Charis and The Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History present legendary MC Rakim for a reading and signing of his new book, Sweat the Technique: Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius.

One could look at hip hop as having two eras—Before Rakim and After Rakim. His arrival on the scene added layers, complexity, depth, musicality, and soul to rap. He discovered a new path for MCs. He changed the way MCs rhyme more than anyone ever has. He was calm on the mic and he was complicated with his rhyme patterns—he used multisyllabic rhymes and internal rhymes—and he was undeniably brilliant. He could tell a story about a man down on his luck going out to look for a job and turn it into an epic tale and an unforgettable rhyme. Rakim is not just a great songwriter—he’s one of the great writers in modern America, period.

This part memoir, part practical writing guide shows anyone how to write better, while entertaining them with rich, engaging stories from Rakim’s life that shaped him as a writer. It offers insight into how he thinks about words, music, and writing. He tells stories of his childhood, growing up in Long Island, the youngest of five in a home filled with musicians, including his mother, a classically trained opera singer. He was a rambunctious teenager who was locked up for

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