New Book Reevaluates Crack Era & Hip Hop's Role In Its Decline
Donovan X. Ramsey's "When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era" humanizes and adds context to bygone era.
DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to purchase something we may earn a commission. Thanks, Queue Points!
The impact of crack on Black communities is a lasting one that cannot be denied. The drug, cheap and easy to get, gave a generation of folks a way to escape the challenges of everyday life. Crack’s residue can still be seen in neighborhoods, policing, the criminal justice system and the people, families and communities it impacted.
Author Donovan X. Ramsey, whose new book "When Crack Was King: A People's History of a Misunderstood Era" is out July 11, 2023, joins DJ Sir Daniel and Jay Ray for a conversation.
The brothers discuss topics such as:
Was crack planted in the Black community?
Crack’s impact on Black women.
The connection between The Great Migration and the rise of crack use.
Purchase 'When Crack Was King:' https://qpnt.net/wcwk-am
Follow Donovan X. Ramsey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/donovanxramsey
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donovanxramsey/
Follow Black Magazine Covers: https://www.instagram.com/blackmagcovers
How did Crack impact your family or neighborhood? Comment below.
Exclusive Sneak Peek: Donovan X. Ramsey Reads From ‘When Crack Was King’
As you can imagine, not everything can make it into an episode, and here’s one of those sections. Queue Points Mag subscribers get to see a bonus clip of our talk with Donovan X. Ramsey before it's on YouTube tomorrow.
In this clip Donovan reads from the 38th section of his book - the chapter titled “Intervention.” In this section he discusses hip hop’s impact on crack’s decline.
Queue Points Top 3 Crack Era Songs
3. Ten Crack Commandments - The Notorious B.I.G. (1997)
2. Night of the Living Baseheads - Public Enemy (1988)
1. Self Destruction - Stop the Violence Movement (1989)
Check out our YouTube Playlist Streets of Rhyme: Crack Era Anthems & Anti-Drug PSAs.
QP Trivia: Besides being songs about crack, what is one through-line between all the songs above? Comment below.
Tune In For Our Next Queue Points Live!
For as long as we can remember, Black musicians have been used to sell food products. How has this impacted our health as a community? What are some of the food advertisements featuring Black musicians you remember?
Let’s discuss it live on Thursday, 7/13/23 at 8PM ET on YouTube!
Upcoming Live Streams
7/20/23 - The Career of Snoop Dogg
7/27/23 - House Music Divas
8/3/23 - Black Music on Television
8/10/23 - UK Soul & Hip Hop (Guest: Jason Randall Smith)
8/17/23 - Trip Hop and Drum & Bass (Guest: Jason Randall Smith)