Martha Cooper's 'Hip Hop Files' is a really must have for not only anyone that's interested in hip hop as a culture or how it emerged as a lifestyle in the 80s. Spanning a 5 year period from 1979 - 1984, Martha captures the spirit and the scene beautifully with her photos broken down in photo chapters, 'Hip Hop Files' chronicles all aspects of the urban scene of that period, from The B Boys to the MCs, the Downtown scene of the Roxy and Danceteria, The Media, The Style and who cannot mention, Graffiti Art. The commentary and blurps are priceless, as is this book, which you'll find yourself, as I have, looking at it for countless hours.