DJ COMMUNITY

Grandmaster Flash Pens New Memoir ‘Birth of a Culture' for Next Year

Story by Daniel Kreps

Nov 20 • 2 min read • Updated 1d ago

Grandmaster Flash will revisit his journey through hip-hop - from Bronx block parties to the world stage - in his upcoming memoir Birth of a Culture.

The book, due out in the fall of 2026 via HarperCollins imprint Amistad, will chart one of the founding fathers of hip-hop's rise, as well as look back at the birth of the genre.

"This story has been on my mind for a very long time. It depicts the early history and many subject matters that pertain to the culture called hip-hop," Grandmaster Flash said in a statement. "I talk about my come-up, I express my thoughts and opinions with others. I reminisced about what it was and what it has become. It entails joy, pain, real life, fun, drama, math, and science."

Grandmaster Flash collaborated with journalist Robert "Scoop" Jackson on the memoir, with the DJ himself delivering the audiobook for Birth of a Culture.