The Book of Luke: My Fight for Truth, Justice, and Liberty City - Hardcover

Campbell, Luther

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0062336401 ISBN 13: 9780062336408

Publisher: Amistad Pr, 2015

Synopsis

The raw and powerful true story of how one man invented Southern Hip-Hop, saved the First Amendment, and became a role model for his disenfranchised Miami neighborhood--living proof that one person can make a difference in the world.

A rap artist, wealthy musical entrepreneur, high school coach, and involved, active citizen--Luther Campbell's life is a reflection of modern America. His is a tale that touches on the most pressing issues of our time: sex, creativity versus the corporate bottom line, conservative values and artistic freedom, personal rights, the gangster mentality of music companies, the rise of entrepreneurship, and the power--and responsibilities--of individuals to care for their neighborhoods, their country, and the people around them.

Born in Miami's notorious Liberty City neighborhood, Campbell saw firsthand poverty, despair, and crime. He also discovered the gift of transformation we all possess--knowledge that has made him a passionate fighter willing to take on the most powerful forces in the name of justice and what's right. His rap group 2 Live Crew and successful independent label made him a superstar and a multi-millionaire--and the center of enormous controversy.

The "King of Dirty Rap" who helped pioneer the worldwide phenomenon known as the Miami Bass sound infuriated the conservative mainstream and became Public Enemy #1 when hip hop crossed the color line into white America. Campbell spent over a million dollars of his own money fighting cops and prosecutors all the way to the Supreme Court to protect his--and every other artist's--right to free speech, setting landmark legal precedents that continue to shape the entertainment industry today.

Twenty years later, Campbell uses his fame and fortune to give back to the community, saving young men from the street corners and fighting for his people. Passionate, transformative, and inspiring, The Book of Luke is his story--a living testament to hope and change.

About this title

Review:

"Profane yet practical, 'Uncle Luke' writes persuasively of making America more tolerant via one funky beat and a Constitutional challenge."--Publishers Weekly

"Luther Campbell's autobiography, The Book of Luke is such a remarkable book that it's tempting to just list the reasons why."--CounterPunch Magazine

"From turf wars with DJs to rap slowly making its way to the Deep South, The Book of Luke provides an awesome story of hip-hop's lineage and Luke's part in that narrative."--Pitchfork

"In The Book of Luke, Luther Campbell proves himself fearless in his fight to level the playing field. Here is a courageous, compelling testament that the truth is liberating, and Campbell is a stand-out."--Dr. John Carlos, 1968 Olympic Medalist

"A passionate call to action--for everyone among us--to embrace community for constitutional democratic civil-human rights and never give up the fight for justice. This is an incredibly engaging read, and impressively profound in its message to fight the oppressive power."--Bobby Seale, founding Chairman and National Organizer of the Black Panther Party

From the Back Cover:

Born in Miami's notorious Liberty City, Luther Campbell witnessed poverty, despair, and crime firsthand. His uncle Ricky did not want him trapped by the "invisible chains" of systemic racism, so Ricky schooled him on the necessity of a black man running his own life, controlling his livelihood, and owning property.

Embracing these lessons, Campbell discovered his gift for entrepreneurship: He created one of the first hip-hop record companies, Luke Records, which started out of a shed in his mom's backyard and grew into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. As a rapper on his own label, Luke became known as the "King of Dirty Rap" and helped pioneer the worldwide phenomenon of Miami Bass. He went on to become the front man and manager for the rap group 2 Live Crew, and was key to the success of the group's controversial platinum recording As Nasty As They Wanna Be.

His hugely popular and provocative music infuriated the Man, and Luke was marked as public enemy number one when hip-hop crossed the color line into white America. Campbell would spend more than a million dollars of his own money fighting cops and prosecutors, and he went all the way to the Supreme Court to protect his--and every other artist's--right to free speech, setting landmark legal precedents that continue to shape the entertainment industry to this day.

In Campbell's clear and honest voice, he shares unforgettable stories of his rise to celebrity status, including illicit tales from his raunchy concerts. He also breaks down how he lost his fortune, but in the process gained a better perspective on life. His father taught him to be responsible for his actions and to be proud of himself. Campbell expressed this by being cocky and holding his head up high, but, as he acknowledges, "America has never been an easy place for a black man who doesn't know how to apologize."

Touching on some of the most pressing issues of our time, The Book of Luke is a raw and powerful memoir of how one man invented southern hip-hop, saved the First Amendment, and became a role model for the disenfranchised people of the city he calls home.

About this edition

• Publisher: Amistad Pr
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0062336401
• ISBN 13: 9780062336408
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 310