Rap Dad

A Story of Family and the Subculture That Shaped a Generation

By: Juan Vidal

Narrated by: Juan Vidal

This timely reflection on male identity in America that explores the intersection of fatherhood, race, and hip-hop culture “is a page-turner…drenched in history and encompasses the energy, fire, and passion that is hip-hop” (D. Watkins, New York Times bestselling author).

Just as his music career was taking off, Juan Vidal received life-changing news: he’d soon be a father. Throughout his life, neglectful men were the norm—his own dad struggled with drug addiction and infidelity—a cycle that, inevitably, wrought Vidal with insecurity. At age twenty-six, with barely a grip on life, what lessons could he possibly offer a kid? Determined to alter the course for his child, Vidal did what he’d always done when confronted with life’s challenges—he turned to the counterculture.

In Rap Dad, the musician-turned-journalist takes a thoughtful and inventive approach to exploring identity and examining how today’s society views fatherhood. To root out the source of his fears around parenting, Vidal revisits the flash points of his juvenescence, a feat that transports him, a first-generation American born to Colombian parents, back to the drug-fueled streets of 1980s–90s Miami. It’s during those pivotal years that he’s drawn to skateboarding, graffiti, and the music of rebellion: hip-hop. As he looks to the past for answers, he infuses his personal story with rap lyrics and interviews with some of pop culture’s most compelling voices—plenty of whom have proven to be some of society’s best, albeit nontraditional, dads. Along the way, Vidal confronts the unfair stereotypes that taint urban men—especially Black and Latino men.

“A heartfelt examination of the damage that wayward fathers can leave in their wake” (The Washington Post), Rap Dad is “rich with symbolism…a poetic chronicle of beats, rhymes, and life” (NPR).

Really good read!!

As a father and a lover of hip hop, this book was right up my alley. I’m also a fan of the group Juan used to be a part of. He was always poetic, and it seems like he made the transition to from emcee to author seamlessly. I love this book and I ordered the physical book so I can read it. I love this book!

This story is a gift.

Juan is one of the most gifted writers and storytellers I have ever known no matter the medium. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to Rap Dad this time around after reading it shortly after it’s release. Most enjoyable listen of a book since taking in Daniel Nayeri’s “Everything Sad is Untrue”. Look forward to more from this author.

I could relate to almost everything in this book. I am a rap dad! Loved it

Great read, great story telling. I felt connected to a lot of the stories and feelings expressed in this book. Great work!!

fantastical!

I loved this book. The author's brother works with me and tipped me off to it. I was captivated. I come from the same generation, but grew up in the burbs of Kansas City listening to "oldies". this gave me a while new perspective on my generation.

Hell and back...to Heaven

Juan took us on a literary travel through the hoods of the world. You can say he is world renown. The history described so poetically had me. Feeling I was running. Right along side of him.