Putting the "Rap" in Biography: A Conversation with Music Journalists Kathy Iandoli and Marcus J. Moore

​​Join music journalists Kathy Iandoli (Who's That Girl: A Memoir By Eve with Kathy Iandoli) and Marcus J. Moore (High and Rising: A Book About De La Soul) while they discuss their books, their experiences as music journalists and hip hop biographers, and why certain figures in the music industry persist through generations of listeners.

Who's That Girl: A Memoir by Eve and Kathy Iandoli | In 1999, Eve Jihan Cooper made history with her solo debut album, Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady, reaching number one on the Billboard 200, marking her as the third female rapper to ever obtain that position. She later made history again as the first recipient ever of the Grammy Award®for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for her platinum single “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” with Gwen Stefani. Following up with three chart-topping albums that made unrivaled waves in the world of hip-hop and music, as well as trailblazing moments in TV/film and fashion, Eve now looks back on her groundbreaking career.

West Philadelphia was not for the faint of heart—Eve knows that better than anyone. However, she navigated those Philly streets (and later the rest of the world) seamlessly, though it was not without strength and resilience. She incorporates that unbridled ambition into every bar that she writes and every stage/set that she stands on. With a gritty realness that speaks to her style, she shares her experiences going from the Mill Creek Projects to Hollywood. In this memoir, Eve delves into her entrance as "Eve of Destruction" into a male-dominated hip-hop industry, the deeper story behind Scorpion that was never told until now, and the internal battle with her music, her label, and herself after Lip Lock.

This fearless, empowering, and inspirational memoir from hip-hop sensation Eve explores her rise to stardom as a female MC, her lasting legacy on pop culture and music, and her incredible yet enduring struggle balancing her personal life with her professional one.

High and Rising (A Book About De La Soul) by Marcus J. Moore | De La Soul burst onto the scene with the release of their groundbreaking 1989 album 3 Feet High & Rising, an “anything goes” hip-hop masterpiece hailed as a new masterwork from a bygone era of Black experimentation.

Formed in Long Island in 1988 by Kelvin “Posdnuos” Mercer, Dave “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur, and Vincent “Maseo” Mason, De La Soul rebuked classification and appealed to the Black alternative. Their music was positive and psychedelic, their imagery full of flowers and peace signs. It was rap with a broad sonic palette which set the blueprint for an entire generation of artists who followed. But as quickly as De La ascended, they were faced with the pressures of a changing industry and bitter legal battles.

Completed in the wake of Dave’s passing and the group’s arrival on streaming platforms after years in digital purgatory, High and Rising tells the story of one of the most influential rap groups of all time. In the process, acclaimed music journalist Marcus J. Moore braids in a deeply personal coming-of-age story about his journey through life with De La as a backdrop.

The first book about De La Soul, High and Rising shows that De La Soul is Black history, American history, world history, our history. This is a tale about staying the course, and how holding true to your virtue can lead to dynamic results.

To join the event in person | Doors will open 30 minutes before the program begins. For free events, we generally overbook to ensure a full house. Priority will be given to those who have registered in advance, but registration does not guarantee admission. All registered seats are released shortly before start time, and seats may become available at that time. A standby line will form 30 minutes before the program.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Kathy Iandoli is a critically acclaimed, award-winning hip-hop journalist and author of God Save the Queens: The Essential History of Women in Hip-Hop, Baby Girl: Better Known as Aaliyah, co-author of Eve's memoir Who's That Girl? and Lil’ Kim’s forthcoming memoir The Queen Bee. She has written for numerous publications including Billboard, Paper, Teen Vogue, the Village Voice, Rolling Stone, and many more. Kathy is also a documentarian, producing film projects on women in Hip-Hop for the likes of the BBC and Netflix, including the award-winning series Ladies First. Kathy is a seasoned media coach to the stars, incorporating practices of life coaching and mental health into her sessions. A professor of music business at New York University, Kathy routinely serves as a TV and radio pundit for discussions on hip-hop and gender. She lives in the New York metropolitan area.

Marcus J. Moore  is an esteemed music journalist, editor, event curator, professor, and author of two books: The Butterfly Effect: How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America (2020), and High and Rising (A Book About De La Soul) (2024), the latter a blend of cultural biography, memoir, and critical analysis. Marcus has been a contributing writer with The Nation and a senior editor with Bandcamp Daily, a platform he helped launch. He co-leads the "5 Minutes That Will Make You Love..." series at The New York Times, a monthly column that highlights different legends, record labels, subgenres and instruments in jazz.

GET THE BOOKS

• Borrow: Who's That Girl NYPL Catalog


• Borrow: High and Rising  NYPL Catalog


• E-Book app: SimplyE, available on iOS and Android


• This event will also include signing and sales of the book by our Library Shop.

Don't have a New York Public Library card? Get one here!

ACCESSIBILITY NOTES

In-Person

• Assistive listening devices and/or hearing loops are available at the venue.


• You can request a free ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation or CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) captioning service by emailing your request at least two weeks in advance of the event: email accessibility@nypl.org or use this Gmail template.


• This venue is fully accessible to wheelchairs.

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Please submit all press inquiries to Connor Goodwin at least 48 hours before the event: email connorgoodwin@nypl.org.
 

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All programs are subject to change or cancellation. All programs are subject to recording and photography.

The 7 Stories Up Series at SNFL is made possible by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).

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