip-hop are profound and in many cases, brilliant.

How did the language of hip-hop evolve?

It is the language of a generation...the continued language of a people.

How did you go about researching your book?

I had to delve deep into the hip-hop culture and go back, way back, to early raps, like the Sugarhill Gang and "Rapper's Delight." I took words from movies like Beat Street and Breakin', from the magazines old and new. It was an intense undertaking--a lot of reading--but well worth it. It gave me a new respect for language as a whole, the Black culture, its people and their transitions (often forced), and a greater appreciation for hip-hop as art.

It's about more than bitches and hoes, ya'll. Some of these rappers are river-deep like Langston. But you gotta listen.

Who will find the Hip Hoptionary useful?

This book is a must have for hip-hop heads. They are going to love this book. So will teachers and educators who can use the Hip Hoptionary as a tool in education. Teachers in many inner city schools are hampered by a language barrier. Kids only speak hip-hop. This book can serve as a translation guide. The book has both the slang term and what it means in English, often a word used in a sentence.

Further, Hip Hoptionary can be used as a guide to teach language art or the culture of black language. Already, schools across the country from middle school to college level, including NYU, have hip hop courses of study. Their focus mainly is hip hop as art, but the Hip Hoptionary can be purposeful in any classroom parents can use the book to relate to and understand their children. Let's face it, you can't know em' if you don't know what they're talking about. The Hip Hoptionary is an excellent gift for a perfect bonding moment. Also, it's a great book for linguists, historians and anyone who has an interest in the hip hop culture.

As hip-hop becomes increasingly popular in mainstream culture, where do you see this trend going--and will it affect the language of the Hip Hoptionary?

Hip-hop is a culture driven by words. So whatever happens in the culture will have a direct effect on the book and its entries. This is the second edition. In the time it took from one book to the next, the word list has increased from 2500 to nearly 5000. More books will come as the language and interest warrants.

Where is hip-hop going? The sky is the limit. Right now, it's bigger than anyone could have ever imagined. When it began, people were simply making beats, rapping and break dancing, with a lil' graffiti added for color. But hip-hop now has influences even in high culture, like operatic hip-hop (aka hip-hopera) which proves hip-hop can't be boxed. Creation can't be boxed. That would defy what it is. As soon as someone says a certain hip-hop style has played, for example, the baggy jeans look, here someone like Sean John pops up on Madison Avenue, no less, taking hip-hop fashion to another level. It's really hard to know what to expect from the people of this culture. It is clear they are limited only by their imagination. With pencil in hand, I wait for what happens next.

What is your favorite Hip Hoptionary entry?

Metaphorplay. Talk about a play on words. In a language comprised of metaphors, no word captures the essence of what the hip-hop artists are doing better than this single term. It's sexy, it's suggestive, it's accurate. I love that term. It's even a fun word to say.

Hip Hoptionary
© 2002 Alonzo Westbrook
A Harlem Moon Trade Paperback Original
ISBN: 0-7679-0924-0
On Sale: October 15, 2002