Rating: 
Summary: Keepin' it real
Review: I found this book a hell of a lot more insightful and in depth than n-e other hip hop book I've ever come across. I found it hopped back & forth a bit, but it was interesting & truthful and a must-have 4 all peeps wanting 2 expand their knowledge about the inside of hip hop.
Rating: 
Summary: Ronin Ro rocks the house!
Review: I have been a fan of Ro's since his days at The Source, when he was the first writer in America to speak with Dre about Death Row, right before Dre formed it. Then he tackled the Death Row issue in his book Gangsta. But nothing he's written compares to this book. It's good to see Ro complete the Death Row story: he goes where no other music writer has gone before, and offers us facts about Death Row no one else in the media could get. Those who speak out against this book must be gangsta rap fans, or upset with Ro's accurate depiction of the life of Tupac Shakur. For anyone interested in the real story, and in reading for the first time anywhere, the secret history of Death Row (when it was called Future Shock Records), this is the book to read. Ro's book Have Gun Will Travel is one you'll never forget. I can't wait to see the movie!
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Good Read!!!
Review: I think if you know Rap history then this book will lift the lid on what you thought you knew. The author does repeat sections and the chronigraphical order of events is confusing, other than that its worth getting. Cant wait for the Film!.
Rating:
Summary: Behind Death Row
Review: I thought this book was great, it gave the 411 on the origins of the Infamous Rap Label and the inside conflict within the label as well. It covers every character in the Label, CEO Suge Knight, Co-ceo Dr.Dre, artist Snoop Dogg, Tupac, Kurupt, Daz, Nate, etc...It also lets the reader see how Suge wanted to turn the multimillion dollar music company into a sort of Rap Mafia, which was the downfall of Deathrow. I recommend this book to anybody who wants to know more about Deathrow, other than just what the media accounts for.
Rating: 
Summary: It could've been great
Review: I was so hyped to read this book. The subject matter is fascinating, scandalous, timely and emotional. The writing, however, is abysmal. Apparently the publisher's fact-checkers were snoring on the job [the Ballage Hotel (Bel Age)in Los Angeles! ]. The text is very choppy, repetitive, disorganized, and awkward. I was shocked to learn that Ronin Ro is a journalist for national magazines. He's got a lot to learn about the art of writing. His editor is especially to blame.
Rating:
Summary: This book is waiting for corroboration.
Review: Ro writes an entertaining and at its core credible account of the behind the scenes Death Row Records. Giving enough context and reference to make it click with an audience who are most likely fans of the genre. This was a story that had to be told. However, Ro's account of events and assertions beg to be countered or corroborated by other accounts. No offense to Ro--he had his hands full with this one--but this book is really a primer, it will only make you hungry for more information. If you can look over his at times awkward sentences, "Jive-talkin'" quotations and occasional grammatical errors, Ronin Ro has written a good book about great material.
Rating:
Summary: Good look into Death Row/Not enough 1st hand evidence
Review: Ronin Ro does an adequate job of detailing Death Row Records, though the book lacks new information. I rate this book so highly primarily because of the quality of information about the history of Death Row, its artists, and its business. As a reader that is interested in the makings of "gangsta rap" and the motives behind this artform, I couldn't put the book down. Ro does a good job of presenting a wealth of information in the book, though was weak in organizing the book. A Must Read for any Death Row fan or anyone that is curious about the label and its artists.
Rating:
Summary: Have Gun Will Travel was the first of its kind
Review: Ronin Ro has always delivered heartfelt writing, when he's chosen to write, that is; and Have Gun Will Travel was nothing less than his best. His kaleidoscopic history succeeds not only in being the definitive work on Death Row-- beating out coverage from every major newspaper in America--but also in bringing us details about Biggie Smalls, Tupac, Dr. Dre and other celebrities that have never appeared in print and would have remained a mystery. As for the so-called repetitions, they helped me keep track of what starts small and becomes a true Shakespearian epic. If anyone is at fault, it would be his editors, I presume. Before Ro, rap books were nothing but photos and cheesy grafitti covers. Ro elevated rap writing to an artform and led to it being published in hardcover. Have Gun Will Travel, his final word it seems on the gangsta rap he worked for years to destroy, shows why he is not only one of America's most talented writers, but also one of its most compassionate. Let's hope this already-legendary enigma gets another book out soon!
Rating:
Summary: Good effort but info not correct at times and unstructured
Review: Ronin Ro picked an interesting subject to write about. There has been so much weird sh*t going down at the Deathrow Camp for the past few years. The book is for the most part chronological and details how Deathrow started by "stealing" artists and producers from other labels like Ruthless Records. For the most part the stories told in the book are amusing and interesting and the book is fun to read if you are into hiphop and want to know more about the East/West war and the Tupac/Biggie feud.However, there are many simple details that are incorrect and this makes me wonder how many of the spectacular events portrayed in the book are true. For instance, Ronin writes that Mobb Deep did a song called LA LA, which is incorrect. There are other annoying details in the book and it seems that Ronin usually got his info from one source only without double checking the facts with a second source. The structure of the book is also disappointing, several facts and stories are repeated and sometimes don't even match. The book is OK but could have been good if Ronin would have cleaned up his facts, structured the writing and cut about 100 pages. If you read magz like Vibe, the Source are into Hip-Hop you will not find anything new in this book. Strictly for non hip hoppers and light weights who listen to Will Smith and Salt'n'Pepa type stuff . . . Now when will we get the REAL behind the scene details, told by someone who was on the inside???
Rating: 
Summary: Ganster's trying to be respectable
Review: Ronin Ro spins out an interesting tale of beat-downs, scare tactics, murder and other crimes and misdemeanors. This book details the rise and fall of Death Row, but in particular Marion "Suge" Knight. It details his brilliant move to get into the rap business by becoming an intermediary into the dispute between Andre "Dr. Dre" Young and Eric "Easy E" Wright. Once he gains the trust of Dr. Dre, he convinces him to form a company with him named "Death Row". The rest, shall we say, is history. Death Row went on to gross millions and millions of dollars with artists such as Snoop Doggy Dog, Da Dogg Pound, Tha Lady of Rage, and others. All the while, you had Suge ruling over this vast empire with an iron and thuggish hand. Many, many tales of people not being paid for work on albums that grossed millions; senseless beatings and public humiliations are detailed throughout the book. It also details the violent fall of Suge, which included the senseless death of Tupac Shakur (perhaps the most intellectually sound rapper of all-time). Many of the "lucky" ones were able to escape unharmed but not necessarily unscathed. Dr. Dre is still riding high on the success of The Chronic 2001 and his successful label Aftermath records. However, Suge continues to spread vicious rumors about Dre being gay. Snoop Dogg engineered a slick defection to No Limit Records in New Orleans. Suge, who is still serving time for violating probation, insists that Snoop is a complete "sellout" and can never show his face again in the ghetto. For fans of the golden era of gangsta rap (1988-1994) this is an excellent read. Given the pending release of Suge, one can't help but wander what await those who crossed Suge during his incarceration. It could get ugly folks.
|
