Close to the Edge

by Sujatha Fernandes

  I would like to acknowledge the indispensable work of my research assistant, Will Johnson. I am proud to use the photos of some terrific photographers—Oriana Eliabe, Jason Florio, Sara Maneiro, Javier Machado, Sam Lazzaro, and Yoel Diaz Vazquez. I am grateful for a one-year Mellon fellowship provided by the Center for the Humanities at the CUNY Graduate Center to write the book. I also received funding from the Professional Staff Congress-City University of New York Research Foundation to support my writing. Thank you to the team at Verso for making the book happen, especially Sebastian Budgen.

  My parents, Joe and Sylvie, as always deserve crucial thanks for all their help and support over the eleven years that I traveled and lived in cities across the globe. My sister, Deepa, and her partner, Matt Rogers, bore with me as I struggled with my writing, sharing their own insights and experiences of nonfiction writing. Thanks to my husband Mike Walsh and our children Aisha and Shaad for their loving support and even their inter-ruptions, which gave me an excuse to play rather than work. This book is dedicated to Mike. Our animated discussions about hip hop over the many years of our companionship are reflected on every page of this book. He read several drafts and gave me his honest and unfiltered opinions. Without his challenging me to think and question myself, and helping me come to terms with my own relationship to hip hop, I would not have had the courage to publish this book.

  All translations of Spanish lyrics are the author’s. When lyrics have been used, the publisher and author have been careful to observe the rules of fair use. In any instance where the lyrics quoted exceed more than a few words, every attempt has been made to contact the copyright holder and obtain permission. The publisher apologizes for any oversight and will emend all future additions accordingly on being informed of the mistake. The author and Verso would like to express their gratitude to the following artists and publishers:

  Untitled, by Ang 13, from the album Ang 13. Ang 13, 1999.

  “Underground and Independent,” by Capital D of All Natural, from the album No Additives, No Preservatives. All Natural, 1999.

  “Boca de Lobo [Mouth of the Wolf],” by DJ Trece and El Nigga, from the album Boca de Lobo. Subterraneo Records.

  Untitled, by Explosión Suprema. Unpublished.

  “Black Malandreo,” by Guerilla Seca, from the album La Realidad Mas Real. Subterraneo Records.

  “Llegó el hampa,” by Guerrilla Seca, from the album La Realidad Mas Real. Subterráneo Records.

  “Tengo [I Have],” by Hermanos de Causa, from the album Cuban Hip Hop All Stars, Vol. 1. Papaya Records, 2001.

  “Lágrimas Negras [Black Tears],” by Hermanos de Causa. Unpublished.

  “Squash All Beef” by KRS-ONE, from the album KRS-One. Jive Records (Zomba Label Group), 1995.

  “La llaman puta [They Call Her Whore],” by Magia Lopez, from the album La fabriK: Obesión Doble Filo. Self-published.

  “How We Chill Pt. 2,” by MC Juice and Rhymefest, from the album Ritual of the… Molemen Records, 2007.

  Untitled, by Notorious Sistaz and Dr. Nogood. Unpublished.

  “Run for the City,” by Obesión. Unpublished.

  “Everything That She Asked For,” by Orishas, from the album Orishas: a lo cubano. EMI, 2000.

  “El barco,” Los Paisanos. Unpublished.

  “Igual que tu [The Same as You],” from the album Primera base: igual que tu, by Primera Base. Caribe Production INC, 1996.

  “Que Sera [What Will Be],” by Randy and El Huevo. Unpublished.

  “Fuck the Brady Bunch,” by Sujatha Fernandes and Waiata. Unpublished.

  Untitled, by SWS (Munkimuk, Brothablack). Unpublished.

  Untitled, by Treese of Mass Hysteria. Unpublished.

  Untitled, by Two Indij. Unpublished.

  “Historia nuestra,” by Vagos y Maleantos, from the album Papidandeando. Subterráneo Records.

  “Open Up Your Mind,” by Ebony Williams. Unpublished.