Author Description

"With a cast of characters ranging from Malcolm X to 50 Cent, Knight's work is the first detailed account of the movement inextricably linked with black empowerment, Islam, New York, and hip hop. Containing unrivalled insider access to the movement's elders, oral histories, and community literature, this fast-paced investigation uncovers the Five Percenters' icons and heritage, and examines their growing influence in urban American youth culture." "Including coverage of Brooklyn turf gangs, the Attica prison uprising, 1980s crack empires, and the stars of Five Percenter rap, Knight explores the origins and development of this controversial community, and reveals the hidden reality behind the myths, rumours, and hearsay."--BOOK JACKET.